Persecution, oppression, political repression, immigration, I experienced them all. Born in Communist Romania at a time when being a Jew was almost criminal, my father brought us to the US for a better life in the early 1960's. Entry into the US was as difficult then as it is now. We waited 18 months before we were granted a visa. To some Paris, France is a symbol of romance and adventure. For my family, as we waited, it was a refuge from political tyranny. A shelter, but one with immeasurable hardships. We lived in abject poverty, relying on the generosity of Jewish philanthropists. At first New York was not much better. But over time, through my father’s hard work and his insistence we become Americans, our social and financial situation improved. Bullied in school, I survived and went on to college. I graduated from NYU with a BA and got my MD from the GW School of Medicine in 1980. Tuition was expensive. Better off, we were not rich. To pay for it all I applied for and received the Health Professionals Scholarship from the US Army. I trained in my specialty (ENT) at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I served both Stateside and Overseas. I was at Landstuhl, Germany during Somalia and Desert Storm. Throughout my medical career, both military and civilian, I also had time to raise a family. I’m proud of my two children. Pleased with all I have achieved; I seek the next challenge
