September 28, 2023

Standardized Patient Profile — Cynthia Dillaha-Lemley

Name :   Cynthia Dillaha-Lemley

How long you have been a standardized patient (SP)?

I have been an SP for 10 years.

Why did you become a SP?

I am an SP because in college I started having weird symptoms and the doctors at the U of A health clinic told me it was most likely stress related. Fast forward five years. . . I started having weird symptoms again after the birth of my oldest son. The doctors told me I was stressed and most likely had a pulled muscle and to try Prozac and muscle relaxers. I was nursing so I pushed through for another year until my symptoms became too much to bear. I went back to my doctor, unhappy with the answers. I went to my grandparents’ doctor. The answer from him was unacceptable. “If it comes and goes, I’m sure it will go away soon.” I immediately got out my insurance provider book and found a YOUNG. . . NEW. . . UAMS graduate, Dr. Michael Fisher and within two weeks I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

That was 24 years ago. Dr. Robert Lee Archer, here at UAMS, is my neurologist and has kept me healthy and going since then. He is the gold standard of who and what a doctor should be. In fact, all my doctors are at UAMS. Between being a standardized patient and a real patient, UAMS feels like my second home.

Dr. Fisher and Dr. Archer are why I am an SP.

Tell us about your career/life other than the SP work that you do. 

Before becoming a SP, I was a pharmaceutical representative. I enjoyed working with the numerous medical professionals in the field. And before that I spent my time as the financial development director at the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross.

In my free time, I love hanging out with my friends and family. I have two grown boys, Connor and Cole. My sisters Katie and Tansil both live in Little Rock. Between them, I have two nieces and four nephews under the age of 10 and they think “Aunt” is the coolest person to hang with. I love my little peeps, they keep me going. I’m active in the 20^th Century Club, Chapter W of PEO, an alumni of Leadership Greater Little Rock and a Little Rock Junior League Sustainer.

What is your favorite thing about being an SP?

I enjoy being an SP because it feels good knowing that I’m making a difference in someone’s future.

I’ve learned that it’s ok to leave a doctor if you aren’t happy with them.

My sister Tansil is an SP too and I love getting to work with her.

What’s a memorable experience you’ve had as an SP?

The funniest feedback I have had to give was to tell a young man that twirling his mustache with his tongue throughout the encounter was a bit distracting. He was so embarrassed. He knew it was a habit of his but had no idea he was doing it. And doing Zoom encounters during Covid gave me an insight into the personal spaces of students (not always neat!)

Find out more about the UAMS Standardized Patient program at medicalsim.uams.edu/standardized-patients.