Gary Schoolnik Assumes Role as First Master Clinician
June 17, 2009: Gary Schoolnik MD appeared modest as he stepped into his role as Department of Medicine’s first master clinician at Medical Grand Rounds in front of an audience of colleagues and new interns.
For today’s MGR program, Schoolnik, professor of medicine in infectious disease and microbiology and immunology, presented highlights of his research findings and clinical work during a 2007 cholera epidemic in Bangladesh. A moving video portrait provided a visual representation of a small portion of the 1000 people who sought treatment for the disease at local hospitals every day.
After questions from the audience, Abraham Verghese MD, professor of medicine and senior associate chair presented Schoolnik with his award. He commented on how much experience medical students, interns, and residents could gain by modeling Schoolnik’s clinical bedside manner. “I observed the tremendous reverence he had when entering the patient’s room, the intense respect he has for the patient’s family, and how attentive he is when extracting history and observing the physical signs.”
MGR ended with a heartwarming round of applause. Schoolnik will serve as master clinician for 2 years. He will have an annual lectureship, oversee several grand rounds and participate in bedside teaching rounds and seminars. As a representative of other excellent DOM faculty, Schoolnik hopes to pass his clinical skills onto a new generation.