Dr. Mark Rubin, USAP-Colorado
To what do you attribute your success?
I do not think of my career as work or a job, but more of a chance to share my skills as a human and to improve the lives of others. I enjoy what I do—having the ability to affect lives in a positive manner—and I feel it is a tremendous opportunity that I have been lucky enough to find. We are given much trust, opportunity, and care for the very short period of time that we interact with our patients. We then need to have the abilities and knowledge to care and treat in the best way possible.
What do you think is the most important attribute in customer service?
We have numerous customers, including the surgeons, the hospitals, and the patients. I prioritize the patients first. I am their advocate in this process to protect and care for them in the best way that I can. They trust me and I don't take that lightly. I believe they sense this and understand I am here to assist them in this process.
How do you ensure care and patient safety in every case, every day?
I try to empathize with every patient, attempt to allay many of their fears and ease their concerns. I do the typical specifics like eye contact, touch, sitting down to interview, and I discuss and explain as clearly as I can. I also try to make them feel like I am not in a rush. I slow down to let them know they are important to me. I also explain that I am part of a team of people here to care for them. "Please let us know what you need. We are here for you.͚͛Take advantage of us and let us care for you in this difficult process." I try to gain their trust quickly to help them to understand that I take my role seriously and with responsibility.
What do you like best about USAP?
In my short time with USAP, I believe the ability for the doctors to manage the clinical portion of our practice has been the most impressive thing. I went into medicine to practice medicine and feel like I'm doing the best for the patients, and we have been allowed to do this above all else. Quality and care have been the focus of what we do.
How do you spend your free time?
With my family, whether traveling, watching soccer, coaching basketball, skiing or golfing. I also enjoy going the Broncos games and Colorado Buffs games. There͛s at least one good team in there. My favorite hobby is travel. Travel gives me the opportunity to truly get away and spend time making memories with my family. From a professional standpoint, it gives me the opportunity to ͚recharge my batteries.͛ I realize how hard I work and my family sees that enjoyment. They are the most important thing to me. If not for them, I would not have the energy and drive to do what I do.
What is your motto?
"Make this life the best. You only get one shot." From personal experience, life is short. We have to enjoy it and positively affect those we encounter.
How did you come to choose anesthesia as your profession?
I knew from a very early age that I wanted to be a physician due to the influences of my grandfather, as well as knowing I needed to be in a profession of caring for people. I was lucky to find anesthesia. I fell in love with general surgery and then switched to anesthesia in my fourth year of residency due to the importance of family and my need to be there for them. It was a difficult decision, and one of the best I have ever made. I found something I love to do, that also provides me the opportunity to thrive in my personal life.