Dooley Noted: 6/24/2015
The Person: Dr. Todd Olson
Profession: Course director of anatomy at Albert Einstein College of Oriental Medicine
How I know him:
Dr. Olson and Dr. Robert Walker started a pilot program for a Master’s of Science in Clinical Anatomy program at NYCC, for which I was chosen as the first fellow.
How he’s changed me:
We like to think that dreams magically come true. Mine haven’t been that way. My dreams were facilitated by people that were trailblazers, and I work to walk down the path they created.
Dr. Olson is one of the most important trailblazers in my life.
Dr. Olson and Dr. Walker saw a need for more anatomists with a clinical background. As I was chosen to fill this need, I was trained by a bevy of incredible educators and given externship to work in Dr. Olson’s medical school laboratory.
Because of Dr. Olson, a Midwest chiropractor had an opportunity to educate (and be educated) in anatomy at a top NYC medical school. He knows that true learning comes from teaching, so he encouraged me to teach as I was learning.
He introduced me to the people who would then ask me to help in their labs, creating an environment for me to be able to teach in 5 schools while running my clinical practice.
Dr. Olson showed me what professionalism means, and he showed me that true success is building up others. He taught me a team leaves more of a legacy, and one is more effective in life by taking the shining light off oneself and placing it on the team.
As he retired from Einstein this year, I can’t describe the sadness I will experience not seeing him every day in the lab.
While he has earned his retirement, my selfish heart will miss the man who completely made my life happen.
I vow to make him proud as I travel the world teaching functional and clinical anatomy.
His responses to a list of questions, each with a three-word answer max.
Book that changed you:
Sayings of the Buddha
Best website:
Google
Biggest mentor:
My mother
Secret to success:
Make it happen
Secret to happiness:
Again, make it happen
Secret to fitness:
Yet again, make it happen
Secret to wealth:
Save
Best advice you’ve been given:
And again – make it happen
Acronyms following name: PhD
How to contact him:
todd.olson@einstein.yu.edu
Know and acknowledge the people that change you.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley
