Photos courtesy of Lawrence Sherman
What do you do for a living?
I am a global medical and interprofessional educator; I spent more than 25 years designing and implementing continuing education programs for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals and teams. I now focus on the continuing professional development of health professions educators those who teach the clinicians. I have worked on educational activities and projects on six continents and in more than 10 languages.
What’s the most transformative or meaningful trip you’ve taken?
In November 2017 I finally got to visit Israel. I’m Jewish, so this was an incredibly meaningful and long-overdue trip! It was a beautiful, historic, and deeply powerful—albeit short—visit. I cannot wait to get back.
What’s the best thing you’ve eaten on your travels?
I love to eat local foods when I travel, and some of the best things that I have eaten were chili crab, oyster omelets, and carrot cake in Singapore; hot-potcooked bullfrog and duck blood in China; uni sushi in Tokyo; a traditional platter of delicacies in Munich during Oktoberfest; haggis and neeps and tatties in Scotland; reindeer in Helsinki … I could go on and on!
Who is the most interesting person you’ve sat next to during your travels?
Another question that has multiple answers: I was lucky enough to sit next to NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry about one month after sitting next to NHL Hall of Famer Mark Messier. I flew one seat in front of Ban Ki-moon when he was Secretary-General of the United Nations, and just behind former U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown (I was next to one of his bodyguards). I sat next to Phil X, guitarist for Bon Jovi, when he learned, in flight, that his child had been born. I have had other encounters in the United Clubs, including Buzz Aldrin, Carl Lewis, and Madeleine K. Albright.
What new skill have you picked up on your travels?
I enjoy learning words in new languages, and during my travels I have learned 15 to 20 words in more than 10 languages.
What place is at the top of your bucket list?
I have never been on a safari, so Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa top my list.
What do you like to wear when you fly?
I have a couple of favorite T-shirts from The Points Guy that have great sayings: “Namast’ay in First Class” is one, and another is “I’m Going Straight from SIN to HEL.” And I find Prana Stretch Zion hiking pants to be most comfortable when I am flying.
Which famous person—living or dead—would be your dream seatmate?
Living: Paul McCartney. No longer living: Thomas Jefferson. But the list of runners-up in each category goes on for pages!
Next Up: The Frequent Flyer: Michelle Lucas
