"Embracing the Unforeseen": Faye Lee on Accepting Lions, Lifelines, and Education
Embrace the unusual, and you might just stumble upon a life-changing adventure! Gleaning this valuable lesson from emergency physician Faye Lee, who's swapped bustling city hospitals for wilderness expeditions in far-flung locations, is a testament to the power of venturing beyond the familiar.
From the frenetic emergency rooms of New York City to dodging predators like lions in Namibia, and more recently, healing injured pets while marveling at whales in Tonga, Faye's career is a testament to daring to delve into the unknown.
Faye's serendipitous introduction to conservation medicine came on an Antarctic expedition, during a chance encounter with a Namibian ophthalmologist. This led her to the N/a'an ku sê Foundation and, ultimately, enrolling in World Extreme Medicine's conservation medicine course, which would set her life on a transformative path.
The N/a'an ku sê course provides an unparalleled mix of wildlife conservation and community healthcare. "No two days were ever the same," Faye recalls. Among the exceptional experiences offered are snake identification sessions with Namibian specialists, community healthcare work, and wildlife health assessments—including the unforgettable day she assisted in the sedation and examination of a sedated lioness, using a pulse oximeter on her tongue and administering vitamin A and rabies shots.
Working in N/a'an ku sê's Lifeline Clinic exposed Faye to the challenges of resource-limited medicine. "A basic blood test can pose a challenge," she explains. With the nearest hospital hours away, every medical decision must meticulously consider available resources and logistics. Beyond healthcare, the N/a'an ku sê Foundation spearheads wildlife conservation, anti-poaching efforts, education, and community development.
"They're saving animals, saving lives, educating children, and building communities," Faye acknowledges, highlighting the impact of the foundation's work. In Namibia, for instance, they monitor big cats like leopards to minimize human-wildlife conflict and have devised ingenious solutions like thorny enclosures to shield livestock. This balance between wildlife preservation and sustaining local communities is integral to their mission.
Faye's experience at N/a'an ku sê has profoundly reshaped her approach to global medicine. Now, whether treating patients in remote locations or collaborating with local communities, she brings educational and medical supplies to donate. "I'm a staunch supporter of uplifting education in developing countries," she asserts, stressing the long-term benefits of investing in communities.
Her time in Namibia deepened her understanding of conservation's interconnections with healthcare. Through their efforts to address human-wildlife conflict, promote sustainable practices, and improve access to medical care, the foundation embodies the power of collaboration across different disciplines to achieve meaningful change.
Faye's tale serves as a reminder that stepping off the beaten path opens doors to extraordinary opportunities. Whether it's treating patients in remote locales, tending to wildlife, or seizing sudden chances, her career underscores the value of curiosity and adaptability. "Sometimes the most ordinary encounters unfold into far more thrilling adventures," she reflects.
- Faye's career transition from city hospitals to wilderness expeditions in exotic locations demonstrates the power of embracing the unknown in one's education and lifestyle.
- The conservation medicine course Faye enrolled in, after her Antarctic expedition encounter, brought a unique blend of wildlife conservation and community healthcare, shaping her career significantly.
- Faye's work at N/a'an ku sê's Lifeline Clinic introduced her to the challenges of resource-limited medicine, requiring meticulous decision-making concerning available resources and logistics.
- Beyond healthcare, N/a'an ku sê Foundation engages in wildlife conservation, anti-poaching efforts, education, and community development, saving both animals and lives while uplifting communities.
- In light of her experiences, Faye emphasizes the importance of investing in education and medical supplies for developing countries, fostering long-term benefits for these communities.
- Through her work with N/a'an ku sê, Faye learned that conserving wildlife, addressing human-wildlife conflict, and promoting sustainable practices can lead to meaningful collaboration across different disciplines, transforming lives and spaces without losing sight of the healthcare aspect.
