Alison: Plastic Surgeon Leading with French
Professionals across industries and skill levels are sharing the value of language learning
Meet Alison—a plastic surgeon and business owner in private practice who uses language as a means of developing trust and connection with her patients.
At its heart, medicine is about taking care of people, and the ability to foster connection, practice empathy, and instill trust are the tools that help the physician forge a meaningful doctor-patient relationship.
Languages: French
Grew Up in: Cyprus; Nigeria; Senegal; France; Washington, DC
Undergraduate Studies: Colby College (Waterville, ME); double major in French literature & biology
Additional Training or Certifications: Medical degree
How have your language and cultural skills supported and/or enhanced your professional opportunities?
When applying to medical school, being a double major in two very different fields of study distinguished me as an applicant. It demonstrated that not only could I handle a busy course load, but that my brain was able to simultaneously function in—and code-switch between—two different modes at the same time.
As medicine at large grapples with issues of trust, inaccessibility, and equity, medical schools and training programs are increasingly seeking applicants who can both excel at learning vast amounts of information and translate this to the bedside. At its heart, medicine is about taking care of people, and the ability to foster connection, practice empathy, and instill trust are the tools that help the physician forge a meaningful doctor-patient relationship.
In my own practice as a reconstructive surgeon, this skill has helped me develop a reputation for accessibility, friendliness, empathy, and trustworthiness. My patients believe that I always keep their best interests at heart, even in the face of frightening diagnoses, complex surgeries, and challenging medical journeys.
What advice would you share with current language learners or those considering studying a language?
To recognize that there is not just “one way” to develop and use a skill set. Language studies develop a variety of skill sets, including reading, writing, and speaking—but also comprehension, research, empathy, and the ability to be a self-starter. It also forces the learner to be comfortable being uncomfortable—a useful skill in an ever-changing world.
It’s often said that English is the language of global business, and because of that, language skills aren’t necessary to succeed. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
I disagree. Language is indeed a tool for communication, but there is a difference between mere communication and fostering meaningful connection. The ability and willingness to converse in a different language is a reflection not just of intelligence, but of openness. An app can translate words, sure—but a person who has made the effort to learn another’s culture and language is showing up in ways that benefit everyone.
Another value to studying languages is the way in which it can reveal opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship. Joseph Murray—plastic surgeon and Nobel laureate who performed the first successful human kidney transplant—is credited with saying, “It is at the interface of disciplines where progress is made.” Having multiple areas of knowledge at one’s command allows a person to identify new frontiers for innovation, whether it be creating an app, writing a novel, teaching a topic, designing a research experiment, inventing a product, or devising a new technique. The opportunities are limitless!
Explore testimonials by multilingual professionals across sectors, and tell us how you put your language skills to work @LangConnectsFdn on social media.
Know someone who's using language skills in their work or career? Refer them to us for consideration in an upcoming feature!