President, Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus
Professor and Vice Chair of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Investigator, OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center
What do you like best about practicing medicine at Ohio State and Nationwide Children’s Hospital?
I relish the fact that at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, we are innovative and entrepreneurial compared with most peers in academics, and all the while we are committed to delivering the best care for all children, regardless of their ability to pay. Further, I am delighted that our pediatric faculty is part of the Ohio State community and highly valued for our collaboration, collegiality and intellectual exchange.
What excites you most about the future of medicine?
The future of medicine is exciting. We already have the tools to solve some of the most daunting diseases of childhood. The challenge will be to overcome the many barriers we face in implementing these advances in a just and cost-efficient manner, so that care is equally available regardless of a child’s economic situation or geographic location.
How do you think P4 Medicine (medicine that is more predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory) will change your specialty over the next 10 years?
I see P4 Medicine as a journey, not a destination. In pediatric gastroenterology, we have been practicing something akin to P4 for many years, using genetics of drug metabolism to predict optimal doses to manage inflammatory bowel disease. As the pace of personalized medicine accelerates, we can accomplish much more. I’m optimistic that we can effectively address ethical and educational issues to keep up with technological advances.
Name one of your medical career mentors and tell us what you learned from him/her.
My department chair in residency training was my most influential mentor — the late David Karzon, MD. He directly influenced me toward a career in academics. An infectious disease specialist, he was the consummate academician who taught that every disease has “a thousand unanswered questions.” He created in me a spirit of inquiry that I still possess today.
What advice do you have for young physicians early in their careers?
Over the years, I have identified what I think are key characteristics of successful young (and older) physicians: optimism, integrity, ambition, curiosity, empathy, self-awareness and authenticity.
Who in history would you most like to meet and why?
I recently have become a student of the life of Abraham Lincoln. I would like to have talked with him during his early years to understand the forces and attributes that enabled a poor, humble, and rural Kentucky farmer to later become a leader able to successfully guide our country through arguably the most troubled time in our history.
What are your hobbies or volunteer activities?
Lately, my life has been positively changed by participating in Pelotonia, a bike tour that raises money for cancer research at the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center. I am now a fanatic road biker. It is a wonderful outlet for fun and exercise with family and friends.
Rising star: Although it is very difficult to name just one person among the dozens of outstanding young scientists here at Nationwide Children’s, I must say that Brian Kaspar, PhD, associate professor of Pediatrics and of Neuroscience, and a neuroscientist in our Center for Gene Therapy, who is focusing on basic and translational studies related to neurological and neuromuscular disorders, is a “rising star.” His zeal for science is infectious; his passion for collaboration and his productivity are utterly outstanding.
CV summary
Medical Degree: University of Mississippi
Residency: Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University
Fellowships: Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University
National Offices or Board Positions:
• President-elect, Children’s Digestive Health and Nutrition Foundation
• President, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Clinical Interests: Gastroenterology; nutrition; pediatric gastroenterology.
Research Interests: Regulation of intestinal epithelial growth by transforming growth factor beta.
