Dr. Simon Moore (’05), a Trinity Western alumnus and family doctor in Vancouver, BC, has recently published two children's picture books called Mommy is Becoming a Family Doctor and Daddy is Becoming a Family Doctor. But these are far more than just cute stories about a medical school graduate training to be a family physician. On every page, Dr. Moore has included hidden clues in each of the drawings that point to childhood developmental milestones and teach safety risks to parents.
“For example, in one of the drawings, there is a crib with a drinking bottle in the bed,” explains Dr. Moore. “This is designed to teach that babies shouldn't be put to bed with a bottle as this can lead to tooth decay.”
Dr. Moore always knew that he wanted to write a book one day, but he never expected his road to publication would start with children’s books. And while on the surface, these books may appear to be written for children, they are really intended to help parents as they learn about key developmental milestones and safety tips.
Dr. Moore says that teaching has become his favourite part of medicine. He loves to put together engaging lectures and
to explain diagnoses to patients.
Book inspired by life's challenges
The idea for the books came to him one day as he, a parent himself, was considering the huge challenge it can be for medical students to balance studying while spending time with their children. As he wrestled with the thoughts of balancing parenthood and career, the idea for his first book was born.
“My kids helped me with the planning and the illustrations, and I think it helped them realize what a challenging journey it can be to train as a physician,” Dr. Moore says. He hopes that other children who read this book will also be able to both recognize that it is hard to have a parent who is away at night (either studying or working) and that they can be proud of what their parent is doing.
When asked when he first recognized this passion, Dr. Moore says it all started when he taught a chemistry lab at Trinity Western. The experience provided him new opportunities to present complex concepts to students in engaging ways.
Passion for medicine and teaching
Dr. Moore says that teaching has become his favourite part of medicine. He loves to put together engaging lectures and to explain diagnoses to patients.
“Every year, I travel to multiple cities to teach doctors how to prepare for their Family Medicine licensing exam,” explains Dr. Moore, who co-founded The Review Course for students studying for the Canadian Certification Examination in Family medicine. “I'm always looking for ways to help people learn in a fun and engaging way.”
When asked when he first recognized this passion, Dr. Moore says it all started when he taught a chemistry lab at Trinity Western. The experience provided him new opportunities to present complex concepts to students in engaging ways.
“Years later, a former student approached me and told me that they remembered me holding up balloons to try and explain the concept of a specific atomic reaction,” recalls Dr. Moore. “It was a really magical moment seeing students grasping the concept while I was waving balloons in the air, but also seeing that it had stuck in their memory years down the road. I've been trying to make that magic happen ever since.”
Dr. Moore is thankful to Trinity Western for providing him the foundation he needed to complete medical school in 2010 and for helping him recognize the power of teaching and sharing knowledge with the next generation, something he plans to do for the rest of his life.
To learn more about Dr. Moore and how these books double as a study tool for doctors and medical students studying for the Canadian Certification Examination in Family medicine, please visit Dr. Moore's website.
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Words by Jonathan Fehr ('09) Director of Alumni Engagement and Communications.