Being a doctor wasn’t always what Dr. Mary Doellman, an Ear, Nose, & Throat (ENT) physician at Quincy Medical Group (QMG), had in mind. As a child, her first dream was to be a roller skate waitress, but she quickly discovered that roller skating wasn’t her talent.
“I remember failing miserably with the skates, but my mom had purchased a Playskool microscope. That was the beginning. We played with that for hours,” Dr. Doellman shared.
This early curiosity led her to tell her mother one day on the way to kindergarten that she wanted to be a scientist. However, she also loved being around people and realized that working alone behind a microscope might not suit her. A pivotal moment came in fourth grade when she had her tonsils removed, making her realize that maybe being a doctor was in her future.
“Back then, they would let you take the specimen home if you asked. I took mine to show-and-tell two weeks later. My mom was upset, but I think that was the first sign I was meant to be an ENT,” she said.
Dr. Doellman’s career was shaped not only by her early fascination with science but also by the influence of strong women who guided her. Her mother was a constant source of support. During her residency, Dr. Doellman found a mentor in Dr. Cecelia Schmalbach, a female Head and Neck specialist who now serves as the editor-in-chief of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery journals.
Dr. Schmalbach’s advice and advocacy helped Dr. Doellman navigate the challenges of residency, particularly when she faced the pressure of in-service exams and demanding rotations.
“She pulled out some of her personal study materials and said, ‘Don’t give them any more excuses to give you a hard time.’ Behind closed doors, she would advocate for me,” Dr. Doellman recalled.
Dr. Doellman’s military experience has also played a significant role in shaping her approach to medicine and leadership.
“One thing the military teaches you is how to adapt,” she explained, noting that the constant changes in staff during her residency exposed her to various ways of doing things. This adaptability, combined with the leadership training she received in the Army, has been instrumental in her medical career.
“The military was also very good at instilling leadership pillars throughout training. That is something many physicians don’t get exposure to,” she added.
For young women aspiring to become doctors or pursue careers in STEM, Dr. Doellman offers sage advice.
“It can be done and is getting better, but it’s still a challenge. Many times, I felt like I was expected to work like I wasn’t a mom and expected to be a mom like I didn’t work. Hiring help doesn’t make you a failure or a bad mom/wife/person. My time is my most valuable resource; if it gives me time, it has value. Don’t forget that,” she said.
Beyond this, Dr. Doellman emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and staying true to oneself. “What other people think about you is their personal business. I don’t get involved in other people’s personal business. My job is to be okay with myself. That is my business,” she said.
To learn more about Dr. Doellman, click here.
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