Dr. Nancy George Philip poses with her husband, Justus Philip, in Yosemite Valley with El Capitan and Half Dome in the background.
Neurological disorders and diseases can be a scary diagnosis for families. New pediatric neurologist Nancy George Philip, MD, FAAP in our NeuroDevelopmental Science Center understands that while her treatment of patients with spinal cord, brain and nervous system disorders is what parents come to her office for, it’s the support and compassion she shares with them that’s equally important to their child’s care plan.
Q: Why did you want to become a doctor?
A: I was a math major in college because I really enjoyed the reasoning behind solving mathematical proofs. I went on to choose medicine as a major and career because it combined my love of problem solving with making a significant difference in someone else’s life. It truly is a privilege to walk with families and patients through some of their darkest times.
Q: What did you eat for breakfast? What’s your favorite breakfast?
A: I usually have scrambled eggs or oatmeal. My favorite breakfast is a hearty omelet with lots of veggies, cheese and maybe some bacon.
Q: When you curl up on the couch to watch a movie, are you most likely to have a bowl of popcorn, chocolate or box of tissues?
A: Bowl of popcorn. I really enjoy watching suspense fiction movies, but the last movie I watched was very different, Lion, and definitely one of my favorite movies. It is painful, at times, to watch but had such a beautiful, powerful message of hope. My husband and I found the movie very challenging, but encouraged us to look beyond the busyness of our schedules and see the need of those less fortunate, reminding us why we chose to be in medicine to begin with.
Dr. Philip tests her skills on a water bike in Florida.
Q: What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
A: Stretch and wonder if I could sleep any longer.
Q: What is the last thing you do before you go to sleep?
A: Hug my husband and pray with him.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I am of Indian ethnicity, but was born in the Middle East in the United Arab Emirates. My family and I moved to the United States when I was 11.
A Sequoia tree in the Redwood Forest of California dwarfs Dr. Philip.
Q: What did you want to be (profession) when you were little?
A: An astronaut. Planets, stars and galaxies are still so awe inspiring to me.
Q: Have you ever met anyone famous?
A: Jeremy Lin, professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets. My younger sister is a fan of Jeremy Lin so we went to watch his team play against the Dallas Mavericks. He signed autographs during the pre-game warm up and I got a picture, but not a very good one.
Q: What’s your favorite food? Who makes it best?
A: Dal curry and my father makes it best!
Q: What’s a quote, mantra or personal slogan you live by?
A: To do my work with all my heart as for the Lord and not for the approval of others.
While at the American Academy of Neurology 2016 Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Dr. Philip enjoyed bronze sculptures by Yue Minjun, “A-maze-ing Laughter,” in Morton Park.
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