Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr. Eva Cesnek, a practicing family medicine physician for 15 years. She is also a nutritionist, a podcast host, and a bestselling author. Today Dr. Erkeda chats with Dr. Cesnek about her medical journey and her apprenticeship experience in infertility medicine.
- [00:54] Dr. Cesnek’s Medical Journey and Background
- [04:04] Why Family Medicine?
- [05:40] Infertility Medicine and Technology
- [12:23] Don’t Delay Family Planning
- [14:40] Ways to Practice Family Medicine
- [17:09] Dr. Cesnek’s Passions Outside of Medicine
- [21:36] Dr. Cesnek’s Advice to Pre-meds and Medical Students
Dr. Cesnek’s Medical Journey and Background
Dr. Cesnek’s family were political refugees that immigrated to the United States. They did not have a comfortable lifestyle, as her parents found it difficult to find work. Another added challenge was the language barrier but they eventually learned English. Carrying her family’s hope for a better life, Dr. Cesnek applied the strong work ethic she inherited from her parents to fulfill her dream of becoming a physician.
Family Medicine and the Different Ways to Practice
Family medicine is a versatile specialty where you can practice surgery, OBGYN, pediatrics.and geriatrics. It’s the perfect field for Dr. Cesnek because she strives to be an expert in all those fields.
At first, family medicine can seem daunting because of the constantly changing experiences but you’ll gain confidence in time.
Understanding Infertility and Family Planning
Dr. Cesnek revealed that she struggled with infertility post-residency. She approached an OBGYN but was deferred to an infertility specialist. The specialist was not able to point out the cause of infertility and instead suggested in vitro fertilization. Frustrated, Dr. Cesnek did an apprenticeship in infertility medicine to learn more about herself and to help her patients. After her apprenticeship, she gained a better understanding about infertility medicine and its new evidence based techniques. She is now able to provide more insight and solutions to her patients who are suffering from reproduction issues.
Dr. Cesnek encourages students and physicians to address any infertility concerns immediately. Health professionals often put the needs of others before themselves. With infertility, it’s easier to address issues when you’re younger. Conduct family planning sooner rather than later.
Got questions, feedback, or suggestions? Send a message to Dr. Erkeda DeRouen’s Instagram or MedSchoolCoach’s Instagram.
