Noteworthy Neurology: Dr. Postels travels to Malawi

Ten years ago, I changed careers. Well, not changed really. I veered careers.

After university and medical school, I trained as a pediatric neurologist. Finishing a program focused almost exclusively on patient care, seeing patients in the USA was the only thing I knew. For the next 12 years I saw children with neurological disorders all day, five days per week, first in New Orleans and then in Albuquerque. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it. Like most people, I got through it. Fortunately, when in New Mexico, I began to do some intermittent volunteer work outside of the United States. I enjoyed stepping outside of my personal and professional comfort zones, albeit temporarily. Eventually I figured out the professional life I had, seeing patients all day every day in the USA, was not the one I was meant to be living.

So, I quit. I resigned my job, sold my house and car, and put everything into storage. I joined MSF/ Doctors without Borders and moved to the DR Congo. It was great (www.dougpostels.blogspot.com). But after my time working for an NGO was finished, what was I supposed to do next? I didn’t want to return to my old life in New Mexico. Fortunately, an unforeseen opportunity arose. While living in Africa I was recruited by a Big 10 University to join their faculty. I was to study for a Masters in Epidemiology (to learn research skills) and start working in Africa with other University faculty members. Perfect! I could work in Malawi, Ghana, and Uganda, for 3 months per year. I studied hard and got my degree. I applied for grants and got turned down over and over, but even so I enjoyed the transition into research. Thinking up research ideas and implementing them was creative, in a scientifically geeky way. I worked hard and it paid off. Eventually, the manuscripts got published and the grants got funded. But after a few years working in Michigan, I needed to move (for personal reasons) and began looked around. Who would hire a pediatric neurologist who works 3-6 months per year off site?

As it turns out, not many places. But Children’s National in Washington DC took the bait and bit the hook. And so here I am. I work as a Children’s National pediatric neurologist and have the greatest job in the world. I get to creatively make up new research projects for both myself and others (residents, medical students, other faculty), I teach both in the USA and in Africa, and I see child neurology patients in both geographic locations, too.

It’s a blast. Come join me.

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