Excellence without Ego with Dr. Lisa Willett

Lisa Willett, MD, is a Professor of Medicine, the Vice-Chair of Education, and the Director of the Tinsley Harrison Internal Medicine Residency Program at the University of Alabama—Birmingham. Dr. Willett completed her medical school, residency, and chief resident year at UAB. She is nationally recognized for her work in resident development, and is currently the President of the Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine. Dr. Willett is also the recipient of this year's prestigious Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award from the ACGME. There is a motto at University of Alabama--Birmingham: Excellence Without Ego. Today, Dr. Lisa Willett teaches us exactly what that means--and how to develop that mindset as a physician. According to Dr. Willett, self-awareness and humility are two major components in achieving this attitude. As Dr. Willett puts it, medicine is the great humbler: It’s impossible to predict every outcome in medicine, so our focus should be on the continuous pursuit of learning, understanding--and performing. And along with being physicians, we’re humans, too: Although we all have limitations, we have an exciting opportunity to leverage what we don’t know into new learning opportunities. Dr. Willett reminds us to check any arrogance at the door, because there is no room for that in medicine. What’s more important is to strive to be the very best for our patients and those around us. And to remember success lies in our persistence, courage, and determination. That being committed to excellence--not perfection-- is what will carry us the farthest, and bring us the most joy. Pearls of Wisdom: 1. When you say yes to opportunities, you need to deliver. Delivery creates the promise of future delivery, and creates the confidence in others that you’re somebody who can be trusted, sponsored, promoted, and advanced.. 2. Build a portfolio of mentors. That portfolio doesn’t stop at clinical research, it goes beyond into personal aspects of life (like work life balance). 3. Develop excellence without ego. We always have more to learn, there are always areas we need to improve in, so we must maintain humility throughout our career. 4. Put the oxygen mask on yourself first. At the end of the day, you have to take care of you, your family, and loved ones—so you can bring your A-game to the hospital.