What an interesting journey!  Truth be told, I came up with the name for the new practice before I even knew that we were moving to the Shore.  It came to me one night while I was out walking my dog. The name seemed fitting because it symbolizes three things that I am passionate about: neuroscience, the ocean and, more subtly, music.  My connection to neuroscience is obvious, but the ocean and music are personally significant to me.  

Like many people who live here, the ocean has become my happy place.  Whenever I am stressed, anxious or sad, a long walk on the beach- the steady rhythm of the waves, the salty air and the pure, serene beauty of it all- and my spirits are lifted. The ocean feeds my soul. 

My love for music began at a much younger age. My dad was a musician and my mom has always loved music.  Perhaps that was why they were drawn to each other.  Growing up, music was the center of my house; both figuratively and literally.  My family lived in a 200-year-old farmhouse.  There was no central heat or air conditioning, so registers were installed in the floors and walls to circulate the air- and the music by default. There was always music playing and you could hear it from every corner of the house.   I knew the lyrics to every Lynyrd Skynyrd, Creedance Clearwater Revival and Aerosmith song before I learned to read.   Some of my fondest childhood memories are of listening to my dad sing and play guitar in our backyard.  When I was an adult, I went to see him and his band play whenever I could. Music has been such a fundamental part of my existence that I did not know until a few years ago that not everyone has a song in their head at all times.

My dad passed away a few years ago and like many other times when I’ve experienced heartache in my life, I relied on music to cope.   I spent many afternoons, laying on a blanket in my backyard, listening to music and staring at the clouds.   It made me feel closer to him.  I listened to his favorite songs and the ones I enjoyed hearing him play with his band.   Certain lyrics evoke such vivid memories; it’s like I can still hear the passion in his voice and see the love in his eyes.   

My dad was always incredibly proud of me.  He struggled with his health for over 10 years and every time he was hospitalized, he would boast to the medical staff about how his daughter was a doctor; he “was there the day she became one.”   He might not be here now, but he is still in my heart and continues to inspire me to live a passionate life, full of love and compassion for others.