My name is Igor Sister (Igor Vladimirovich Sister), I am a Ukrainian born Jew.

I had a privilege to study Medicine at Ryazan State Medical University from 1981 to 1987. Group #14. Some of my classmates still work and teach in Ryazan and RSMU.

I graduated with the MD degree. My specialty is Internal Medicine – (Vrach Terapevt).

My choice of the professional path in Medicine was influenced by lectures and classes of Professor Nogaller and Professor Garmash. Their knowledge of Medicine, ability to connect and explain different complaints and findings patients presented with; confirm or rule out diagnosis with an excellent examination technique or appropriate ancillary tests left great impression on me and influenced my decision in choice of the specialty.

After graduation from RSMU I was sent to Penza and started to work as an inpatient Internal Medicine Physician in the hospital of the Ministry of the Rail Roads.

In 1990 I immigrated to Israel. After a year of studying the language (Hebrew) and studying for the License Exam I was able to pass it and shortly joined residency program in Internal Medicine and then a Fellowship in Geriatrics. I passed the Israeli Board Exams in both specialties and assumed the position of the Head of Geriatric department and Geriatric Fellowship Director in one of the hospitals up north of Israel.

I fell in love with Geriatrics for a few reasons: 1) the majority of patients in the hospital are in geriatric age (greater than 65), and I wanted to know more about the physiology of aging; 2) I liked the functionality of the Geriatric approach to the patient: Impairment-Disability-Handicap. In 2002 I relocated to the USA where I had to re-do my training in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics.

I am currently working as a Hospitalist (Inpatient Internal Medicine Physician) in the rural area of South Carolina.
My usual work schedule is 7 days on followed by 7 days off. (Practically on vacation every other week). Each day is a 12-hour shift (7:AM-7:PM or 7:PM-7:AM).

After practicing Medicine for more than 30 years I still love and enjoy doing it. I love the interaction with my patients and colleagues. I like the daily challenge of unmasking diseases and conditions and being able to help my patients. I would strongly advise my young colleagues who are just choosing their path in Medicine to choose wisely… It is easy to burn out and succumb to the daily grind and pressure, but if you truly love what you are doing, then even after a hard day at work you feel that you were hardly working.