APRIL ERWIN, 38
Neurologist/Specialist in multiple sclerosis,
The NeuroMedical Center
In 1998, April Erwin graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and religious studies, followed five years later by a master’s degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. But by 2007, she had earned a medical degree from the LSU School of Medicine and completed a residency at Georgetown University. These days, she is known as the go-to person on multiple sclerosis, achieving national recognition for her work on educating the community about the disease.
Inspiring book: Give Me This Mountain
This autobiography of Dr. Helen Roseveare, a British missionary physician to the Belgian Congo from 1953 to 1973, provides a good reminder of why I chose my profession.
Major professional accomplishments: Multiple publications in medical and scientific journals and presentations at national neurology conferences; primary or sub-primary investigator for ten clinical trials in multiple sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis Society Louisiana Chapter 2014 Person on the Move; Louisiana State Medical Society Excellence in Medical Journalism Meritorious Award for WRKF Conversations in Medicine Multiple Sclerosis piece, 2013; completed Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C., 2012; Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2011; chief resident in neurology, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C., 2010; doctor of medicine, LSU School of Medicine, 2007; master of arts, Summa cum Laude, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2003; bachelor of arts, LSU, University Medalist for 4.0 GPA, Honors College Upper Division Honors, and Phi Beta Kappa, 1998.
Volunteer and community involvement: American Academy of Neurology Multiple Sclerosis section member; Advisory Board member for Novartis Pharmaceuticals and Biogen-Idec Pharmaceuticals; Multiple Sclerosis Society Louisiana Chapter Access to Care Committee member; Istrouma Baptist Church member; Downtown Baton Rouge Civic Association member; teacher and volunteer project coordinator, Rajasthan, India, 1998-2000.
PROFESSIONAL
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? According to my family, I wanted to be Cyndi Lauper … or a scientist.
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? Babysitting. I learned how to enter into successful high-level negotiations with difficult clients. Very small clients.
What is your favorite place for a business lunch in Baton Rouge? I prefer to meet in my office and bring food in. Otherwise, I usually choose Nino’s Italian Restaurant.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Surviving typhoid fever while living overseas.
The old saying goes, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Specifically, what are you “being” to make Baton Rouge better? A provider of specialized care, advocacy, and education for a vulnerable segment of our community.
What ritual do you do to get pumped up before a big meeting, presentation or pitch? Envision the audience, tailor the presentation to their needs, and anticipate questions and concerns they may voice.
What has been the most fulfilling moment in your career so far? Writing an entire paper for publication while stranded inside Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC for 30 hours during a blizzard.
What was your professional aha moment? When my mentor convinced me to pursue a fellowship in multiple sclerosis rather than neuroinfectious disease. It may seem an inconsequential shift, but that decision changed the entire course of my professional career.
How many times will you try something before admitting it doesn’t work? Once or twice. Most of the things I do are in a constant state of modification.
What is your best productivity hack? Previewing electronic medical charts at home over breakfast to prepare for my clinic day.
What did you learn the hard way? Say less than you are inclined to say, and in a more measured tone than you are inclined to use.
What does your job entail that would shock customers or clients if they knew about it? Average annual costs for a multiple sclerosis patient in the US exceed $69,000, so I spend a disproportionate amount of time on insurance appeals and other calls and paperwork to marshal resources for patients.
What’s a weird rule at your job that you know is only there because someone was dumb enough to do it in the first place? I’ve seen signs in a few of our bathroom stalls prohibiting cell phone use while on the toilet.
TECHNOLOGY
Mac or PC? PC
What’s your preferred mode of communication: text or phone call? Text
How low will you allow your remaining battery life to get (in %) before you have an anxiety attack? 30%
How many unread messages are in your inbox right now? 0
What app gets you through the day? Epocrates
Are you quick to adapt to new tech, or did you hang on to that flip phone way after it became obsolete? Quick to adapt.
PERSONALITY
How many times do you hit the snooze button? Zero.
Breakfast at home? Breakfast on the go? Breakfast at your desk? No breakfast at all? Breakfast at home.
Is the glass half empty or half full? What’s in the glass? The glass is full of Raising Cane’s Lemonade.
If you could build a statue downtown, who or what would it represent? The countless healthcare professionals who provide excellent care without receiving any recognition.
What’s your motto? It’s all in the presentation.
When did you realize you had grown up? When I boarded a flight to India alone at age 21, knowing I would not see my family again for nearly two years.
Which historical figure do you most identify with? I’m not sure I identify with her, but I certainly appreciate the contributions of Nobel Prize winning female neurologist Rita Levi-Montalcini.
Which living person do you most admire? No other living person could surpass the respect and admiration owed to a godly mother.
What is your greatest extravagance? Spa treatments on the first Saturday of each month.
What trend do you really wish would come back? Swatch watches.
If you could choose your age forever, what age would you choose and why? I would stay my current age. I’m old enough to have some credibility but young enough to have fun.
What is your favorite journey? Geographically, my travels through Asia. Metaphysically, my faith journey.
On what occasion do you lie? To spare someone’s feelings.
What is your greatest regret? I studied the classics, but I regret not mastering more modern spoken languages, and letting my Spanish and Hindi slip.
When and where were you happiest? During my multiple sclerosis fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, working one-on-one with a renowned neurologist and researcher as my mentor.
Which talent or superpower would you most like to have and why? Talent: playing a musical instrument well. Superpower: reading people’s minds.
If you worked for the CIA and needed a top-secret alias, what would yours be? Showers, as in April showers…
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My quick temper
What’s your most treasured possession? My silver tabby Persian cat, Smoky.
If you could live anywhere on this planet and take everything that you love with you, where would you choose to live and why? The Plaza Hotel in New York City, for obvious reasons!
What do you most value in your friends? The ability to pick up where we left off, even after long absences.
What do you miss most about the ’90s? Early 90s: mega mix cassette tapes; mid-90s: LSU student section at Tiger Stadium; late 90s: living and traveling in Asia
If you had to be a teacher of something, what would you teach? Theology
What is your theme song? I don’t have a theme song, but I have a motivational playlist that includes The Heavy, The Features, Alabama Shakes, Florence + The Machine, Modest Mouse, The Black Keys, and Aloe Blacc.
Who would play you in a movie? Julianne Moore
If you could go back in time 20 years, what advice would you give yourself? Discipline yourself to go to bed earlier and get up before the rest of the world is in motion.
What useless piece of information will you never forget? Home telephone numbers of childhood friends
What makes you laugh every time you think about it? When I lived in India, a group of Americans had the opportunity to meet representatives from several different regions of the country. One of these representatives was from Nagaland in northeast India, where the cuisine can be particularly exotic. Via a translator, the American asked the Naga, “What does monkey taste like?” Without a moment’s hesitation or a drop of insincerity, the Naga replied, “Dog.”
Who’s the most famous celebrity you’ve ever met? Bill Clinton when he was President.
LOOKING AHEAD
What’s the next challenge you have planned? Expanding our MS clinical trials unit at The NeuroMedical Center.
Three things on your bucket list: Marriage and parenthood are at the top of my list.
If you have children, what concerns you most about the future they will inherit? Fears for future generations are many, but as a physician, I will mention a few medical concerns: biotechnological advances being used for ignoble purposes, emergence of antibiotic-resistant organisms, reemergence of preventable diseases due to failure to properly vaccinate children, and decrease in quality and breadth of choices in healthcare due to cost-containment measures.
What would be your advice for future Forty Under 40 honorees? In the words of 89-year-old Japanese master chef Jiro Ono: “Always strive to elevate your craft.”
Do you plan to be in the Capital Region five years from now? Yes
Why have you chosen to make your home in the Capital Region? After five years in Washington, DC, I was ready to come home, reunite with my family and friends, and join a great group of physician colleagues The NeuroMedical Center.
Have you peaked, or do you think you’ll still have it when we launch our hypothetical “Forty Over 40” awards years from now? I don’t plan to peak anytime soon.
