Dr. G. Kim Bigley, M.D., July 2016

Each day our community faculty illustrate their commitment to educating future physicians through their passion for teaching and examples of excellence. The Office for Community Faculty would like to shine a spotlight on one of the greatest assets of the School of Medicine, our community faculty. You are making a difference in the lives of medical students,patients, and in our communities.

This month's Community Faculty Spotlight is G. Kim Bigley, M.D., clinical associate professor of neurology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. His nominators report that Dr. Bigley "is always willing to help, a great clinician and an invaluable member of the Department of Neurology faculty." Thank you for your service Dr. Bigley, we appreciate you.

How long have you been serving as a community faculty member?

I was hired in 1981 as a full-time faculty member in the Department of Medicine. As of 1987, I have been in practice as well as a community faculty member.

How do you serve?

I generally serve by precepting medical students and medical residents, as well as geriatric fellows on the inpatient neurology services. In the past, I also served as an attending with the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System.

What is your favorite part about being a community faculty member?

Interacting with enthusiastic, intelligent young students. I have friends who are educators in other fields, such as high school or community college teachers, and it is clear that the difference in medical education is the level of commitment and enthusiasm of our students. It has been an absolute pleasure to see students that I have been involved with become integrated in the community as practicing physicians and colleagues.

What would you tell other physicians who are thinking about serving as a community faculty member?

I think that at least for me, it has been a great learning experience. If you have to teach, you really have to know the information.

Please share an experience you've had as community faculty member that was impactful for you.

One of my first medical students in the early 1980's went on to do a medicine residency and then oncology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She later was involved in pharmaceutical development at Genentech. She become Provost of UCSF and she is now the CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Why do you continue serving as a community faculty member with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine?

I serve because it is a rewarding experience and one of the major benefits of being associated with Renown and the Renown Neurology Department.