"It's Okay to Fail" with Award-Winning Ophthalmologist Dr. Monica Dweck

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Monica Dweck shares her inspiring journey from a challenging upbringing in New York City to becoming a distinguished ophthalmologist. She discusses the importance of education, family support, and mentorship in overcoming obstacles and achieving success. Dr. Dweck emphasizes the role of empathy in patient care, the significance of cultural identity, and the courage required to navigate a male-dominated profession. The discussion also touches on the importance of community support and the lessons learned from both positive and negative experiences in life.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Dr. Dweck's journey is marked by firsts and challenges.
• Education played a crucial role in shaping her confidence.
• Family support was instrumental in overcoming obstacles.
• Courage is often about advocating for oneself.
• Empathy in patient care stems from personal experiences.
• Cultural identity can strengthen resilience.
• Mentorship is vital in professional growth.
• Facing fear is a part of personal and professional life.
• Community support is essential in times of change.
• Learning from both positive and negative experiences shapes character.
• Growing up with co-host and little brother Stephan Dweck

Guest:

Dr. Monica Dweck, recently retired, is a native New Yorker and graduate of Princeton University and Hunter College High School, received her medical degree from SUNY Downstate Medical Center, College of Medicine. She completed an internship at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut (a large Level 1 Trauma Center) and her residency in Ophthalmology at The New York Ear and Eye  Infirmary, where she was the first African American woman in their training program in their  200+ year history. She went on to do a fellowship in Oculoplastic, Reconstructive and Orbital  Surgery at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, the first woman of color in the country to receive  this type of fellowship training. Dr. Dweck is board certified by the American Board of  Ophthalmology. 

She is a member of the National Medical Association and American Academy of  Ophthalmology. Dr. Dweck is a Founding Board Member of the NYC Women In Ophthalmology since 2006 and Past President 2021-2022. She was on the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Ophthalmological Society for many years and served as President. 

Dr. Dweck was elected to the Board of Directors of the New York State Ophthalmological Society before being appointed by the New York State Board of Regents in 2001 to the New York State Board of Medicine and has served as a Board Member for the past 24 years. The NYS Board of  Medicine is responsible for making policy recommendations to the State Government regarding  the practice of medicine in the State. In addition, they hold moral character hearings and  medical license restoration hearings.  

She is on the Advisory Board of VISIONS, a NYC nonprofit organization that provides vision services for the Blind and Visually impaired. In addition, Dr. Dweck is on the Editorial Advisory Board of EyeNet Magazine, the news magazine for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Social media: Monica's Instagram

⁠David Millstone's Instagram⁠

⁠Stephan Dweck's Wikipedia⁠

About the Producer: Michelle Simone Miller is an actress producer of Every Day Courage and host of the top-ranked podcast ⁠Mentors on the Mic⁠, where she interviews entertainment industry professionals about how they got their start and built lasting careers.

⁠Mentors on the Mic Instagram