Page 10 - Indulge June 2017
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girl talk husband, John, and their cat and golden retriever puppy.
“That is a work in progress,” she says. “(Our cat) is still
Q&ACHATS WITH LEHIGH VALLEY MOVERS AND SHAKERS getting used to the intruder.”
She took time out of her busy schedule to talk with Indulge.
Photo courtesy of St. Luke’s University Health Network Q: What drew you to your career?
A: I always wanted to be a doctor … It is such a
privilege to take care of patients from their teen years
through to menopause and after, so taking care of various
stages of life — that’s pretty cool.
D r . C h r i s tine T al m age Q: What advice could you give someone who is
Our local ‘Valley Girls’ open up and considering a similar career path?
answer questions about their businesses
and jobs. Meet Dr. Christine Talmage, A: It’s going to be a lot of hard work. A lot of
an OB/GYN at St. Luke’s Obstetrics and
Gynecology Associates, Bethlehem. studying, a lot of long hours, but it is absolutely worth it.
Don’t let anyone discourage you along the way. … I work
a lot of long hours, but I truly love what I do and that
makes it a joy to go to work every day. You have to pick
a career you love. (She recommends not only choosing a
field you love, but also searching for that place you “fit in
and a supportive team makes a big difference.”)
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: I think for me, it’s being able to participate
in delivering a child for people you’ve gotten to know
throughout their whole pregnancy. It’s just something
special to be a part of … it’s the start of a new life. You
build this 40-week relationship with the couple — that’s
kind of what opened my eyes to the field, more than it
had before.
By Linda Doell Q: If you could tell women something about their
When she moved to the Lehigh Valley to attend health, what would it be?
college, this month’s Valley girl knew it was a
special place. A: To remember to take care of themselves. Just to
In fact, after earning her undergraduate degree from make sure patients are getting the proper preventive care
Lehigh University and a medical degree from New York and screening so they can take care of their families and
Medical College, she moved back to the Valley to serve a careers. I see a lot of patients who put off their visits
residency at St. Luke’s University Health Network. for a number of years because they are caretaking. It’s
so easy to put off taking care of you and take care of
Last summer, Dr. Christine Talmage joined St. Luke’s everyone else.
Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates in its Bethlehem
office. Since then, she has married and lives with her Q: What do you like to do to relax?
A: My husband and I like to take advantage of all the
things that the Lehigh Valley has to offer. (That includes
walking rail trails and going out to eat with friends.)
10 | indulge • June 2017
