When she’s not running after her pediatric patients, Vivi Alyeshmerni ʼ94, loves to explore nature with her family and hang out with her sisters, Amy Alyeshmerni ʼ90 and Bessie Alyeshmerni ʼ97. Vivi has been in California since she left for college but misses her Minnesota classmates and family.
Q: Name five things that make you happy
A: Family, trail running, celebrating anything and everything, hugs and teaching kids healthy habits
Q: What is your proudest achievement?
A: Being a warrior mom. I have an incredibly brave and outgoing 8-year-old son who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and celiac disease at a young age. I also am fortunate to raise a caring and thoughtful daughter who supports her big brother through all his challenges. She was born the night of my 25th reunion, and I will forever remember thinking that there has to be a way for me to do both (nevermind that I was living in Orange County, California).
Q: What did you want to be when you were small?
A: An architect
Q: If you could live in a different country for a year, which country would you choose?
A: New Zealand
Q: What are the three values you treasure most in a friendship?
A: I value strength (willingness to work hard for your goals), not taking yourself too seriously (being able to laugh at your mistakes and shortcomings) and being sincere about who you are.
Q: What is the best gift you have been given?
A: My younger sister Bessie ʼ97 is the best gift I have been given! She has been fighting stage 4 breast cancer every day of her life for the last 15 years. Nonetheless she manages to make me laugh every time I talk to her. Watching her attend scans, chemo, physical therapy and various emergency treatments, I have experienced medicine from a different vantage point. Because of this journey I now enjoy providing concierge care for the families I am fortunate enough to help.
Q: Aside from necessities, what is one thing could you not go a day without?
A: Gratitude. The practice of acknowledging all that is working for you vs against you is key to mental survival.
Q: What piece of advice would you give your 16-year-old self?
A: You are your own best friend, so talk nice to yourself at all times. You have the greatest power to make your own happiness.
Q: What's your favorite family tradition?
A: We eat dinner together and everyone has to comment on something they are grateful for.
Q: Is there anything you wish would come back into fashion?
A: Guess zipper bottom jeans!