Dr. Eroboghene Ubogu P '21, '23
Q: What challenges have you faced working during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: The biggest challenge has been the restrictions in performing direct specialist neuromuscular medicine care for our patients from a catchment area of over 6 million as necessary to limit viral spread. As a division director, a major challenge has been to rapidly modify faculty and staff work schedules in line with institutional, local, state and federal policies to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible, while being accessible to our patients who rely on us for their specialist care. An ongoing challenge is dealing with the financial uncertainties for the pandemic and effect on faculty/ staff compensation and employment.
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A: The biggest challenge has been the restrictions in performing direct specialist neuromuscular medicine care for our patients from a catchment area of over 6 million as necessary to limit viral spread. As a division director, a major challenge has been to rapidly modify faculty and staff work schedules in line with institutional, local, state and federal policies to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible, while being accessible to our patients who rely on us for their specialist care. An ongoing challenge is dealing with the financial uncertainties for the pandemic and effect on faculty/ staff compensation and employment.
Q: How has your work changed during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: We have transitioned from direct patient care to telemedicine for routine clinic visits in order to provide some level of specialist medical care. This is challenging as most of what we do is hands-on. We perform specialist neuromuscular medicine procedures for a limited number of patients with urgent illnesses or suspected conditions in which an accurate diagnosis could significantly change their outcomes with treatment. We are limited in the extent and scope of laboratory research; however, we continue to work on essential projects initiated several months ago using safe social distancing and appropriate personal protective equipment.
Q: What successes have you celebrated during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: The main success I have celebrated thus far has been the relatively rapid control of community viral spread, and its adverse consequences in the Birmingham metropolitan area due to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) informed coordinated response. The implications of uncontrolled viral spread would have been extremely dire; so the effects of social distancing, personal hygiene/ sanitation, stay-at-home policies and cancellation of large gatherings cannot be over-emphasized, despite the unfortunate loss of lives, especially among the elderly with a disproportionate African-American bias, and major financial implications throughout the state.
A: We have transitioned from direct patient care to telemedicine for routine clinic visits in order to provide some level of specialist medical care. This is challenging as most of what we do is hands-on. We perform specialist neuromuscular medicine procedures for a limited number of patients with urgent illnesses or suspected conditions in which an accurate diagnosis could significantly change their outcomes with treatment. We are limited in the extent and scope of laboratory research; however, we continue to work on essential projects initiated several months ago using safe social distancing and appropriate personal protective equipment.
Q: What successes have you celebrated during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: The main success I have celebrated thus far has been the relatively rapid control of community viral spread, and its adverse consequences in the Birmingham metropolitan area due to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) informed coordinated response. The implications of uncontrolled viral spread would have been extremely dire; so the effects of social distancing, personal hygiene/ sanitation, stay-at-home policies and cancellation of large gatherings cannot be over-emphasized, despite the unfortunate loss of lives, especially among the elderly with a disproportionate African-American bias, and major financial implications throughout the state.
Q: What has been your most challenging moment working in healthcare?
A: The most challenging moment for me has always been telling a patient, their loved ones, or both that they have a terminal illness that lacks any effective treatments.
A: The most challenging moment for me has always been telling a patient, their loved ones, or both that they have a terminal illness that lacks any effective treatments.
Q: What has been your proudest moment working in healthcare?
A: I have experienced many proud moments, but in general, the proudest and most gratifying moments revolve around accurately diagnosing and treating neuromuscular disease patients who have been undiagnosed or inadequately treated for years or decades.
A: I have experienced many proud moments, but in general, the proudest and most gratifying moments revolve around accurately diagnosing and treating neuromuscular disease patients who have been undiagnosed or inadequately treated for years or decades.
Q: When and how did you decide to pursue a career in healthcare?
A: I had always been excellent academically and recollected my parents advised me to become a doctor since I was about eight years old, growing up in Lagos, Nigeria. I recollect being scientifically curious and would plant peanut seeds and watch the germination process frequently. I remember telling my parents that I wanted to become a farmer so I could help people. A few months later, a family friend who was a physician informed me that I could help a lot of people by becoming a doctor due to my academic aptitude and natural curiosity. I was still unsure until I got admission to medical school in London, the United Kingdom, in 1993. I told myself that admission into medical school as an international student, with a less than 5% chance, would be the sign that medicine was my true future vocation. Since then, it has been "all guns blazing" intermixed with the usual ups and downs of life.
Q: What advice would you give Springs students who want to pursue a career in healthcare?
A: It is crucially important to have a passion for what you wish to do professionally, as there will be many challenges and distractions along the way while in school and after graduation. That passion will foster an attitude of personal gratification and keep you on track. Knowledge is key, so I advise Springs students to speak (not text only!) to health care professionals about their personal journeys, read a lot about health care professions to fully understand what it takes to get there and which careers fit best with their interests or personality, and start early by looking into the right schools and courses. It is never too early to seek opportunities to shadow health care professionals at work to gain further insights. You need to be compassionate and be dedicated to serving others and have the drive to persevere through thick and thin to be successful and have longevity in the healthcare industry.
A: I had always been excellent academically and recollected my parents advised me to become a doctor since I was about eight years old, growing up in Lagos, Nigeria. I recollect being scientifically curious and would plant peanut seeds and watch the germination process frequently. I remember telling my parents that I wanted to become a farmer so I could help people. A few months later, a family friend who was a physician informed me that I could help a lot of people by becoming a doctor due to my academic aptitude and natural curiosity. I was still unsure until I got admission to medical school in London, the United Kingdom, in 1993. I told myself that admission into medical school as an international student, with a less than 5% chance, would be the sign that medicine was my true future vocation. Since then, it has been "all guns blazing" intermixed with the usual ups and downs of life.
Q: What advice would you give Springs students who want to pursue a career in healthcare?
A: It is crucially important to have a passion for what you wish to do professionally, as there will be many challenges and distractions along the way while in school and after graduation. That passion will foster an attitude of personal gratification and keep you on track. Knowledge is key, so I advise Springs students to speak (not text only!) to health care professionals about their personal journeys, read a lot about health care professions to fully understand what it takes to get there and which careers fit best with their interests or personality, and start early by looking into the right schools and courses. It is never too early to seek opportunities to shadow health care professionals at work to gain further insights. You need to be compassionate and be dedicated to serving others and have the drive to persevere through thick and thin to be successful and have longevity in the healthcare industry.
Q: What can the Springs community do to help during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Continue to support each other academically and emotionally. Despite the pandemic, there are opportunities for continued academic and intellectual growth (especially with self-directed learning), personal development, and overall wellness. Regular engagement through social media will surely help the Springs community stay connected.
A: Continue to support each other academically and emotionally. Despite the pandemic, there are opportunities for continued academic and intellectual growth (especially with self-directed learning), personal development, and overall wellness. Regular engagement through social media will surely help the Springs community stay connected.
190 Woodward Drive, Indian Springs, Alabama 35124
Phone: 205.988.3350
Indian Springs School, an independent school recognized nationally as a leader in boarding and day education for grades 8-12, serves a talented and diverse student body and offers admission to qualified students regardless of race, gender, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Located in Indian Springs, Alabama, just south of Birmingham, the school does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic and other school-administered programs.
© 2023 Indian Springs School. All Rights Reserved.
© 2023 Indian Springs School. All Rights Reserved.