Every month, Swedish Covenant Hospital spotlights one of our physicians who goes the extra mile to provide patients with top-notch care. This month's featured physician is family medicine physician Dr. Marina Claudio.
Dr. Claudio discussed avoiding summer injuries, the importance of patient education and her love for flamenco dance.
Are you originally from Chicago?
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I was born in Moscow, but I’ve been living here for more than 30 years. We love it!
When did you decide on medicine as a profession?
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Being the child of two physicians, everyone always assumed that I was pushed into it. That’s not really the case at all. I started out wanting to do something in the performing arts, but I realized that had a short lifespan. I decided after that to become an optometrist, and after that, made the decision to go to medical school.
What kinds of conditions do you see most often in the summer?
Injuries. People spend more time outdoors in the summer, so they are at a higher risk for sprains and strains. Especially “weekend warriors.”
What’s the best way to prevent those kinds of injuries?
Stretching is key for any physical activity. It’s also important to know your limitations; if you’ve never run a 5k before, you shouldn’t think you can do it suddenly without suffering some consequences.
What’s your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part of my job is seeing results. For example, seeing my patients with diabetes actually achieve their goals, and how happy they are when their numbers change and they feel better—that makes me incredibly happy.
What do you enjoy most about being a part of the SCH community?
I have known a lot of SCH physicians for a long time. A lot of these doctors have known me since I was in medical school and residency. Forming these close working relationships has been very rewarding.
You do a lot of community outreach, particularly with the Spanish-speaking community. Why do you, as a provider, feel it’s important to be active in patient outreach?
A big part of my practice is the community outreach and patient education side of things. It helps patients get a sense of who I am as a person, and know that I’m approachable. I want patients to feel that they can come to their doctor with anything, without any level of discomfort. I take care to educate my patients. I think it’s incredibly important for them to know about their disease process, and about the good outcomes that can come about if they treat things in a timely manner.
What do you find yourself doing on the weekends?
I’m a wife and a mother. I’m also a flamenco dancer. I am a part of Studio Mangiameli in Logan Square. We spend a good part of the year rehearsing for a big show that happens every May. It’s a pretty amazing experience.
What’s on your bucket list?
I want to travel a lot. It’s one thing I’ve not been able to do a lot because of all of the schooling that we go through.
Where do you want to go?
Everywhere!
