Focus on Faculty
November 2009
Amy L. Waer, MD
Assistant Professor, Clinical
Surgery
Where were you born?
I was born in Canton, Ohio, and lived there for three years until
we moved to Phoenix, where I grew up.
How/when did you become interested in science and medicine?
My mom held a prominent position in business in Phoenix and encouraged
me to consider that discipline. At that time in high school you
could elect to pursue the business or science track, so as a
result, the first three years of high school I was on the business
track. I took subjects such as shorthand and discovered that
I didn’t have any interest in the field of business. Between
my junior and senior years my mother suggested that I volunteer
at a hospital if I wanted to consider the science track. I volunteered
in one of the plastic surgeon’s clinics, and that is when
I knew my true passion was for science and medicine and that
I wanted to be a surgeon. As a senior I took science courses,
including chemistry, and really enjoyed them.
Tell us about your training and previous positions.
I attended the University of Arizona and graduated with a double
major in biochemistry and microbiology. I was pre-med and had
already determined that I wanted to be a surgeon. I completed
my medical school training at the University of Arizona as well
as my general surgery residency. I then went into private practice
general surgery in Virginia Beach, Va., for seven years.
When did you join the UA faculty?
Since my husband was called to active duty in the Navy, our family
moved to Virginia in 1997 where I worked in private practice.
My ability to teach was limited as only one of the hospitals
where I practiced had residents on rotation. Since this is my
true area of interest, I desired to become involved in an academic
institution where I could devote more time to teaching, and I
returned to the UA as a faculty member in 2004.
When I first returned, my role was to develop the general surgery
service at UPH Kino, and by the end of my first year the residents
were rotating there. At that time I was appointed clerkship director
and found it very satisfying to be involved with the medical students
rotating in surgery. As of July 2009, I became the general surgery
residency program director. I have been a Societies mentor for
four years, and it will be exciting to see my first mentees graduate.
I spend Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons in Societies, where we
do such things as teach how to take a history and do physical exams
at the bedside. I’m very proud that three out of the six
fourth-year medical students who were in my first group are going
into surgery.
In what ways are you engaged with the greater Arizona public?
I am involved in community outreach in Sierra Vista and Green
Valley, where I speak on breast cancer. I also mentor pre-med students
who come to the operating room or clinic and shadow me.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in surgery?
It is very rewarding to operate on a patient, fix their problem,
and observe a successful recovery. I love the hands-on experience,
and there is nothing more gratifying than being in the operating
room. I very much enjoy teaching, and it is nice to walk the
residents through a procedure and see them learn, especially
if they are enthusiastic and interested. The medical students
are just becoming acquainted with surgery in the clerkship, and
it is fascinating to see them develop their passion for it and
mentor this interest.
Was there a teacher or mentor who helped shape your career?
I learned about the mentoring process at the AAMC Early Career
Development course and as a result asked Dr. Gary Dunnington
to be my mentor. I was previously acquainted with him since he
was a faculty member at the UA when I was a student, and we reconnected
several years ago through the Association of Surgical Education
(ASE). He is a general surgeon and chair of surgery at Southern
Illinois University and is very involved in surgical education.
Over the last several years, Dr. Dunnington has been very instrumental
in providing direction and advice regarding my career progression.
Even though he resides at a distance we have kept in contact
through ASE meetings and telephone conversations, which have
proved very helpful.
What is the biggest change you’ve experienced in your field
since you were a student?
The change that has had the most impact in surgery is the reduction
to the 80-hour work week, and it has greatly influenced how surgeons
are trained. The positive effect of this is reflected in better
patient care and the ability of residents to function better as
fatigue plays less of a factor. However, the shorter work week
also limits the number of cases the residents are able to participate
in over their five-year training period and makes it more difficult
to be trained optimally.
Do you have an insight or philosophy that guides you in your professional
work?
My philosophy in terms of the residents and the students is to
always be fair and consistent. This also guides my everyday life.
What are some of your outside interests?
I have two daughters, ages 8 and 10, and my husband and I enjoy
spending time with them and doing things as a family. Since coming
back to Tucson, I have taken a mosaic class at Pima Community
College and made benches and other items which I have in my house
and yard. I have also taken classes on jewelry making and indulge
my creative side by making such items as beaded earrings, necklaces
and bracelets. I find these activities very rewarding.
What do you see as “the future” of medicine?
I think the future holds a lot of changes in terms of the curriculum
for the medical students and hopefully more positive changes
that will enhance training for the residents.
If you could change
one thing about the world of medicine, what would it be?
I would have people entering the field of medicine solely for
the gratification of being able to contribute to patient care rather
than monetary gain.
Finally, what one (or two) piece(s) of advice would you would
give to today’s students?
My advice would be to choose a career that you are passionate
about. Many students are interested in surgery but must really
understand all the components that this involves, such as long
hours, and all the issues that go along with it which can affect
one’s
life. If you are passionate about your chosen field, everything
flows from that. |
