At Essex County Moms, we love connecting with inspiring women who are making an impact in our communities. This month, we sat down with Dr. Urquhart, a physician, medical practice owner, author, advocate, and mom, to talk about motherhood, leadership, navigating healthcare, and her new book, The Invisible Hand Wielding the Scalpel.
As moms, we’re often the CEOs of our households, managing everything from schedules to healthcare appointments. Dr. Urquhart brings a unique perspective as both a physician and a mom who’s spent decades working within the healthcare system. Here’s what she had to share.
Essex County Moms: Tell us about yourself.
Dr. Urquhart: I am a wife of 29 years and a mother of two college-age children, both currently attending Harvard College.
ECM: What does family life look like these days?
Dr. Urquhart: I have two children away at college. Family life these days consists of reacquainting myself with my husband as newly minted empty-nesters while also helping my mother manage health challenges from across the country.
ECM: You wear many hats, business owner, leader, author, advocate, and mom. How would you describe your journey, and what inspired you to pursue this path?
Dr. Urquhart: My journey began with a passion for science and the potential for discoveries in the lab to revolutionize healthcare. Growing up in San Diego, I was inspired by the Salk Institute founded by Jonas Salk. The idea that doctors could alter the trajectory of disease excited me and ultimately led me down the long path to becoming a physician.
ECM: Your new book takes a hard look at the American healthcare system. What inspired you to write it, and what do you hope readers take away from it?
Dr. Urquhart: I had an epiphany that independent medical practices may no longer exist 20 to 30 years from now. The Invisible Hand Wielding the Scalpel was truly a labor of love. It chronicles my journey through healthcare and how I decoded the data to uncover many of the underlying causes of the strain we’re seeing in clinical medicine today.
I hope readers gain a better understanding of how the healthcare industry operates, take ownership of the healthcare costs being passed along to them, and advocate for greater transparency in healthcare economics.
ECM: You’ve seen healthcare from multiple perspectives as a physician, practice owner, patient advocate, and mom. What’s the biggest misconception people have about our healthcare system?
Dr. Urquhart: Many people assume that all doctors and hospitals are wealthy, so they don’t need to worry about the industry’s challenges. The reality is much more complicated. Here in New Jersey, several hospitals have been identified as financially vulnerable due to recent healthcare legislation. Patients should care because when healthcare systems struggle financially, it ultimately impacts access to quality care in their communities.
ECM: Moms often become the healthcare managers for their entire families. What advice would you give mothers trying to navigate insurance denials, delayed care, or confusing medical bills?
Dr. Urquhart: Look for allies. Start by calling the number on the back of your insurance card and requesting an updated copy of your Insurance Summary of Plan Benefits. It’s also important to maintain emergency savings that can help cover deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
ECM: Your book discusses how patients can feel powerless within complex healthcare systems. How can families advocate for themselves?
Dr. Urquhart: Again, look for allies and educate yourself. Understanding your benefits and planning ahead financially can make a tremendous difference when unexpected healthcare expenses arise.
ECM: As a physician and business owner, you’ve developed strong leadership skills. What qualities should women embrace, especially when leading in traditionally male-dominated fields?
Dr. Urquhart: Women must embrace authenticity. By definition, our experiences in those rooms are unique. Beyond our expertise, we bring an authentic and compassionate perspective that can have a broad impact on decision-making and leadership.
ECM: How has motherhood influenced your leadership style?
Dr. Urquhart: Motherhood has made me more strategic in the face of opposition. It has helped me identify my highest priorities and execute with precision. As mothers, we simply don’t have time to waste, so we become highly efficient at evaluating situations and determining what truly matters.
ECM: What challenges have you faced balancing motherhood while building a medical practice?
Dr. Urquhart: Like every mother, the biggest challenge was time. There are never enough hours in the day. I managed those demands by identifying my highest priorities and making sure those received my attention first.
ECM: You’re passionate about empowering women. What message would you share with moms who feel overwhelmed by the systems they encounter, whether in healthcare, business, or life?
Dr. Urquhart: My advice may sound a little tough, but mothers don’t have time for overwhelm. Start writing, journaling, researching, and using every available resource to find solutions. Keep moving forward until you figure it out.
ECM: When you’re not working, where can we find you and your family spending time in Essex County or Union County?
Dr. Urquhart: We love spending time outdoors in local parks around Montclair and visiting Greenwood Gardens in Short Hills. We’re also foodies and enjoy exploring restaurants throughout New Jersey. Indian, Mediterranean, Korean, Japanese, and classic American cuisine are all favorites.
ECM: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received from another parent?
Dr. Urquhart: The best advice my husband and I received was to live well below our means and always maintain a financial cushion for a rainy day.
ECM: What’s next following the release of your book?
Dr. Urquhart: I’m continuing to participate in media interviews and speaking engagements. I was recently appointed to serve as a medical advisor to the editorial board of Medical Economics, which is an exciting opportunity to continue advocating for patients and healthcare transparency.
ECM: How can readers support your mission and stay connected?
Dr. Urquhart: Follow me on social media, sign up for my newsletter, and most importantly, continue asking questions about healthcare. The more informed patients become, the stronger our healthcare system can be.
Final Thoughts from Essex County Moms
As moms, we often find ourselves navigating healthcare not just for ourselves, but for our children, spouses, and even aging parents. Dr. Urquhart’s message is a powerful reminder that knowledge is one of our greatest tools. Through her work as a physician, author, and advocate, she’s encouraging families to become informed participants in their healthcare journeys and that’s advice every mom can appreciate.