Birgit Falk Riecke

I’m a pattern breaker, a dandelion child, a “breaker of the social legacy”. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a doctor. It’s been the goal of my life. I haven’t always had a detailed plan on how to get there, but the goal has been clear and I’ve always trusted that I could get there. The road hasn’t been straight, but behind every turn, there have been lessons that I take with me in my professional and personal life. I have been lucky to meet other people along the way who could see the possibilities in me and who had the courage and desire to guide me. I am very conscious of passing that gift on. I have always had a lot of energy, “Fire in my ass”, as my mother used to say. Today I am a doctor, working full time in the emergency department, a place that to many can seem chaotic and stressful. I love it! It’s just the right amount of unpredictability and chaos for me. I’m responsible for training new doctors in emergency medicine, I’m a role model where I have the opportunity to give a lot back and make sure the new doctors are on the right path.