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Portraits from AAWR |
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Linda K. Olson, MD, FACR – 1991 Marie Sklodowska - Curie Awardee
I’ve spent my entire career in one place with the perfect position for my interests and skills. I arrived at UCSD in an era when the pace allowed my “elders” to provide guidance and support and when my performance evaluations were dependant on teaching and clinical productivity. My mentors were people like Drs. George Leopold, Bob Berk, Elliott Lasser, Lee Talner, Jack Forrest, Paul Friedman and Barbara Gosink. They made the workplace a fun and challenging place to be. In addition, since we‘ve attracted top-notch residents over the years, I’ve had the privilege and pleasure of working with the future leaders of our profession. The residents not only entertained me but also taught me things that I’d never have learned on my own. For example, ten years ago I didn’t know how to turn on a computer. Because of their know-how and patience, I’ve successfully entered the PACs era and thanks to them will hopefully extend my career for many more years because of these skills.
Who had the biggest influence on your career? My radiologic mentor says that he is my “Radiologic Father” and he is right. Thirty-one years ago Dr. Ike Sanders showed me that a radiologist could be an integral part of the medical team. My vivid memory of him is watching him look at a series of films in his office, telephone in hand, discussing the case with the referring doc and a gaggle of residents and students hovering over him hoping to see the findings on the film. I’m grateful to his rambunctious, entertaining, demanding and compassionate teaching of the practice of Radiology. The other equally important influence on my career has been my husband, Dr. David Hodgens. Two years after we were married I lost both my legs and one arm in an accident. The first thing he said to me in the ICU was “I didn’t marry your arms and your legs. If you can do it, I can do it.” And boy did he ever “do it.” While maintaining a busy full-time Radiation Oncology practice, he supported my having a full-time academic radiology job and a family. Because of my disability, he often did the physical work at home of two adults so that we could always have a good time. He taught me how to use each other’s strengths, how to confront situations head-on, and how to keep work and home separate as much as possible. I can’t count the times he listened to me practice a lecture and give me constructive criticism. In addition we’ve lived more outdoor adventures than most people ever even dream of. So the picture I chose for inclusion of the 25 th AAWR celebration is a picture of Dave carrying me up the trail to Nevada Falls in Yosemite National Park. I think it typifies our wonderful journey through life together. Thank you Dave. What would be your most important advice to your junior colleague? Maintain the highest standards of work quality, efficiency, and teamwork so that your colleagues never feel that they are making up for you or that having a woman means having someone who doesn’t work as hard as everyone else. Remember the 3 A’s: accessibility, affability, ability, especially in the PACs era. Make yourself an indispensable part of the health care team in your hospital.
Linda K. Olson, M D FACR is Professor of Clinical Radiology at the University of California San Diego
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