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The state of medicine today is just my patients, ‘Would I give you bad
like the world at the moment—it’s information or something that
tumultuous. But partisan controversies would hurt you?’” And lastly, she is

and bureaucratic red tape aside, the concerned about younger physicians

positive aspects of medicine are and their need for set hours and work/
quite monumental. Hauger is not the life balance. “I get it, and those things

only physician blown away by the are critically important—but being a
advances in science. “Like others have physician requires sacrifices. It is a lifetime

said before me, it is unheard of for commitment to the greater good; young

a vaccine to come out so fast. It is people need to understand the profound
incredible that the COVID vaccine was responsibility they have.”

available during the pandemic itself. During her off hours, Dr. Hauger
I mean SCIENCE! OMG!” Hauger enjoys people, travel (she once dreamed
goes on to cite the advances in precision of being a glamorous airline stewardess),

medicine—genomics, looking at genetic food, swimming, and reading. She even
predispositions, as well as the artificial admits to keeping poetry in her powder

intelligence in the works to aid physicians, room. “Oh yeah, you can enjoy Mary
A day with granddaughter, Pearl as further proof that the positives in Oliver, Robert Frost, or Maya Angelou
medicine today are worthy of excitement. while you’re in there.”
explains. And as for how she decided to As for her concerns about Being named TCMS Physician of the
go into pediatrics, all it took was seeing medicine, well . . . she has a few. “I am Year was a shock. “When I got the call,
a newborn exam during med school. concerned about the expanding I was astounded—I mean, WHAT? I am
“The doctor did the exam with such disparities in care and health inequities. honored beyond words. It is amazing that
love and tenderness in his touch,” she I am worried about the affordability my peers think so much of my work,” she
smiles. “Seeing the reflexes of a newborn of medical care and its inaccessibility.” says. As with every physician honored
and how they develop, I just love the In addition, Hauger finds the lack of by TCMS, Hauger says she can name
physiology of it all.” basic self-care/medical knowledge in the physicians way more deserving of this

During her undergraduate years community—like how to eat right— award than herself. But her peers feel

at the University of Texas, El Paso, extremely worrisome. “And of course, otherwise. “Dr. Hauger has practiced in
Dr. Hauger met her husband, David I have a huge issue with vaccine Austin for many years and as the only
Mark. At the time, she was 16 and he was hesitancy,” she says with force. “I ask practicing Pediatric ID physician. She
20. “It was a good sign when he didn’t
run away screaming,” she laughs. They
married after grad school (then ages
21 and 25, respectively). “It’s been 47
years—go figure,” she says. Together they is a consummate educator for those
have two children. Their son, Alex, 42, in the hospital as well as those in the
is an executive in commercial insurance community. She has given presentations
and their daughter, Olivia, 33, is a for TCMS and the community and is a
registered dietician. Her cherished model physician with her intelligence,
granddaughter, Pearl, is aged seven. diligence, willingness to serve, and
Family is a priority to Hauger—her father dedication to her patients and the families
is 98 and her mother, to whom she was and children of Austin and beyond.”
very close, passed in 2017. A beautiful In addition to Dr. Hauger’s award
drawing of her and her mother hangs winning qualities, she is very
above her desk. “She was very special complimentary of Texas organized
to me,” she says. “She had a long illness medicine. “I have practiced in Chicago
and not a ‘good’ death. She was in a and NYC and have seen organized
hospital in Houston and when I would medicine at work there too. But I have
drive to see her, I would listen to audio never been a part of such an organized
books about life and death. The whole group of physicians with their hearts
experience taught me a lot.” When Dr. in the right place. Over the last two
Hauger is practicing, she applies what years, Travis County Medical Society has
she learned during her mother’s illness. provided so much information, resources,
“When I am with a family with a child and fellowship.”
in that situation, I ask myself what I Austin should be very glad
can do to give them calmness. That is she did not become a glamorous airline
so important.” stewardess after all.
Proud parents at daughter, Olivia’s wedding

TCMS 2022 November • December 13