Why I Became a Doctor

WRITTEN BY JULIE TAYLOR

Despite the challenges one may encounter on the path to becoming a physician, there are distinct and profound reasons for pursuing a career in medicine.It could be a childhood illness, a sick relative or parent, legacy physicians as role models, a love for science or even a dream.

It’s a demanding career requiring years of schooling,constant training and a chaotic schedule, but the challengesand rewards are abundant and often the driving force behindchoosing to become a doctor. For many, medicine is a calling.

Torrance Memorial physicians enthusiastically embracedthe idea of sharing their inspiring stories—which run thegamut from funny and charming to serious and heartbreaking.But they all offer compelling insights into what inspiresa person to choose such a demanding path.

These doctors are living out their dreams and making adifference. They empower patients to take control of theirhealth. They save lives in unexpected emergencies. And theyplay a critical role in the ever-growing field of medicine.

PAULA EBOLI, MD Neurosurgeon & Medical Director, Neuroendovascular Surgery, Lundquist Neurosciences Institute

“During my last years in high school,I wanted to study business, work in aconsulting firm and travel around theworld. One day I had a dream, which Idon’t remember, but I remember wakingup knowing I had to be a doctor. Initially,I didn’t think much about it, but theidea of becoming a doctor kept growinguntil I was fully committed to it. I knewif I studied medicine, it would require my full dedication. Sowhen I decided, I was completely convinced I didn’t want todo anything else. Looking back, that was the best decisionbecause I’m very happy with what I do, and I love being adoctor. I guess you could say I followed my dream!”

MARK LURIE, MD Cardiologist, Medical Director, Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute

“My brother-in-law was aninfluence, but really it was watchingBen Casey—a dramatic doctor TVshow. He was young, intense andan idealistic neurosurgeon. I wasinterested in science, and the wholeidea just grew on me.”

DONNY BAEK, MD Interventional Radiologist

“Growing up, my parents stressed theimportance of excelling in mathematicsand science and instilled in me the valuesof hard work and accountability. Atthe same time, my family and my churchlaid a foundation of strong morals,treating everyone with kindness andrespect and always trying to do what isright above what is wrong. I can thinkof few careers in which all these principles and ethical valuesare more in synchrony than in the practice of medicine. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be a physician, as I trymy best to follow these convictions while working alongsidesome of the most remarkable professionals I have ever met.”

RICHARD KRAUTHAMER, MD Interventional Radiologist

“I lived in an apartment in Brooklynwith my family and grandmother. Shehelped raise me, and when I was ateenager, she was admitted to a smalllocal hospital for massive vomitingof blood. The doctors could not figureout the cause and told us to say ourgoodbyes to her. I thought it was notright that they could not save her. Ivowed I would learn medicine and try to help keep people likeher from dying or at least be able to tell families why theirloved ones died.”

RICHARD BRUCKER, MD Pediatrician

“After seeing a presentation in seventh grade about how to care for rare animalsand getting to hold some of the reptiles thespecialists worked with, I decided I wantedto be a veterinarian. Later, when I was acamp counselor in high school, I learnedhow much I loved working with childrenand decided to make the switch fromanimals to humans.”

BRIAN SHERMAN, MD Internal Medicine and Critical Care

“In my 20s, I was enjoying a successfulcareer in real estate and marketingconsulting while living in Florida. I hadall the trappings of success: a nice house,a boat, a Harley and vacations aroundthe world—but it wasn’t enough. I had alife-threatening medical scare, and it reallywoke me up because although the careI received was good, I felt like it lacked a holistic, humanisticapproach that makes you feel you are part of the process. I felttotally out of control, and I wanted a more meaningful, deeperconnection physically and mentally. So I studied under a LakotaSioux medicine man and spent time studying multiple religionsand cultures, hiking in deep Alaskan bush, going offshoresailing and finally making the commitment to pursue medicine.If I could save one life, my own would be complete.”

RUMI CADER, MD Internal Medicine and Primary Care

“My parents were my inspiration tobe a health care provider. My dad wasan anesthesiologist, and my mom wasa nurse-midwife. Throughout our lives,my brother and I were instilled with theconcept of helping those in need andpracticing the art of healing. Both of usbecame doctors, which has given us thewonderful opportunity to give back to our communities. Ihave been able to do humanitarian work in Sri Lanka andhere in our underserved communities of the City of Angels.Teaching future generations about the art of medicine andthe importance of giving back to the community is somethingI enjoy doing to this day.”

BRENTON BAUER, MD Cardiologist

“Growing up, I was always interested inthe sciences, including the possibility ofgoing into medicine. I did always have a lovefor helping people. However, the fuel thatprovided the initial spark was when I fell illwith severe Crohn’s disease at 13 years oldand was hospitalized. Witnessing firsthandthe daily heroics around me—from thesmallest to the most life-changing and acrossthe spectrum from nurses to physicians to laboratory staff toradiology technicians and many more—was powerful. Ultimately,pursuing medicine was the right path for me, and I’ve neverlooked back.”

TRACY BERCU, MD Chief of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Lead Hospitalist

“I was influenced by my father, who is aphysician. When I was young, he would takeme with him to the hospital when he sawhis patients on the weekends. He alwaysused medical terms around the house, andby the time I was 6 years old, he was havingme give him his required monthly vitaminB12 shot. I always thought I would becomea doctor; however, sometimes things change in life, and I becamean engineer instead. Although I built a successful engineeringcareer, I continually regretted not following what I felt was mytrue calling: becoming a doctor. Then I was diagnosed with breast cancer at a relatively young age, and I realized how short life canbe. Because of this, I left engineering, went to medical school andbecame a physician and have never looked back. Being able to helpothers while using my firsthand knowledge of what it is like tobe a patient is something I consider a gift and would not trade foranything in the world.”

GINA SULMEYER, MD Exceutive Director of Medical Informatics

“I was rescuing injured animals duringmy childhood and felt such joy when I couldreturn them to their lives. Being a teacherand a healer has always been very fulfillingto me, and medicine gave me a path to accomplishboth. Whether with my patients,peers, friends or family, I was inspired froma young age to help.” •