Bio

Q: How did you choose your career in pediatric anesthesiology, and what steps did you take to embark on this career path after your physics degree?

A: I had always wanted to become a doctor and planned to apply to medical school once I had the prerequisites finished.  I knew that lots of chemistry and biology courses were going to be required and so I chose to minor in biology.  But I also really loved learning about space, astronomy, and astrophysics. I was fascinated by quantum mechanics and other crazy things I read about in books such as “A Brief History of Time” and “The Elegant Universe.”  Although I knew that I wouldn’t necessarily be involved in physics as a career, I decided to take my opportunity during undergrad to explore this whole other field of study.  Pursuing the BA in Physics and Astrophysics gave me access to all those really awesome physics courses while also allowing time to pursue a biology minor.

Q: How has your physics degree shaped and helped your career?

A: It certainly set me apart from all the other biology majors out there when it came time to apply for medical school. I like to credit it for helping me to get in. But more than that, I think Physics teaches you how to think and how to learn.  Learning how to study and pass those courses sets you up for success in whatever you may study in the future. 

Q: What do you like most about being a pediatric anesthesiologist?

A: I love taking care of kids. They are a unique challenge in the operating room in many ways, such as the unique diseases and surgical conditions they bring (adults very rarely find themselves with Legos in their windpipe, for example) and also for the skills needed to help a child get over their fear and successfully get through an operation. I find that highly rewarding.

Q: Can interested students contact you for more information on your career path?

A: I'd be happy to answer any questions by email to jdegani at gmail dot com