Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Fabius Santos. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Fabius, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
This is a great question, it really took me a long time to find my purpose. For most of my life, I was on autopilot just doing things that I thought were fun. Growing up, you learn in school and from the media that its all about making a lot of money.. The American Dream. That making a lot of money is the end all be all. I did not grow up with much money and I am fortunate because I think I would be a different person if I had grown up differently. I have seen how money can change people and I knew when I went into nursing school that I needed a career where I would feel a sense of purpose. I was originally a business major and changed the course and switched to nursing because I really wanted to find fulfillment.
As I went on through school and went through my masters (Psych Nurse Practitioner) and my Doctorate in nursing practice, I learned a lot working in healthcare. I learned a lot about gratitude and really the fulfillment of helping others. When a patient tells you how much they impacted their life, it is something that I am unable to explain. There is no amount of money that will fulfill you, but empowering others when they need help and to watch them grow and succeed is the best feeling. That is truly how I found my purpose.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a Doctor of Nursing Practice and also a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I am the owner of Optimal Psychiatry and Wellness in White Marsh, Maryland. We opened up in 2020 and have been growing at a rapid pace to help serve our communities mental health needs.
What sets apart from other practices is that we truly value spending time with our clients, our mission is to get away from rushed appointments and actually spend time with clients to get to know their story. Our mission is that you don’t have to deal with your mental health issues alone, we want to be there to support you in any way we can. We are a group of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners who serve clients from the ages of 14 in up for psychiatric medication management. Our specialists focus on Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, and PTSD. We offer ADHD Testing, Tova Testing, Alpha Stim, Aroma therapy and Medication Management.
We currently take commercial insurance only and offer virtual and in person appointments. We do plan on offering primary care services and therapy services in the near future!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
This is such a great question! The three qualities that come to my mind are resiliency, empathy, and ambition. These all paid a large part in the success of the company but also for my personal goals as well.
I think life can be hard and you never what to expect.. We have to be resilient because stressors will always be a part of our lives but how we bounce back or how we respond is how we go on. You can’t control the cards you’re deal but how you play them. Empathy is significant in the mental health field but also in day to day life. All of us as people owe it to others to try and understand others perspectives. I don’t think someone is born ambition but that they can achieve anything they are set out to do. We live one life and you owe it to yourself to be the best person you can be physically, mentally, and also career wise.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
I think my parents did the best they could for me and I will always be grateful. I just remember that for our parents, this is the first time they have ever been parents also so you have to give them grace with things you maybe did not agree with.
They moved from the Philippines to America to give me a chance at a better life. What kind of person would I be to not take advantage of the opportunity? Growing up, we had enough.. We always had food on the table, I was able to go to school. We might not have had a nice house or luxury cars but we had each other and that was all we needed. Deep down, I have always wanted to make them proud. I am grateful for all the lessons they have taught me in life, how to be a better person, how to stand up for myself. I could go on and on but without them I would never be here. I achieved everything because of them. They have taught me how to be the best parent I can be with my own child and I am enjoying every minute of being a parent. I am so lucky to have my parents, and just wish them good health and happiness as they get older.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Optimal-Psychiatry.com
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePsychNP
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