Meet Deborah Houk, MD | Internal Medicine Physician, Medical Correspondent, & Philanthropist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Deborah Houk, MD and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Deborah, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
As a medical doctor, early in my career when I was working long hours and had many demands on my time during training, maintaining work-life balance was a challenge. It was more work than life, and that was difficult to endure. As I progressed in my career, I began to have more control over my schedule and was able to achieve a better work-life balance, and then I started having kids, which changed everything again.

Starting my family had a significant impact on my balance between work and life. What made things more challenging was the fact that over a 4 year span, I had 4 kids! My current situation is that I have 4 young children, the oldest of which is 4 years old, the middle two are identical twins who are 2 years old, and my youngest just turned 8 months old, all of which understandably require a significant amount of time and attention. As a physician, this is even more challenging as my career is also very demanding and I struggle to find the right balance between work and family.

I’ve found that self care has been an important aspect of maintaining work-life balance for me. Taking care of myself physically, emotionally, and mentally has been essential for me to avoid burnout and maintain a happy home life as well. For me, self care includes exercising regularly, engaging in activities outside of work, spending time with my family and friends, regular spa days, and seeking support and mentorship from colleagues.

I think my balance between work and life is always in flux, but I do my best to stay as balanced as I can. By prioritizing self care and actively finding ways to maintain a healthy work-life balance, especially during the challenging times like starting a family with young children, I am able to continue to provide quality care to my patients while also enjoying the fruits of my labor with a fulfilling personal life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an internal medicine hospitalist who works at both of the major hospitals in Naples, FL. I am set apart from others by my commitment to excellence, which started from a very young age, when I decided to strive for the best in everything I did. I went to college at Stanford University, where I achieved both my bachelors degree in biological sciences and my masters degree in biology within 4 years. I then went to medical school at George Washington University where I did cardiology research and graduated with my Medical Doctorate with a concentration in Community and Urban Health. From there, I went to New Haven, CT for internal medicine residency at Yale. None of it was easy, but I committed myself to excellence in all that I did, and that commitment motivated me to get through. Along the way, I learned lessons on how to be more resilient, how to be more mindful, and how to be more dedicated. I want the world to know that I am here to do a great job, I am here to provide exceptional health care, and I have the experience, training, and know-how to do it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of my best friends recently visited me in Naples for the first time. She was my college roommate, for 3 years straight. We not only shared a dorm room, but we also shared an interest for becoming a doctor. We completed humbio core together, both went on to complete masters degrees at Stanford, and then went on to medical school and residency. She ended up becoming a pediatrician while I became an internal medicine doctor, and we both married doctors as well. We are now both mothers, and we got to see each other for a short visit very recently, where I showed her some of the most fun, interesting, exciting people, places, and things in Naples. If I could plan 5 days with her, I would plan the following:

Day 1
– Start the day with breakfast at The Rooster then head to Naples Botanical Garden for a morning walk among the beautiful flora and fauna. We could have lunch at the Dock at Crayton Cove, which provides waterfront dining with fresh seafood. And then in the evening I would take her for a stroll along 5th avenue south, which is lined with shops, restaurants, and a banner with my picture on it.

Day 2
– We would start with a guided tour of the Everglades National Park to see alligators, panthers, and other wildlife. Then, we would catch lunch at Captain and Krewe Seafood Market and Raw Bar. In the evening, we would head to an early dinner at Bricktops in Mercato, then head to Artis Naples to catch a show or concert,

Day 3
– A trip to Marco Island would be nice for day 3. We could explore the beaches, then have lunch at CJ’s on the bay, which has an amazing view of the Gulf of Mexico. From there we could go to the Marco Island Historical Museum and learn about the islands history, and in the evening we could do a sunset dinner cruise on Marco Island Princess.

Day 4
– On day 4, I could take my friend for a guided tour of the Naples Zoo at Carribean Gardens, then have lunch at Caffe Milano on 5th Avenue South, which has the most amazing and authentic italian cuisine. Later, we would head up to La Playa Beach and Golf Resort for some dinner and live music in its club level, members only dining suite.

Day 5
For the 5th day, we would head to the beach in the morning. From there, we would head to a spa like Woodhouse or Naples Grande to get some self-care and relaxation. For lunch we’d try the Bay House, which has a stunning view of the Gulf. After the kids have their naps, we would head to the Galisano Children’s Museum, and then we’d drop the kids off at home and go to dinner at Sea Salt for their contemporary American cuisine and seafood.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My story wouldn’t be my story without the support of my husband, Dr. Ryan Houk. Ryan has been there with me through the thickest of the thick and the thinnest of the thin. His support has made the difference in maintaining my motivation and achieving my success. Ryan has provided me with emotional support, love, and encouragement during times of stress and uncertainty. The fact that he is also a physician has helped as well because he has a heightened level of understanding and ability to support me through the unique challenges that being a doctor entails. He has been there to guide me and advise me whenever needed, he’s my in-house cardiology consult, and he’s been there with me through the early career stages like in residency, when I was still learning and developing my skills. Ultimately, Ryan is more than my shoutout, he deserves so much credit and recognition for his impact in my life. I am forever grateful for him.

Website: https://linktr.ee/debhoukmd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbiechi

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-houk-026738189

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DebHoukMD/

Image Credits
Pure Fotografica BurtsBeesBaby Kelly Goggin Photography Kelly Goggin Photography