There are many misconceptions about preventive medicine. How do you describe your job as a preventive medicine physician to patients, friends, and family?

"I agree; I get asked about what preventive medicine is quite a bit. My family was under the impression that I would only be giving vaccines and performing screening tests. I describe preventive medicine as promoting, protecting, and maintaining health and well-being to prevent disability, disease, and premature death. I explain how preventive medicine physicians have experience in public health and can provide clinical care like other physicians. I also explain how my goal is to prevent health issues before there is a need to treat them."