Dr. Christopher J. Rowan, November 2017

Each day our community faculty illustrate their commitment to educating future physicians through their passion for teaching and examples of excellence. In earlier newsletters, community faculty spotlights were nominated by departments. Our medical students and residents also wanted the opportunity to highlight and show gratitude to their community faculty. This month, Michael D. Young, MS2, shines a spotlight on Christopher J. Rowan, M.D., Renown Institute for Heart & Vascular Health; Clinical Assistant Professor, specialty in Cardiology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.

I showed up to Renown ready to go from room to room trying to catch up on what was happening with the patients. When I got there, however, it was fairly calm. Dr. Rowan had me listen to a patient with severe aortic stenosis and another with atrial fibrillation. Most of the afternoon he spent teaching me; drawing diagrams and explaining stroke volume insufficiency after a mitral valve replacement, or going over Fick's Law. I was surprised that we were not seeing many patients and after a few hours, I asked him about this. It turns out that he had been off work for a couple of hours. He had arrived at 5:30 am and instead of leaving after he finished work, he decided to spend that time teaching me.

I was extremely surprised by this and felt very grateful. Throughout my preceptorship he took the extra time to teach, showing me how to evaluate medical literature, helping me think through complex physiology while maintaining a friendly down to earth demeanor. One afternoon a nurse asked him why he always had students with him. He explained that he felt it was part of his duty as a doctor to educate.

Dr. Rowan always took ample time to teach and has helped me feel much more competent in my ability to critically think through scenarios, and evaluate medical literature. I am extremely grateful for the time he took to teach despite the demands of being a physician, these experiences are invaluable to me.

In appreciation for his efforts, Dr. Rowan will receive two free tickets to a UNR football game. Thank you, Dr. Rowan, for supporting our students. You are making a difference.