‘I’m an infectious disease doctor. This is my calling.’
“When I see billboards calling us heroes, I think to myself, ‘I’m not a hero. I’m just doing my job and I’m privileged to do it. Overall, working on the front lines has been a privilege and an honor to help people during this time,’” said Dr. Minhaj Husain. “I’m an infectious disease doctor. This is my calling.”
Dr. Husain has worked at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center for 10 years. While he was born in California, he went to high school and medical school in India after his family moved there. Seeing people living in poverty and dying from disease, he knew he wanted to find a way to help.
“I always had a passion to treat infectious diseases,” said Dr. Husain. “Bacteria, viruses and other microbes are potentially treatable.”
Dr. Husain’s passion for health care revolves around his belief that he can make a difference every day.
“If I can make a difference in the life of one patient, I feel really good about that,” he said.
The pandemic has been a challenge. He’s always been excited to go to work and help, but things are different.
“There’s this fear that today might be the day I get infected or worse, bring it home to my family,” said Dr. Husain. “At home we have a separate room set aside for if and when I do get sick with COVID where I’ll isolate. We have all the contingency plans in place.”
Despite how hard working on the front lines with COVID patients can be, Dr. Husain remains positive and grateful. When he comes home each day, he tries to leave all the thoughts of work outside the door. Then, for the next few hours, he spends time with his wife and kids watching Disney movies and enjoying their company.
“As much as I’m doing, there are others who are doing as much or more. I can’t say enough about the nurses. They have been phenomenal. They’ve risen to the task and put their own safety at risk to do what’s best for the patient,” said Dr. Husain. “The same is true of my physician colleagues. To be a part of that team is humbling and rewarding. Someday I can look back and say I did my part during this pandemic.”
He continues to ask the community to do their part.
“The way you show us respect is not to call us heroes. The way you show us respect is listening to us and to what we are telling you. We are risking our lives to get you that advice and to keep you safe,” said Dr. Husain. “I want people to know this disease is very real and potentially lethal. I want people to take it seriously.”
His final note is one of hope.
“Thank you to all of the researchers working hard to come up with vaccines, medication, and protocols throughout the world. A lot of people are working together globally with one goal, to rid the world of this pandemic,” said Dr. Husain. “I couldn’t do what I am doing without the unrelenting work others are doing.”
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About the Author
Ben Hoekstra is a public affairs coordinator with Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. He previously worked in marketing and PR for various Milwaukee nonprofits and received his master’s degree in Corporate Communications from Marquette University. He enjoys the outdoors, cooking, and all things Milwaukee.
Would love to hear about other Healthcare workers who are also on the front lines, just to name a few, Respiratory Therapists, Speech, Physical & Occupational Therapists & finally the Care Managers & Social Workers who are charged with making safe discharge plans for patients with covid.
Now this is a dedicated Doctor – one I can look up to. He states what his profession is here to do and he is doing it. Bravo to Dr. Husain for leading when we need him the most. Thank you!
Thank You doesn’t seem enough; I’m humbled by your compassion, dedication and courage. Continued blessings to you and your family, and to all self-sacrificing, Surgeons, Anesthesiologists, Specialists, Patient Care Staff/Managers, Transporters, Administrative/Clerical/IT Professionals, Respiratory/Speech/Physical/Occupational Therapists, Facilities Maintenance/
Operations Specialists and other Essential Employees. You are forever appreciated!