We began 18 sentences that each person finished in their own words. Here’s what funky Jersey girl MD, Susan Van Dyke, had to say about living in Phoenix, her biggest dreams and everything in between.
Name: Susan Van Dyke, MD
Age: 58
Title: Physician, Owner and Director of Van Dyke Laser & Skin
Married/Single: So single 🙂
Kids: I have four sons, all fabulous men!
Live: Scottsdale/Paradise Valley. I love them both, so I keep going back and forth.
I was born…
a Jersey girl and I escaped without as much as an accent.
My favorite thing about Arizona…
where else do you get to dodge coyotes on your morning run? I love it!
I’m listening to…
Project Runway. A curious choice for background noise when answering probing questions about my life.
My family…
my sons, four magnificent men and their families, both present and future. I can’t wait to meet the next generation.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…
Hilary Clinton, although we do not share political views, she is a fellow Wellesley grad.
One thing I cannot live without…
there is nothing I can’t live without, adaptability is the key.
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
an actress. Thank goodness I came to my senses, I would have starved to death. Now I get my 25 minutes of fame doing guest segments on news shows (which has been an incredible experience).
I’m inspired by…
passionate entrepreneurs, men and women who build a business from an idea.
The one person who motivates me is…
countless people.
My first job was…
filing at my Dad’s car dealership. My brothers were groomed to take over the company; I was relegated to secretarial duties since I was just a girl. As a result I stayed in school forever and ended up a doctor. I think it all worked out ok.
My favorite escape…
San Francisco’s Marina Green. It’s a phenomenal place to breathe sea air, brave coastal winds and meditate wind surfing on the bay. I escaped there a lot when I was an intern at Pacific Medical Center in SF.
My life…
is amazing and I am truly grateful.
I’m currently working on…
taking my business to the next level…that’s all I’m going to say about that….
Always…
consider every option, if only to reject most. How else can you be sure not to miss the best?
Never…
accept what is unacceptable.
Favorite Quote…
“If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans.”
Biggest Dream…
It would be fascinating to spend a couple of years as a medical correspondent for The Today Show. Imagine all of the interesting stories you could cover, all the people you could meet and the difference you could make in the daily lives of many. Not to mention living in NYC, it would be fabulous!
My Pet Peeve(s)…
this would be too petty to admit to.
Never thought of myself as a trendsetter but it was a hoot coming up with answers for the piece. Thanks Az Foothills!