As someone who has always been a healer, Dr. Delicia Haynes (鈥00) was drawn to the medical profession from an early age.
When a medical emergency brought her to the doctor鈥檚 office in the seventh grade, she wasn鈥檛 scared as many would be. Rather, she was eager to meet someone who could mentor her as she too dreamed of one day seeing patients and providing care.
But when the experience turned sour, 13-year-old Haynes was left distraught.
鈥淚t was one of those moments I knew that when I became a doctor, I would be the type of doctor I wish I had,鈥 said Haynes. 鈥淚 always see the seventh-grade version of myself popping up if I鈥檓 going to make a decision, and I ask myself, 鈥榃ould she be proud of me?鈥欌
Although Haynes鈥 first experience with medicine was memorable for all the wrong reasons, it did not deter her from turning her dream of becoming a doctor into a reality. After graduating from the University of Louisville聽聽with a degree in biology, she continued on to medical school.
Haynes, who overcame suicidal thoughts in high school, experienced another episode of depression during her second year of medical school. She made the difficult decision to take time off from school to receive treatment 鈥 a choice she knows was one of the most important decisions of her career.
鈥淥ne of the challenging things of being someone who鈥檚 very mission-driven and goal-oriented is it鈥檚 really easy to lose sight of my own self-care,鈥 she explained. 鈥淎s doctors, we鈥檙e driven to take care of other people, but we鈥檙e not really driven to take care of ourselves.鈥
After getting the treatment she needed, Haynes returned to medical school stronger than ever. When it came time to do a research presentation in her family medicine residency program, Haynes chose the topic of suicide and depression among physicians.
鈥淚t鈥檚 things that I felt like I should鈥檝e known coming in and joining the profession, but no one told me this before I came into it. It鈥檚 very hush hush,鈥 Haynes said.
Now, as the founder and CEO of聽聽in Daytona Beach, Florida, Haynes has the mission of making a difference by delivering personalized healthcare with passion and respect. She is also on faculty with the College of Medicine at Florida State University.
With many of the diseases she treats being preventable, she takes the time to help others examine their lifestyle to see what changes they can make to be happier, healthier versions of themselves. Stemming from her personal experience, Haynes enjoys treating patients with depression and helping them through the process 鈥 something she is uniquely qualified to do.聽
Her book,聽The Dawn: A Med Student鈥檚 Roadmap to Finding a Light in Their Darkest Hour, is a valuable resource shedding light on suicide and depression among medical professionals. A self-identified introvert, finding the courage to tell her story and have her voice heard is something Haynes credits UofL for giving her the confidence to do.
鈥淏eing a part of all the different organizations that I was a part of and having the amazing mentors that I did, I started to get more comfortable with my voice and sharing,鈥 said Haynes, who was also a standout on the Cardinals鈥櫬犅爐eam. 鈥淚 loved everything about my experience at UofL.鈥
The leadership roles she had on campus at UofL, combined with her experience as a student-athlete, prepared her well for her current role as a family physician. Just as she wants her patients to look and feel their best from the inside out, Haynes also makes sure to prioritize her own mental health and wellbeing.聽
鈥淏eing a frontline worker and risking your life every day, wellness is more important than it has ever been,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important for us to have a space where we can both be safe and brave, and make sure that while we鈥檙e taking care of everyone else, we鈥檙e also taking care of ourselves.鈥
