Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Jarrett Schanzer.
Hi Dr. Jarrett, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Most children think they are invincible. They identify, for example, with characters in comic movies like The Avengers where Superheroes crushed by a crumbling building come out unscathed. Until the age of nine, I too was naïve about my own mortality, believing I could never be harmed. But all that changed on the cold and snowy morning of December 20, 1995, when my family and I were in an airplane crash at John F. Kennedy Airport. Thankfully, we all survived. But, for the first time, I began to understand and appreciate the fragility of life and quickly learned that no one is invincible. Looking back, this experience put me on the path toward becoming a doctor and discovering the value in preservation of life. Ever since the day my family and I walked away from that plane crash, I have tried to pay it forward. As the late, unforgettable actor and comedian Robin Williams in Patch Adams said, “If you treat a disease, you win, you lose. But if you treat a person, I guarantee you, you’ll win every time.” Life should be about helping others, and if possible making them smile; that is my goal and passion.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I remember being told that becoming a doctor would be challenging, almost impossible, and that for most people, it cannot be done. My entire life I’ve struggled with a learning disability, which required me to not only study twice as long as most people, but I also had to get creative with the ways I learned material. I also suffered from severe, almost debilitating Lyme disease with coinfections toward the end of my anesthesiology residency training, but with a great support system from my parents and brother, and my own undying willingness to persevere despite obstacles, I didn’t let this stop me from achieving my dreams. I graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors and a Bachelors in Exercise Physiology and Masters in Nutrition; and consistently finished near the top 10% of my class in med school and residency. Whatever your dreams may be, find the strength, courage, and stamina, and shatter everyone’s expectations! “If you’re not willing to learn, no one can teach you, if you’re determined to learn, nothing can stop you.” If you have health issues or are simply struggling with being able to focus or feel motivated or feel stuck in life with recurring thoughts, even mild depression/anxiety, recognize that these circumstances are not an endpoint; reframe your mindset, find a good healthcare provider to help you, as well as a mentor or counselor, and try and become your biggest fan. Self care and mental health are so important and too often overlooked. Learn to love yourself; cleanse and detox, and feed your body with exercise and healthy food; and get out there and take control of your life! In the words of Eminem, “If you had one shot, or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted, in one moment, would you capture it, or just let it slip?”
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
When I was a kid I wanted to be an actor, but I also wanted to be a doctor. I thought acting might be a huge gamble, but knew that if I studied really hard and gave it my whole heart, I’d have a better chance at becoming a good doctor. Fast forward many years of school and training later, today, I get to be a doctor and do so many cool different things: As an anesthesiologist in the hospital, I am privileged to care for patients undergoing various major surgeries. Though while emotionally exhausting at times to care for very ill patients, it is rewarding and comforting to know that I can make a difference in their lives. As an Attending Anesthesiologist in Miami for two years now, anesthesia has opened many doors for me into other ventures that I might not have otherwise discovered. Social media and networking with plastic surgeons and dermatologists inspired me to transition into aesthetic medicine where I created my own business in 2020, Doctor Jarrett LLC. You can find me traveling all over South Florida (and perhaps soon beyond) for “botox parties”, IVs and soon concierge antiaging medicine. I have achieved my dream of becoming a doctor but my other dream of acting is still on my radar. I aspire to bring it all together with the help of my social media platforms that I have built to reach over 150k followers, namely Instagram and Tiktok, where you can find me posting inspirational quotes, medical content, memes and my favorite, fun acting skits. I’m proud of myself for overcoming many obstacles to get where I am today, but this is just the beginning! Now I’m just trying to fine tune the details in my recipe for what it means to be happy and fulfilled in life.
Any big plans?
I want to fall in love with life and feel like I’m never working. To me that entails helping others achieve optimal health and happiness through anesthesia, fitness and nutrition, lifestyle medicine, functional medicine, antiaging medicine, aesthetic medicine and comedy. I aspire to always add my own humor and spark and encourage everyone to let their personality shine, because if you are not being yourself all the time, then who are you being the rest of the time? I’m excited to see where life takes me. Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram. I try my best to respond to everyone.
Contact Info:
- Email: JSchanzer@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorjarrett/
