Blogs

Adrian Abreo, MD, MAS
Associate Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency
Chair, Williams Academic Society
Louisiana State University School of Medicine (Shreveport)

How long have you been a member of AAIM?

My involvement with AAIM began in 2017 through my work with our Internal Medicine Clerkship and Internal Medicine Residency Program.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Undoubtedly, my favorite part of the job is teaching and advising medical students, residents, and fellows. More specifically, there is an immense satisfaction when a learner finds value in your advice, and you see the impact that you have on the career of a student or resident.

How has the AAIM membership been of value to you and your career?

AAIM has been instrumental in shaping our medicine training programs. An example of the impact of AAIM came during the COVID-19 pandemic when every program leader felt like they were in unchartered territory. The AAIM recommendations for the application cycle during the pandemic were instrumental in tailoring our approach.

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in the medical field?

As a child, I loved science experiments and my science classes. I would wake up on Saturday morning and watch the children’s science show Mr. Wizard’s World with a pencil and paper in hand to take notes for replicating his experiments. The path to medicine felt very natural. The concept of mastering a wide array of facts and using that knowledge to treat another person was compelling to me.

What or who inspires you and why?

I am fortunate to have academic roles models in my family. My mother is an Emeritus Professor of Pathology, and my father recently retired as Chief of Nephrology.  Both have won the highest teaching award at my institution, in part due to their ability to connect with learners and establish a nurturing learning environment. I am also inspired by the countless educators I have encountered who dedicate their often-limited time to share their passion for internal medicine with students and residents.

What advice would you give to those who wish to pursue a career in this industry?

Academic medicine takes patience, humility, and empathy. The most effective leaders in academic medicine have an ability to understand the challenges that a medical student or resident may face. My advice is to make problem-solving a collaborative process, if possible.  My nephrology program director at UCSF asked the fellows to bring a potential solution when they identified a problem. I found this approach focused everyone’s attention on the solution instead of solely on the problem. I have since carried this spirit of collaborative problem-solving to my various academic roles.

What is your favorite book or movie?

One of my favorite movies is Robert Redford’s Quiz Show.  It is a cautionary tale, based on true events, of the consequences of having a cracked moral compass.