Name: Ana Soper.

Department: Psychiatry.

How long at MUSC: 10 months and counting.

A unique talent you have: Deep appreciation for any type of music. I’m also a pianist.

First job: Nurse assistant at a nursing home expressly for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Bad habit: Thinking that it’s all about me. It’s not.

Role models: These would fall into two categories. First, my patients are my greatest teachers, and I am reminded of this every day. Second, anyone who has lived a life of service over a life of leisure. My greatest role model in that sense would be Paul Sawtelle, my dad’s fellow soldier and friend from his Army days, who was killed in action in the Vietnam War. He was young, yet he gave so much in such a short time.

Most embarrassing moment: Too many to count. I’m blushing just thinking about it.

.Mac or PC: PC, although the Mac I use at MUSC is growing on me.

What do you do on a rainy day: Think about making plans to go to the SC Aquarium, but read voraciously instead.

One thing  you do that never gets old: Finding ways to care for my patients with the same courtesies and attention to detail that I would expect to receive myself.

The one thing you can’t live without: My faith in God.

What do you do to relax when the work-day ends: Crank up my car radio on the drive home and dance in place while waiting at the traffic light intersections. You’d be surprised at how many people you can get to laugh and smile! If that doesn’t do the trick for relaxation, I’ll do the electric slide dance by myself at home. This usually makes me laugh, at the very least.

How would you spend a million dollars: Donate the money to the National Institute on Aging to support research efforts in finding a cure for or treatment to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and promote early detection.... and of course take it as a tax write-off.

Since hurricane season just began, what traits of a hurricane do you possess: Grass never grows under my feet!

Greatest moment in your life: Hugging President Barack Obama at my recent graduation ceremony! He encouraged me to never forget that there’s a lot to be done and society needs your hard work, no matter how small you feel.

Friday, July 3, 2009