Blogs

AAIM Member Spotlight

April Barbour, MD

Division Chief
Department of Medicine
Division of General Internal Medicine
Program Director, Primary Care Program
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

How long have you been a member of AAIM?

I joined the Alliance (affiliated with APDIM) just over 10 years ago when I first became associate program director at George Washington University.

Describe your typical day.

There is no typical day! On most days I do a combination of patient care (managing my own panel of patients), of teaching (both medical students and residents in clinic), and of administrative work for the division or residency program.

I always have a couple of research projects I’m working on at any given time and the remainder of my time is spent fulfilling duties as division chief/program director, which include trouble shooting and long term planning for the division and residency program.

What is your favorite part of the job?

It is the part of the day when I am seeing patients with residents or students.  I enjoy teaching them how to be good physicians using both art and science.

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

Even in the beginning I remember being surprised and overwhelmed at just how giving members were of their time and resources. It’s nice to be part of a group where people share so willingly.

I’ve gone to the meetings at least once a year since then. I love going to the meetings because it gives me time to think about where we want to go with our residency program, hear what others are doing in their programs and how to adapt it for our residents.

A group of us from GW is looking forward to presenting a workshop at AIMW 2017 in March.

What's your favorite moment of your career so far?

One of my favorite moments is when I become colleagues with former residents and they start to call me by my first name and actually feel comfortable with it.  One of my goals has always been to train my future colleagues well!

I am also very proud to be part of our primary care residency program which is 40 years old this year and very unique. It is fun to work on keeping the program relevant to attract new students.

What was your childhood dream job?

I always said I wanted to be a physician, but I really had no idea what that meant.  I am lucky that it turned out well for me.

How do you spend your free time?

From April through October,  I’m at Nationals Park in DC. I’m a huge baseball fan and enjoy it with my family. I also take advantage of living in D.C., specifically the great museums, theaters and restaurants.  

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

People are often surprised to learn that I am an introvert. They think that people who are introverts are shy and quiet, and I am not that.