As a child I would reenact rescue scenes from the 1970s show "Emergency!". By 22 years old I was a flight paramedic. At 3 AM in freezing temperatures we landed on the interstate responding to a motor vehicle accident and I realized I wanted to do even more for patients. I entered medical school in 1995, later to be the chief resident in anesthesia, followed by a fellowship in pain management. I am a double board-certified, fellowship trained pain specialist. My exposure providing obstetric anesthesia inspired me to pursue pain management. I was gratified to relieve a patient's excruciating pain with an epidural procedure, providing a more comfortable birth. Colleagues and fellow students or nurses requesting me specifically was encouraging. This experience gave me motivation to seek a career in the relief of pain and suffering.