Why the Self-Made Person is Flawed with Dr. John M. Flack

John M. Flack, MD, MPH, is the Sergio Rabinovich Endowed Chair of Internal Medicine and the Professor and Chair, Department of Medicine as well as the Chief of Hypertension Specialty Services at the Southern Illinois University. He also serves as the President of the American Hypertension Specialist Certification Program. Dr. Flack received his internal medicine residency training as well as his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, where he served as chief medical resident. He then completed an NIH postdoctoral fellowship in cardiovascular epidemiology at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Dr. Flack has led various clinical trials and has been the recipient of a number of research grants including several grants funded by the NIH. He is a renowned hypertension specialist with more than 200 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Flack also serves on the editorial board of many peer-reviewed Journals including the American Journal of Hypertension. Among his many honors, Dr Flack has been repeatedly named in Top Doctors, Detroit's Super Doctors and Hour Magazine Best Doctors lists. There is no such thing as a self-made person. Today, Dr. John M. Flack reminds us that acknowledging the people who have guided us to success does not take away from our accomplishments. He also shares his perspective on work/life balance (Hint: In medical school, there isn’t one). And why mentorship is not about getting a pat on the back: We have to be willing to accept constructive criticism. Lastly, he believes the key to staying motivated in medicine is an insatiable appetite for learning. Pearls of Wisdom: 1. An insatiable appetite for learning is the key to staying motivated in medicine. 2. Be open to choosing mentors who are different than you, who can offer you open and honest feedback, and be willing to accept constructive criticism. 3. The “self-made person” is a flawed concept: Be grateful to all of the people who have contributed to your success along your way.