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Utah Gymnastics' Heroes In Health Care: Lindsay Tanner-Miller
5/21/2020 12:00 PM | Gymnastics
Hear from emergency physician on the frontlines of the pandemic.
Lindsay Tanner-Miller, a Red Rock from 1999-2002, is an Emergency Physician at Riverview Health in Noblesville, Ind. Tanner-Miller has been battling on the frontlines of COVID-19 and shares how the pandemic has affected her work, her personal life and why she continues to fight for her community.Â
What is it like to be on the frontlines of this pandemic? How has COVID-19 affected your work?
What is it like to be on the frontlines of this pandemic? How has COVID-19 affected your work?
Being on the frontlines of this pandemic has been a little bit surreal. It has been both scary and rewarding. Emergency Physicians take pride in managing chaos, quick and decisive problem solving, and doing more with less. We have certainly had the opportunity to do all of this in the last couple of months! We had the benefit of learning from colleagues in other parts of the country that experienced earlier surges. This afforded us a little bit more time for planning and preparation, and I think it has shown in our patient outcomes. It has been a challenge to keep up with the constant changes in workflow and treatment algorithms as our knowledge of the COVID-19 disease process grows. Many of the changes have made our job more difficult.How has being a frontline worker impacted your personal life?
We are treating all patients wearing varying degrees of protective equipment in an effort to protect both ourselves and our patients, which has presented some of the biggest challenges. While there's no question that this is necessary, it makes a profession that requires establishing a trusting relationship feel very impersonal. Delivering bad news is one of the hardest parts of this job. Doing this through multiple layers of protective equipment feels cold and impassive, and doesn't get easier with time or repetition. Human touch and interpersonal connection go a long way in showing empathy, and our current procedures, while unquestionably necessary, have eliminated much of this.
I have been fortunate that I am not in one of the hardest hit areas. We have had the personnel and resources to be able to take care of every patient to the best of our abilities. For that I am so thankful. I work with an amazing team that has risen to the occasion and has been nothing short of amazing in addressing the many challenges presented by this pandemic. It has been a very humbling experience, to say the least.
On a personal level, knowing that I am risking my own health as well as the health of my husband and kids by simply doing my job has been tough to accept. Never have I felt more conflicted between my role as a physician and my role as a wife and mother. This was the biggest struggle for me at the start of the pandemic. In addition to the many procedures at work to minimize the risk of contracting COVID-19, I now have a pretty meticulous routine to decontaminate after each shift before coming into the house. While the uneasiness is still there, it has become our new normal.
What inspires you to continue fighting for others and go to work every day?
What words of encouragement and advice would you give to people at home navigating through this time?In some ways, being able to jump in and contribute to the effort against this global pandemic has actually been comforting. It has been incredibly uplifting to see some of our patients leave the hospital and reunite with their families after lengthy hospitalizations. There has been an outpouring of support from our local community, and I have received so many meaningful words of encouragement from friends and family. These kind gestures have meant so much to me.
What did you learn from your time as a Red Rock that you have carried on throughout your professional career?That's a tough one. This pandemic has affected us all and has affected each of us in a different way. I try to remind myself to be patient, stay positive, and look for the good in this situation. There is so much uncertainty, and it's easy to get wrapped up in the news and current events. While it's great to be informed, I feel it is just as important to get away from it all. Take this opportunity to unplug and connect with family at home, get outside, find a new hobby, and find ways to connect with friends and family to maintain a sense of community. While the last couple of months are not what any of us would have wished for, there are some good lessons that we can take away from this crazy time. I really do think it's a gift to be given this time to slow down and reflect on all that we have, and on the things that are really important. There is so much good in our world, and our fast-paced lifestyles don't leave much time to pause and truly appreciate all of the good that surrounds us.
What is the best part about working as an emergency physician?I can't say enough about my time as a Red Rock. I definitely learned the importance of teamwork. In my years on the team, I was surrounded by many amazing individuals. We pushed each other in the gym and in the classroom. It was such a motivating environment and made better by the fact that my teammates were also my best friends. They are still some of the best people I know and they continue to inspire me. I learned so much more than the sport from our coaches. I remember being surprised the first time I heard Greg say that the championships and accolades weren't the most important part of his career, but instead it was the memories made and experiences had along the way. It took some time for me to understand and appreciate this, but it really resonates with me now. Nothing that's hard is worth doing if you don't enjoy it and fully embrace the whole process. My heart goes out to all of the athletes that had such an abrupt end to their seasons and careers this spring, but I hope that this is something that they will realize as they process these recent events. Lastly, Greg and Megan always stressed the importance of finding balance and joy outside of the gym. Maintaining balance in my life is what kept me sane during some of the more challenging times of my medical training, and is just as important now as a working mom with young kids.
I love the variety and the fast pace. Being an Emergency Physician is never boring. I see patients of all ages and from all walks of life, and there is tremendous variety in the disease processes and injuries that I treat. I never know what my day will bring, which keeps me on my toes. There is an adrenaline rush that comes with managing a life or limb-threatening emergency, and helping a patient obtain a good outcome is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling parts of my job.
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