February 28, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

I was on Fox News for the 3rd time 2 mornings ago. I’m almost 50 and I think it’s all sorts of hilariousness that while in perimenopause/menopause – I’ve now learned how to be camera-ready. It’s a whole process that honestly does not come naturally to me. I think this is true for a lot of women physicians, as it’s such a grueling process to get through medical training that we don’t have time to care for ourselves. I remember right before Mr. Plastic Picker and I were engaged, doing inpatient pediatrics rotations and hardly making it through the days. I thought I was doing okay, but the amount of stress I was undergoing – I had the worse acne I had ever had in my life. Eating processed sugars, not sleeping much, eating cafeteria hospital food, not being able to wash my face regularly and the amount of stress – it caused a massive breakout before an important time in our lives. I had so much make-up on that day of our actual engagement ceremony and the retin-A I had started was causing a lot of dryness and skin peeling. Anyway, these days being almost mid-century in age, my patients compliment me on my skin.

But to prepare for the news segment, I dyed my roots that night with a box dye. I had the questions ready and prepped the night before. It actually took a few hours as I had to read up on sunscreen and become familiar with the American College of Dermatology webpage on sun safety (which is excellent by the way!). I read and reread and rehearsed the questions (they provide them before hand). We had to be at the Fox studio SUPER EARLY, like 645 am! That meant I had to get up at 530! My morning routine was more careful. I used moisturizer with sunscreen and then a sunscreen and then primer and then concealer and light foundation. I had to remember to draw my eyebrows in really carefully (I have an aunt in Vietnam who will text my mom if my eyebrows seem weird on TV). I even wore a lipstick (or some kind of lip gloss) that someone gave me that works! I don’t buy clothes anymore really (we all have too many clothes), but I know this one dress looks bright. I have boots that actually belong originally to my teen daughter that works. And that’s it!

The interview went well and I’m honestly kind of “on” and “acting” through the entire day. I really love our HMO media person, but this is work and professional so I’m on my best behavior. I’m smiling and cordial, but in an almost exaggerated and caricature kind of way? Do you know what I mean?

I told a few people at our actual clinic already, but the entire morning was really interesting. It’s like this parade of characters coming in through the green room at Fox, waiting to be on the morning news. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. First as I was sitting outside waiting for our HMO media person to come, the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile drove by. It looked like this.

Then you have to get buzzed into the studio (it is politically kind of sensitive times although the local Fox people are great). And then while waiting in the green room, there is that greeting and hand shaking of the staff there. I’ve met them before and they look familiar, and I greet them – a doctor in a clean white coat. They tend to trust pediatricians, and it’s good because I am trust-worthy! While sitting in the green room, I’m the only one with a person – who during this morning even though she is a fantastic friend, I think of her as my “handler” that morning. I’m officially there on behalf of the HMO, so I need to stick with the script and not go rogue! In the waiting room we also met 2 striking looking gentlemen who were indigenous pow-wow singers and they looked very traditionally indigenous with biker clothes. They were really interesting and we shook hands and connected. There were the two women in matching red polo shirts from what I presume was the segment with the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile. And then when I was being led to my segment, I walked by Makeda ‘Dread’ Cheatom who is the founder of the World Beat Center! https://www.worldbeatcenter.org/about-us/people/ I’ve met Makeda before through Tammah Watts, a fellow San Diego Bird Alliance supporter. She invited me to be on her podcast! But it was such a fun time walking by her and waving to her enthusiastically as we were both on Fox that morning.

The actual interview went extremely well. The news segment was sent out to the leadership of our HMO, and I was proud to give us good publicity. I’ve watched the segment several times and posted a snippet on social media which has received many views!!! I have >3000 followers now which is really cool! They are real followers as my account is private. But it went well I think because I have now given countless media appearances and lectures. Practicing and experience have made a difference. I’m comfortable on camera these days especially if it’s something I’m interested in and passionate about. I’m interested in sun protection because I’m a practicing pediatrician who cares about my patient’s largest organ, which is the skin!

So I think I’ve peaked! Wanted to share with the blog readership by real-world experience being on TV. I’m really proud of myself but I’m going to try to relax a bit this weekend. This has been a HECTIC climate week.

Oh, tomorrow I’ll tell the blog readership how I irritated two Stanford academic pediatricians when I could not stay quiet at the APA meeting about AI and the existential crisis that the energy and water demands are causing rural communities. I am a climate activists and I said at this meeting “we need water for living beings and not AI.” Yes I did! I said that in the middle of the APA Region 9-10 meeting. I’ll blog about that one tomorrow.