Don’t Be in a Hurry; Take Your Time with Dr. Alan Wasserman

Alan Wasserman MD is the Eugene Meyer Professor of Medicine and Chair of the Department of Medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He is the former President of the George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates (MFA), which comprises the University’s full-time clinical faculty. Dr. Wasserman completed his medical school from Hahnemann Medical College and residency from Abington Memorial Hospital. He pursued a Fellowship in Cardiology from The George Washington University Medical Center. His Clinical and Research Interests include cardiac imaging, ischemic heart disease, and preventive cardiology. He is a former member of the National Board of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and has been awarded with the John F. Maher Memorial Laureate Award, which honors select Fellows and Masters of the ACP in the DC Chapter who have “shown by their lives and conduct an abiding commitment to excellence in medical care and service to the College”. “I did something I thought was really important and really enjoyed.” That’s how Dr. Wasserman describes discovering his passions and navigating a successful career in medicine. He didn’t have massive reserves of wealth or ostentatious resources; what he did have was an inspiring father, trustworthy mentors, and a passion for what he did. When asked how he made important decisions about his career, he has one advice for all of us: “Don’t be in a hurry. Take your time. It’ll come to you.” Pearls of Wisdom: 1. Our parents and our mentors pay an important role in our lives. Let’s remember that impact with gratitude. 2. The mentor-mentee relationship shouldn’t be one-sided. There should be two active participants: it’s interactive and it’s teamwork. 3. A good internist takes care of what’s in front of them. A great internist is looking beyond: What brought the patient there? Who is your patient?