Virtual Mentor

An Interview With...

Pam Shaw, M.D., Professor
Department of Pediatrics

Recipient of the University of Kansas Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award 2004

POSITION: Chief, Division of Ambulatory Pediatrics and Vice-Chair for Education

WHAT IS YOUR HOMETOWN?
Garnett, Kansas

WHEN DID YOU JOIN THE KUSOM FACULTY?
1990

HOW/WHEN DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN SCIENCE AND MEDICINE?
I was very good at science and math in high school but did not get interested in medicine until college.

IS THERE A TEACHER OR MENTOR WHO HELPED SHAPE YOUR CAREER?
I had a teacher in high school who was very inspirational and an advisor in college who were both instrumental. In medical school I really didn’t have one, but found many teachers that I admired. How did you make the connection? Most of them were assigned.

HOW OR WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE KU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE?
It was in state and my husband had a job in Kansas City.

WHAT KINDS OF PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES OR ADVANTAGES DOES BEING A FACULTY MEMBER AT KUSOM PROVIDE? WHAT ABOUT CHALLENGES?
I think that being in academics is challenging in that you need to stay ahead of the curve in medicine and in education to make a difference. The challenge is that there are many opportunities for change that people are sometimes reluctant to take and that is frustrating.

PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS?
Advocacy for children, immunizations, and breastfeeding.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR OUTSIDE INTERESTS?
I love sports of all kinds (especially KU basketball), reading and being with my family.

IN WHAT WAYS ARE YOU ENGAGED WITH THE GREATER KANSAS PUBLIC?
I am involved with my children’s schools and their activities, I will start as president of the Kansas chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and I sit on four boards, one for child advocacy, one for the governor regarding immunizations, one for SRS regarding peer review and education and one for KDHE to help set child health policy.

DO YOU HAVE AN INSIGHT OR PHILOSOPHY THAT GUIDES YOU IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL WORK?
I really keep in the back of my mind always who I am here for and that is the patient – what is really good for the children would sum it up.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE WORLD (OR THE WORLD OF MEDICINE/SCIENCE), WHAT WOULD IT BE?
The way we finance health and the mess we are in with the uninsured.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHANGE YOU'VE EXPERIENCED IN YOUR FIELD SINCE YOU WERE A STUDENT?
The switch from inpatient medicine to most kids being treated as outpatients.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE?
I think technology is going to help us become better and more efficient - we need to remember that we are still humans interacting with sick and worried individuals though, and still keep it human.

WHAT PARTICULAR SKILLS ACQUIRED DURING YOUR GRADUATE CAREER DO YOU FIND MOST VALUABLE IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAREER TODAY?
I was very lucky that I had a lot of great teachers. I found myself watching how they interact with patients and taking the best of each of them and trying to make it mine. I think modeling good behavior and professional attitudes is extremely important.

WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO:
MEDICAL STUDENTS:
Remember you are here to learn – take advantage of every situation and be kind to patients even when you don’t want to.
RESIDENTS:
Don’t forget that this is a profession and you went into it with the noblest of intentions. Treating and taking care of children is the greatest job in the world.
JUNIOR FACULTY:
If I knew then what I know now … I would make sure to find someone to talk to and bounce things off of – don’t internalize and fret about the small stuff and try to see the big picture.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE KEY REASON THAT LED TO YOUR SELECTION OVER ALL OTHERS IN 2004 FOR BEING PRESENTED ONE OF THE PRESTIGIOUS TEACHING AWARDS – THE CHANCELLOR’S DISTINGUISHED TEACHING AWARD?
I had a wonderful student who felt that I had helped her in her career and she nominated me and followed through on all the necessary paperwork. I hope that I truly did make a difference in her education and career.

AS A VIRTUAL MENTOR, PLEASE OFFER YOUR ADVICE TO NEW AND/OR JUNIOR FACULTY ON A TOPIC OF YOUR CHOICE.
TOPIC:
We Are Here For Them, Patients Aren’t Here For Us
ADVICE:
I would like this to be printed and placed on everyone’s desk so they remember this. I think the most important thing that I have learned in my years of teaching is respect for the patients should be the number one thing that drives your interactions day to day. It is stressful to be a doctor and sometimes you get very depressed that the patients aren’t listening to your advice or you are not making a difference. It is very important to remember why you entered medicine in the first place-it was not for financial reward or for your ego, but to help someone-what a great idea!