About

Over the past 36 years I’ve loved being a doctor – and want to help you love it, too.  I’ve had a fascinating and fulfilling career, initially practicing as a general internist and then as a procedural specialist, caring for patients with vein disorders. I’ve been an employee in a large, multi-specialty group and have run my own, solo practice. As Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at UC- San Diego School of Medicine, I’m thrilled to be teaching medical students crucial communication skills along with many other aspects involved in the practice of medicine.

To further my understanding and expertise in communication, I augmented extensive research with training by VitalSmarts in Crucial Conversations. The skills I learned are easy to acquire and really work to improve the effectiveness and outcome of communication in personal and professional interactions. Certifications in Genos International’s Emotional Intelligence,  Myers-Briggs Personality Type (MBTI), and Wiley’s Everything DiSC Work of Leaders Assessments allow me to provide important information to my clients on their natural methods of communication, how they interact with others, and how best to enhance effectiveness at home and at work.

Looking for a way to help my clients find the deeper beliefs that were holding them back, I trained with Lucid Living in Great Story Coaching and am awed by the positive changes my clients have made through this work.

While practicing medicine, my physician husband and I raised two children who are thriving in their lives, and I maintained close ties with our extended families. A strong advocate for my specialty, I served as president of the American College of Phlebology (ACP), chair of the membership fundraising drive for the American College of Phlebology Foundation and chair the Leadership Development Committee of the ACP.  In addition to being a Cub Scout leader, the manager of a girls’ softball team, vice president of the San Dieguito chapter of the National Charity League, and a school library volunteer, I enjoyed time with family and friends, hiking with our dog, reading, riding horses, cooking and scuba diving.  My new passion is playing bass guitar.

I know how hard we physicians work to become expert and maintain our competence, and how different the practice of medicine has become. Many have become disillusioned and unhappy because of this. My desire to help them recapture their love of medicine is what drew me to the field of coaching. Coaching allows physicians to discover what aspects of their practice and their life no longer work well for them, and how to make the shifts that will align their life with their true values and goals. Being a part of my clients’ transformations is gratifying and inspiring.

I’m passionate about communication because I realize how much physicians care about their patients and how committed we are to their health and wellbeing. Good communication can make a huge difference in improving clinical outcomes, reducing the risk of malpractice claims and strengthening our relationships, and there is considerable data that shows which specific skills make a difference. I’m excited to share these vital skills with you so you will experience more joy in being a part of the noblest and most inspiring profession in the world.

If you would like to discuss how we might work together, please contact me at helanefronekmd@gmail.com or fill in the box below. Let’s schedule a complimentary call so you can see if coaching might help you improve your communication skills or find your way to a more fulfilling and joyful life. I look forward to hearing from you.