Debra Saliba is a physician and Associate Professor of Medicine at UCLA, where she serves as the Director of the Borun Center for Gerontological Research. She is also a research physician at the Veterans Administration. Saliba grew up in Mobile, Alabama, and moved to Southern California 16 years ago. “We came fully intending to return to Alabama, but really very much liked it here,” she said. Read more about her below.
Q. What is the last habit you tried to kick?
A. Reading too late at night.
Q. If you could live in any other time, when would it be and why?
A. The future. Seeing the changes that have occurred over the last 30 years in terms of technology, it’s really fascinating to think what could happen down the road.
Q. What do you consider to be the greatest simple pleasure?
A. Spending time with family and friends
Q. What do you do to clear your mind?
A. Listen to music or play the piano.
Q. What do you wish you had the nerve to do?
A. I do the things I think are important to do.
Q. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A. An attorney.
Q. What is your favorite cocktail?
A. Beer. Does that count?
Q. What is your greatest extravagance?
A. Travel.
Q. If you could take only one more journey, where would you go?
A. Back to India.
Q. What is your fondest childhood memory?
A. The day we got our puppy.
Q. What is your most prized material possession?
A. It used to be my Ford Taurus, but it stopped running.
Q. Who is the one person living or dead you would most like to meet for dinner?
A. Dorothy Day, who founded the Catholic Worker movement.
To read about Saliba’s panel on long term care, click here.
*Photo by Aaron Salcido.