TRAILBLAZING TRIO

What happens when three women come together with one vision to revolutionize health care? Meet the dream team behind Doctor Daughters, an innovative medical consulting business co-founded by DR. KRISTEN MAGUIRE, DR. MELISSA DRAKE, and DR. ANN MARIE HOUSER. “Despite all the joys and rewards bedside medicine brings, we identified fractures and holes in how patients navigate the health care system,” says Dr. Maguire, who earned her M.D. from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and completed ER training at the University of Illinois at Chicago. “Patients are often lost, have trouble understanding what to do next or why medications or treatments are even prescribed. The days where your doctor has time to sit down and explain to you what is going on seem to be gone as a result of the modern American health care system. We wanted to provide a service where we bring that personal attention back to the patients, empowering them.” Dr. Drake, whose passion lies in diagnosing and treating complex diseases in times of stress while educating patients and their family members, says Doctor Daughters was founded on a vision for a team approach to health care. “It’s very rewarding to witness the empowerment of a patient when they are educated on their health, their medical conditions, and how it results in a healthier, better quality of life,” explains Dr. Drake, who earned her D.O. from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and completed an ER residency through Michigan State University. Dr. Houser, who earned a D.O. from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, says she and her fellow founders share a creative, collective mission. “We can and will improve people’s experience with health care,” she explains. “People need to feel heard and desire true understanding of their situations and we are skilled at meeting this need.”

Most rewarding part of what you do?
Dr. Drake: Seeing relief in a patient during a stressful diagnosis—relief that they understand what is going on, there is a plan and that they are not alone.
Dr. Houser: That look of relief is unmistakable. The eyes glisten, the jaw softens, the shoulders relax, the breath comes easier. It’s the same look with students, patients, and families—the look that reminds me we made a difference.
Dr. Maguire: I love helping all people at all stages of their lives. I help any age from two minutes old to 107 years old. I help people from all backgrounds and socioeconomic backgrounds. I don’t want to meet you in the ER but if I do, it’s hopefully because I have helped you or your family on what could be the worst day of your lives.

How should women support other women?
Dr. Drake: Ruth Bader Ginsburg said, “Women should be in every room decisions are made.” I couldn’t agree more! Women have the unique perspective of innate caregiving and the gift of women’s intuition. It’s real and I see it in our practice daily.
Dr. Houser: Women and their journeys are more alike than not. Topics and timelines might be different, but the themes are often the same. Sharing the lessons we’ve learned from experiences, especially the painful ones, makes another’s journey easier.
Dr. Maguire: I believe there is room for everyone at the top. We all experience the same obstacles getting there. Why not help one another achieve our goals? We’re much better together anyway.

For more information, visit doctordaughters.com or follow @doctordaughters on Instagram and Facebook.