081: Being a Doctor in Alaska – Dr. Tim Lemaire

Dr. Tim Lemaire

Family Medicine Physician in Nome, Alaska

Instagram | UltraRunning

Description:

Ladies and Gentlemen, I could not be more excited to share my conversation with Dr. Tim Lemaire a full spectrum family medicine physician in Nome, Alaska. Dr. Lemaire lives and practices in a remote village in the Norton Sound Inlet adjacent to the Bering Strait across from Russia. Tim practices bush medicine, all-encompassing including obstetrics, pediatrics, emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, geriatrics, and palliative care. He covers 15 villages in the surrounding area only accessible by snowmobile and plane. And just when you thought our guest couldn’t get more interesting, Tim’s story before medical school is not one you would expect. Tim grew up with a dream to be a rock star in a rock and roll band, playing and touring in college. He went on to be a foster father to countless of children and work his way up the corporate ladder at Starbucks before taking the plunge to go to medical school. In the interim Tim worked for Amazon in one of their distribution centers and as a Phlebotomist at a local hospital. He truly was a non-traditional applicant. Tim is an avid ultrarunner and best known by his friends and family as a leader, and manager, and the definition of selfless service. In medical school, Tim was the first vice chair for the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents and was named DO student of the year representing all osteopathic medical students in 2016.

In this conversation we dive deep discussing why he chose Alaska as is home, how he uses his pre-medical work experiences for patient care, what the typical day and week is like for an Alaskan bush medicine physician, what it is like practicing in a remote village and so much more. This conversation is everything grit, community, selfless service, and humility.

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