Advocate Aurora Health celebrates National Doctor’s Day

National Doctor’s Day is observed on March 30th. Today, and every day, we recognize our physicians at Advocate Aurora Health for their passion and dedication to helping people live well. Watch the videos below to hear some inspiring stories and quotes from physicians across our system in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Dr. Azmey Matarieh, a cardiologist at Advocate Heart Institute, reveals what drove him to pursue a career in medicine and shares a message for our team members, patients and communities on National Doctor’s Day. Read more of his story here.

Dr. Patricia Morales Brost, a family medicine physician at Aurora Health Center in Oshkosh, WI, feels grateful her patients consider her part of their family. She speaks on the importance of connecting with patients and shares her vaccine experience on National Doctor’s Day. Read more of her story here.

Dr. Desler Javier, an internal medicine specialist at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, discovered his true calling was building relationships with patients to help them avoid chronic diseases like heart disease and obesity. These same diseases put his patients at higher risk of developing severe consequences of COVID-19. He urges everyone to step up and get vaccinated when it’s their turn. Read more of his story here.

When Dr. Senait Tesfai-Barker reflects on her journey to become a primary care physician, she thinks of how her experiences in education made her a better doctor. She shares what inspired her to transition into medicine on National Doctor’s Day. Read more of her story here.

Dr. Justin Cohen, a urologist in Libertyville, IL and chair of Advocate Physician Partners, reflects on what it means to be a physician. Read more of his story here.

Dr. Deanna Behrens is a pediatric critical care physician at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge, caring for the sickest children. Her passion, fueled by the desire to create meaningful connections with kids and families, drives her to partner with colleagues across the country to advocate for pediatric health. While kids are not currently able to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Behrens explains that as adults, we can help protect our most vulnerable populations, like children, by stepping up and getting the vaccine when it’s our turn. Read more of her story here.

Dr. Peter Han feels privileged to be a gastroenterology specialist at Aurora Medical Center in Kenosha, WI. He feels it’s his job to make sure his patients’ health concerns don’t get in the way of life’s special moments. Dr. Han shares the little things we can do to help ourselves, our loved ones and our communities live well. Read more of his story here.

The best part of Dr. Emelie Ilarde’s job as a family medicine physician and Advocate Physician Partner in Oak Lawn is caring for patients from birth through adulthood. She shares that part of her responsibility to keep her patients and fellow team members safe was to get vaccinated. Dr. Ilarde urges her patients and community to also step up when it’s their turn. Read more of her story here.

Having an impact on how people feel about themselves inspires Dr. Pamela Portschy. As a plastic surgeon with Aurora Plastic Surgery in Sheboygan, she believes the mind and body should be in harmony. Dr. Portschy shares what makes her job so rewarding ahead of National Doctor’s Day. Read more of her story here.

Dr. Senora Nelson, a family medicine physician and clinical medical director at the Advocate Medical Group South East Clinic in Chicago, shares her calling on National Doctor’s Day. Read more of her story here.

Have a doctor you want to recognize? Give them a shout out in the comments below!