Becoming Part of the Solution with Dr. Gopal Yadavalli

Gopal Yadavalli, MD, FACP, is the Vice Chair of Education and Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency in the Department of Medicine at the Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Yadavalli completed his medical school from Thomas Jefferson University, pursued a residency in Internal Medicine, followed by a fellowship in Infectious Diseases from Case Western Reserve University. At Case Western, Dr. Yadavalli was Chief of the Infectious Diseases Clinic at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, and an active member of the CWRU Center for AIDS Research, where his research focused on clinical outcomes of anti-retroviral therapies. Dr. Yadavalli has also developed a passion for graduate medical education, becoming a Senior Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency and Director of the Global Health Track at Case Western. In 2011, he joined Boston University and has received a number of distinctions and teaching awards including induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. As burnout becomes more and more prevalent in the field of medicine, we need to ask ourselves how we can make a difference in changing that for the better. The best way to combat burnout is to become part of the solution, says Dr. Gopal Yadavalli. Today, he shares how, making a positive impact on the world starts with the very hospitals we work in each day. When we focus on getting involved with those at our institution and help develop systems that can improve the lives of everyone around us, we will experience much less burnout ourselves. Pearls of Wisdom: 1. The key to being an excellent educator: Relationships. As a mentee, understanding that mentorships should be relational, not transactional, is key. 2. Live a life based on your own interests and passions, not based on the perspectives of what others’ expectations of you are. 3. The key to combatting burnout is becoming part of the solution. Think about improving the system that fuels burnout itself, and you—and others—will unburn yourselves. 4. What distinguishes a great resident from an okay resident is the one who is willing to do what it takes to improve themselves, who is open to feedback, and accepting criticism. It’s not just about board scores.