Proust questionnaire: Gordon Mackie, MD

What profession might you have pursued, if not for medicine?
Kinesiology professor at a university.

Which talent would you most like to have?
To be able to speak multiple languages.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Meeting my wife, Theresa, and raising our wonderful daughters, Emilie and Pippa.

Who are your heroes?
Wilder Penfield in science, my mother in dedication, and my brother and sister for setting a high standard.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Family holidays spent cruising or in Whistler.

What is your greatest fear?
Illness or injury to those close to me.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Impatience.

What characteristic do your favorite patients share?
Positive attitude in the face of a challenge.

Which living physician do you most admire?
Dr Werner Becker; neurologist, headache specialist, and amazing patient advocate.

What is your favorite activity?
Pushing myself to moderately uncomfortable limits to challenge myself.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“You know there is a saying… ” after which I rhyme off a quote or saying relating to the situation.

Where would you most like to practise?
Where my patients would always show up for their appointments and where their tests and procedures would be performed promptly.

What medical advance do you most anticipate?
An effective way to slow neurodegenerative damage.

What is your most marked characteristic?
Stubbornness—if I drown in a river, look for me upstream!

What do you most value in your colleagues?
Common sense, shared wisdom, and mutual respect.

Who are your favorite writers?
Homer, John Irving.

What is your greatest regret?
Not having the opportunity to adequately thank all of my teachers who have provided me their time and energy.

How would you like to die?
Reminiscing with my wife and family after a long bike ride, squash game, or round of golf, with a tall glass of beer in my hand.

What is your motto?
Effort builds talent.