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Building and maintaining relationships is important to me. As an introvert, one of the ways in which I work on professional relationships is by attending professional conferences each year. One organization that is near and dear to my heart is the Student National Medical Association. This organization was pivotal to my success as a medical student and consequently as a physician. When I became an attending, it was imperative for me to volunteer with this organization and I had the awesome opportunity to serve on their Board of Directors for four years. During my term, I re-connected with Dr. Renee Volny-Darko, a kindred spirit in Obstetrics and Gynecology, a believer in student mentorship and an advocate for health equity. As part of her practice, Renee had worked as a locums physician while transitioning from one position to another. It should be no surprise that when I started to consider a career doing locums tenens that I reached out to her to share her experience. She was straightforward, honest and encouraged me to follow my path.
A little over a year later, I received a call from Renee. She and her husband had decided not do only work as locums physicians but also to start their own locums company! She asked me if I wanted to work with them and I said, “Of course!” They offered me a position in Altoona, PA. I’ve traveled to Altoona a few times now. Historically a railroad town in the middle of the state, the town is one of many working to redefine themselves now that the major industry has changed. It is still the home the historic Horseshoe Curve built by the Pennsylvania Railroad. However, the corners are now populated with Sheetz, a convenience store chain who house their corporate headquarters in Altoona. Two hours from Pittsburgh and 4 hours from Philadelphia, Altoona has its own unique and inviting personality.
For that reason, the Darkos have decided to stay in Altoona as they work to grow their business. They have focused on recruiting physicians who are patient focused and team players with the goal of optimizing the experience for the physicians and the employer. Working with Renee and Nii is like working with family. And recently, the couple grew their family of two to three… Not only balancing practicing medicine, running a company, they are now the proud parents of a bouncing baby boy!
Today, I would like to learn more from Renee and Nii, partners in love and work, about how they are living their best life.
- Tell us a little about yourselves and your family.
We have been together for almost 15 years and married 4 years this November. We’ve accomplished many things together, but our greatest accomplishment is our soon-to-be four-month-old baby boy. Nii grew up partly in Queens, NY and Irvington, NJ. Renée grew up in Brooklyn, NY. We met in Kansas City, MO, where we attended and graduated from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and obtained a Masters of Business Administration from Rockhurst University. Nii trained in general surgery at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta and trauma/critical care in Miami. Renée trained in OB/GYN at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in NJ.
We decided to work in Altoona after Nii had a locums experience there. Being newly married, it was important to us to be at a place that we liked and to be at the same hospital so that we could see each other even if our work schedules got busy. We did not want to live like two ships passing in the night. It has worked out very well for us!
- What is the most rewarding aspect of medicine for you?
Medicine has been a wonderful way for us to contribute to society both nationally and globally. Having worked primarily in underserved areas of the US, we are happy that we are helping to fill the gaps of medical care in communities in need. We have also done medical missions in Ghana with an organization called the International Healthcare Volunteers (IHCV). IHCV is a very rewarding experience because of its focus on educational exchange between US and Ghanaian doctors. We love to teach the Ghanaian doctors, residents, and medical students, but we learn so much from them as well. The impact of any mission is not measured in the number of patient encounters, but in the improving health of a nation as a result of education.
- How do you balance career, advocacy and parenting?
That’s a tough one! Being deliberate about balance is key. It won’t just happen organically. Early in our marriage, we established our family as our first priority. Nii worked full-time and Renée worked part-time, again, so that we could optimize our time together. If something interferes with our ability to live happily as a family, it’s not an option for us. Starting our locums company, Equal Access Health, has played an important role in giving us the balance that we need to be doctors, advocates, and parents. Working strictly as a locums physician allowed Renée the flexibility she needed during her pregnancy and now for us both to be home with our son as often and as long as we want. We’re also more free to spend extended visits with our parents and siblings. We have more time to work with IHCV on future plans to provide more continuous care and education in Ghana. We’re always reassessing our balance to ensure that we don’t over-extend ourselves.
- What advice do you have for young physicians as they start their careers?
Allow yourself to dream beyond the traditional practice of medicine. We are seeing very tragic repercussions of physician burnout. We are only human. It’s ok to be unconventional in your practice (like locums, part-time, or concierge) to fulfill your basic needs. We also encourage docs to have interests other than medicine. Our non-clinical ventures include the locums company, a podcast, a pre-med consultation service, and a lifestyle blog. We enjoy being doctors, but we have other talents that we’d like to explore.
- Mentorship is important to both of you. How would you encourage professionals to stay connected to those still in training or early in their careers?
Remember that receiving and providing mentorship is lifelong. We both have mentors and we both continue to mentor. Like life balance, making a deliberate effort to maintain mentoring relationships is the key to staying connected. Continue to stay involved with your alma mater and student organizations. Look for opportunities to teach or precept residents.
https://www.equalaccesshealth.net/
