A little girl's dream
When I think back to my earliest memories, one vivid scene stands out: a quiet evening in our living room, scattered with my toy stethoscope, bandages, and reflex hammer. I was just five years old, but that day, I decided I would become a real doctor. “Mommy, I want to be a doctor when I am big. Can I do this since I am a girl?” My mother smiled broadly and gave me a big hug. She reassuringly said, “Of course, honey. Girls can be doctors too.” I was so happy and relieved.
Those evenings were filled with laughter and imagination, but they also planted a seed deep within me. As I played doctor, I felt a connection to something greater than myself—a desire to help, to heal, and to make a difference. It was a simple game, but to me, it felt like a calling. As I grew older, that seed blossomed into a dream.
I started school and gravitated to the sciences. I would constantly, to my classmates' annoyance, raise my hand to ask “why?” I needed to know how everything worked, and I savored every morsel of information I could gobble up. In high school and college, I gravitated toward service. I volunteered at a home for adults with disabilities, sang songs in senior centers, worked as a resident assistant, and planned fun activities through student council. I realized I was most fulfilled when I could provide a helping hand or make a classmate smile.
As I reflect on my career in medicine, I am taken back to the beginning: a love of science, a need for human connection, and a desire to help others. Unfortunately, the healthcare system today is not conducive to the type of care I wish to provide. In recent years, hospital-based primary care has become increasingly strained by heavy patient loads, rushed appointments, and administrative burdens. System-based healthcare has shifted its focus to meeting quotas, adhering to complex regulations, and maximizing profit margins. Sadly, this is not the world of medicine I dreamed of at 5 years old.
As I say, “Always focus on your priorities, and you can’t go awry.” When I decided to open my own medical practice, that’s exactly what I did. My main priorities are to be the best mom and doctor that I can be. It hasn’t been an easy journey, but I am so proud of the high-quality healthcare that I can give to my patients. I have more time to listen to patients, hear their stories, uncover illnesses, research treatment plans, and make their lives a little nicer. Together we are building lasting, caring relationships built on trust and mutual respect. For my 3 sweet daughters, I have shown them how to set goals, work hard, and make their own dreams come true. Through support, love, and encouragement, we are rooted together and building a brighter future for our family.
Today, I carry my childhood memories with me. My mother’s gentle encouragement and the joy of playing doctor in our living room are reminders of why I chose this path. It all began with a little imagination, a toy stethoscope, and a loving mom who nurtured my dreams. By opening 3 Roots Concierge Medicine, I am thrilled to enter this new chapter in my career. I am finally seeing my little girl dreams come true!
Dr. Alison Neff
