We recently connected with Dion Metzger, MD and have shared our conversation below.

Dion, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I am the proud product of immigrant parents. My father is Grenadian and my mother is Jamaican. I was born at Queens General Hospital (Jamaica, NY) in the year they arrived to the United States. To put it simply, my parents are firm believers in hard work and high aspirations. I remember whatever dream I mentioned, being met with a response of navigating me towards fulfilling it. They raised me with a focus not just on education but also on travel, sports and hobbies. My specific interests in tennis and running come from watching Mom and Dad. I believe learning that balance from a young age is a huge contributor to my current success.

Dion , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a Board Certified Psychiatrist with a private practice in Atlanta, Georgia. I earned my M.D. from Morehouse School of Medicine and completed my psychiatry residency at Emory University School of Medicine. I have been recognized as a member of the inaugural classes of 40 under Forty at both Emory University and Morehouse School of Medicine. I also am a health expert who has been featured on The Doctors, Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), ABC, NBC, HLN, Essence and in The New York Times. My motto of “better mind, better life” encourages audiences to prioritize their mental health in life’s balance. I also am the co-author of The Modern Trophy Wife: How To Achieve Your Goals While thriving At Home, a book that gives women the tools to strengthen themselves and their relationships. I am most proud of my work in media where I have been able to reduce the stigma of seeking mental health treatment, especially within communities of color and among new mothers.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Word of mouth has been my best marketing strategy. I believe if you do good work, your clientele will follow. I have built my practice mainly from my patients telling family members, co-workers, friends and colleagues about working with me. A good review from a patient is the best marketing and I am so grateful.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Balance is extremely important in my field. We are currently in a mental health crisis, since the COVID pandemic began, and many psychiatrists are exhausted. In our profession, we help people in their toughest times and that sometimes involves hearing about severe trauma. This can be pretty heavy at times so I am a big supporter of balancing time off with working days (when possible). In order to be the best at my job, I have to be at my strongest mentally. Taking breaks, spending time with loved ones and catching up on movies help me reach that desired balance.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dionmetzgermd.com
• Instagram: dionmetzgermd
• Linkedin: Dion Metzger, M.D.
• Twitter: dionmetzgermd

Image Credits
Allen Cooley is the photographer for two images (white dress and green suit) www.allencooley.com