HOW/WHEN DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN SCIENCE AND MEDICINE?
Childhood. My father was a research scientist but I was attracted by the diversity of topics in medicine.

IS THERE A TEACHER OR MENTOR WHO HELPED SHAPE YOUR CAREER?
Several – mostly made connections at work or with outside mentors through specialty meetings.

HOW OR WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE KU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE?
I had no choice!

WHAT KINDS OF PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES OR ADVANTAGES DOES BEING A FACULTY MEMBER AT KUSOM PROVIDE? WHAT ABOUT CHALLENGES?
Advantages:
Students who ‘get it’. An interesting clinical practice with lots of control and the ability to serve people who would not otherwise get good care – and I could not afford to serve were I in private practice. I love teaching, writing and "talking shop". Can do research. Get to work with interesting colleagues. Enjoy great support from technical, library and other services.

Challenges:
keeping up the energy, navigating complex systems, dealing with organizational frustrations, including interdepartmental and inter-specialty snobberies and rivalries.

PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS?
Primary care and ‘first contact medicine’, geriatrics, care of the long-term facility resident, headaches, migraine. Medical education, editing and coaching writers.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR OUTSIDE INTERESTS?
Cooking, gardening, reading, history, travel, politics.

IN WHAT WAYS ARE YOU ENGAGED WITH THE GREATER KANSAS PUBLIC?

DO YOU HAVE AN INSIGHT OR PHILOSOPHY THAT GUIDES YOU IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL WORK?
yes

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE WORLD (OR THE WORLD OF MEDICINE/SCIENCE), WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Give people hope and reasonable expectations of a good life for themselves and their families.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHANGE YOU'VE EXPERIENCED IN YOUR FIELD SINCE YOU WERE A STUDENT?
Too many to count! Probably the realization of the power of the first contact physician to manage almost all conditions well and contribute significantly to long-term health of patients.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE?
Hopeful in science and caring for people, including better communication. Miserable in how systems are organize and health services run in this county.

WHAT PARTICULAR SKILLS ACQUIRED DURING YOUR GRADUATE CAREER DO YOU FIND MOST VALUABLE IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAREER TODAY?
Applied epidemiology/statistics an the ability to use scientific literature.

WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO:
MEDICAL STUDENTS:
learn as an adult i.e. don’t just read and listen but process, expand and adapt information so you can use it.

GRADUATE STUDENTS:
keep pushing yourself. Be curious about other disciplines and how to make synergy with them.

RESIDENTS:
KEEP FOCUSED ON THE PATIENT. Don’t let the system change you

JUNIOR FACULTY:
If I knew then what I know now … Talk to me or someone about the organization, your aspirations, and how to make it great.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE KEY REASON THAT LED TO YOUR SELECTION OVER ALL OTHERS IN FOR BEING PRESENTED ONE OF THE AWARDS LISTED ABOVE?
a. Chancellor’s distinguished Teaching Award: being pushy
b. Kemper Award: ditto
c. Student Voice Award (from any category): being funny

AS A VIRTUAL MENTOR, PLEASE OFFER YOUR ADVICE TO NEW AND/OR JUNIOR FACULTY ON A TOPIC OF YOUR CHOICE.

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Mentoring

Virtual Mentor

An Interview With...

Anne D. Walling, MB ChB Professor Family and Community Medicine - Wichita

Anne D. Walling, MB ChB
Professor
Family and Community Medicine - Wichita