What’s In a Name?

A lot goes into deciding a name. Think about a time where you have had the responsibility of assigning a name to something, or even someone. Did you find it challenging? What motivated your name choices? How did you ultimately decide upon THE name? It may be unconventional to share my process in naming my medical practice, but I hope it also conveys the ‘what’s in a name?’.

Early on, I had so many ideas and I was very casually rotating through various names and shared them with a dear friend who, very bluntly, but appropriately, let me know that those words did not evoke something meaningful. She challenged me to make sure it could mean something to everyone.   So I scrapped the previous names and really thought about what I was trying to convey. When I treat people who have diabetes, overweight, obesity, or other metabolic conditions, my goal is to not only treat the condition but to increase an individual’s health. So, I considered verbs such as ‘reclaim’ or ‘revive’. Then, it occurred to me that for some individuals, health may have never really been present, so those verbs may not resonate. But even if health has not been someone’s firm reality, it does not mean that that reality is out of reach.

I recognize that when a person has made the decision to come and meet with me, there is a desire to improve health and that is something that can be accessible to everyone who invests effort into it. Improved health is within, it just needs to be brought forth, summoned. I found that word profoundly inspiring. Within each of us, there is the possibility to summon our health: bring it to the surface.  

So how does one summon health? I think that it relies upon engaging one’s desire for health and connecting with a physician whose expertise and care fosters a mutually trusting and collaborative relationship.  I have seen that once this foundation is set, a person’s determination grows and supported through frequent and personal engagement, health begins to surface. It’s a privilege to be part of that journey. Welcome to Summon Health.