Welcome to The Medicine Mentors interview series. Our mission is to create a platform for top physician mentors to share key insights, traits and best practices based on their experiences to guide medical students and residents.
Stephen Rennard MD,
is the Larson Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary,
Critical Care and Sleep at the University of Nebraska Medical
Center. He received his medical degree from the Baylor College of
Medicine. He completed Internal Medicine training at the Washington
University in St Louis followed by training in pulmonary diseases
at the National Institutes of Health where he conducted research in
the cell biology of lung disease for the next seven years. He
joined the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1984 as Chief
of Pulmonary & Critical Care, a position he retained until 1997. He
maintains an active program of clinical investigation in COPD and
smoking cessation and a program of basic research in the mechanisms
of lung tissue repair and remodeling, including the role of stem
cells in disease pathogenesis and repair. He is a recipient of
UNMC’s Inaugural Scientist Laureate Award, the highest recognition
given to a UNMC scientist.
“You’re gonna make
it” said a lab tech who Dr. Rennard regarded as an early mentor.
“You’re here on a Sunday morning. You’re gonna make it.” That’s
when it struck: it’s not sleepless nights of studying, having
textbooks for breakfast, or being an ultra-smart genius that shapes
a student into an excellent physician; it is commitment. It is the
commitment to the cause you believe in and having the willingness
to walk the extra mile that will make you successful. Join us as we
listen to Dr. Rennard’s journey at the bench, bedside and in
industry, highlighting commitment as the most important criterion
for success.
Pearls of
Wisdom:
1. The job of being
a good student is to make good teachers. Also, focus on commitment
to the task and openness to improving your understanding as you
go.
2. Commitment is the willingness to work hard and put ourselves in
situations through which we can get the exposure we need to achieve
our goals.
3. Practice your ability to reach out to whoever you need to, and
ask for help. Don’t be afraid to ask because it’s flattering to
whoever you’re asking! It’s nice for them to answer questions they
know the answers to.
About the Podcast
Interviewing physician leaders to tap into their wisdom