and they were more self-confident , happier , brighter . Being able to be a part of that transformation into the person they knew they could be was just beautiful . I didn ’ t know that that was going to be part of my practice when I chose endocrinology but having that opportunity , I knew that I couldn ’ t not do it .”
One of the central things she works on with all her patients is making lifestyle changes for healthy living . When she moved to Louisville , she and her husband adopted a whole foods , plant-based way of eating including no animal products and limited processed foods . She encourages her patients to find similar options that might work for them .
“ There ’ s a lot of really good data showing that more plants , and less processed food and animal products have a direct correlation with health . There ’ s a decreased risk of chronic disease like heart disease , stroke , diabetes , high blood pressure , high cholesterol , but also mortality . I made the decision to do that because I wanted to be a good example to my patients when I recommend lifestyle changes but also , I wanted those health benefits ,” she said . “ Rather than just ‘ diet and exercise ,’ we talk about specific nutritional changes that they can make to improve health . Instead of talking about exercise , we talk about adding activities that they enjoy and incorporating those into their daily life . Similar to the gender-affirming care , being able to actively heal as opposed to treating disease is something I ’ m really passionate about and something I love being able to share with my patients .”
So much of her fuel to practice medicine comes from the relationships she builds with her patients , but her social support is just as important . From the front desk staff , to medical assistants and nurses , to her physician and nurse practitioner colleagues , she says , “ Being able to go to work and hang out with cool people who are just as passionate about care and life is really unique .” She also can ’ t help but sing the praises of her spouse , who has been by her side through it all .
“ Nathan has been incredibly supportive all throughout my medical career and my journey and has moved with me all over the country . He has uprooted his career and made a lot of sacrifices so that I would be able to do what I want to do . Absolutely , having someone in my corner who supports me and is on board with whatever it is that I want to do has been incredibly helpful ,” she said . “ I always tell him that if I weren ’ t married to him , I probably couldn ’ t be married to anybody because I cannot think of another person in the world who would be as supportive as he is for me .”
Nathan is a graphic designer by training , but now focuses on his work as an artisan , doing all kinds of different hands-on , creative endeavors . He is a carpenter , a welder , a blacksmith , a visual artist and he does a lot of pyrography , which is artistic wood burning .
“ He ’ s an incredibly creative person and is the sort of person who can picture something in his mind and make it happen , whereas I ’ m the sort of person who can picture something in my mind and it turns out horribly .”
The two have one fuzzy child , a 10-year-old Boston Terrier named Della , that they love spending time with . Dr . Folsom also enjoys yoga , has a love-hate relationship with running and is part of a book club . After not pursuing a career as a chef , she still has the joy for cooking and after their shift to a plant-based diet , has learned to adapt her cooking skills .
As the Director of the Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute Transition to Adult Diabetes Program , Dr . Folsom sees expansion of the current program and new innovation coming down the line .
“ I want to continue what I ’ m doing but advance some of the specific aspects of my work . One thing I ’ m going to begin next year is focusing on transitions of care , not just on diabetes care which is what I currently do , but also advancing and expanding that to incorporate other areas of endocrinology . Developing specific protocols and programs for children with thyroid , adrenal gland , growth or pituitary disorders , to make that transition as seamless as possible from the pediatric to the adult endocrinology world .”
With her sights set on the future ahead , she also thinks back to where she started .
“ Thank goodness I made all those decisions and that this was the right one because it has been a lot of work . But I am so happy because I get to do exactly what I love doing . It ’ s such an honor to be in a position where you get to not only provide health care , but to provide it for people you actively enjoy interacting with . If had to do it all over again , I would do exactly the same thing .”
Kathryn Vance is the Communication Specialist at the Greater Louisville Medical Society .
December 2023 33