Dr. Magner
My career in medicine began at the age of 16 with my first summer job. I was hired as a nurse's aide at our local hospital and that experience encouraged me to pursue a career in nursing. I graduated from D'Youville College in Buffalo, NY with a BS RN degree in nursing in 1970. My first job was in the medical / surgical ICU at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester NY. Following the next year of successive blizzards, I decided to move to Honolulu Hawaii, and quickly found employment as an ER and ICU nurse at Straub Clinic and Hospital. In 1974 I was presented with an opportunity to enter a pre med program and was admitted to the John A Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, graduating in 1980.
Saying Aloha to the Islands, I headed to Columbus Ohio where I completed my internship and residency training at Ohio State University, Columbus Children's Hospital in 1983. Following almost a year as Chief Resident and ER attending I moved to CT and joined Dr. Golenbock in practice in 1984. We reformulated the practice when Dr.Machado joined us in 1990 and became The Center for Pediatric Medicine in 1992. The rest is History!
It is hard to put into words what my medical career has meant to me. I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to help others; especially to go the journey with children and their parents! Following retirement I've realized an extra special joy in my life now with former patients spanning the age range of 20+ to 40 year olds coming up to greet me and ask if I remember them! It's a chance to remember events important in both our lives.
I am enjoying retirement as well now with volunteer activities. I am Board Chair and consulting pediatrician for Families Network of Western CT. whose mission is prevention of child abuse through parent education and support. I also volunteer at Malta House in Norwalk which is a transitional home to support mothers and babies needing a safe and nurturing environment. As well I am a member of The Order of Malta, a lay religious order dating back to the 11th century whose mission is service to the poor and the sick. I'm privileged to be part of the medical team on our annual Pilgrimage to Lourdes, bringing those with significant illnesses.
Lastly, I love having the extra time to spend with my family and do some traveling. Making time of course to take walks with my best canine buddy! It's All been a wonderful gift!