Models and Mentors
In Conversation with Lisa Chamberlain, MD
Lisa Chamberlain, MD, a pediatrician at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, is co-founder and chair of the advocacy committee of the local American Academy of Pediatrics, a group working to improve advocacy and community pediatric training for pediatric residents. Chamberlain works directly with Stanford residents to help them connect with communities and develop advocacy programs to address issues ranging from dental health to teen pregnancy to healthcare access for children.
When and how did you decide you wanted to go into pediatrics?
I fell in love with pediatrics and the patients during my pediatric clerkship during my third year of medical school. It is a wonderful field full of both interesting families and colleagues.
After completing your pediatrics residency at Stanford, you spent a year at UC Berkeley working on a Masters in Public Health. What motivated your decision to pursue an MPH? What was the focus of your research?
I was motivated to do an MPH after I realized that as a pediatrician committed to working with underserved populations I was very limited without training in public health. With my medical training I could function effectively in clinic, treating infections for example, and yet so many of the issues that my patients struggled with I couldn’t deal with in the traditional clinic setting, obesity for instance. To address childhood obesity you have to be involved with the schools (school lunches, vending machines) with the community (parental education and support) and through the policy process (to help create safe places for kids to play outside and to support after school programming). I believe that as an MD/MPH I am much more effective – and I’m sure enjoying myself! There are many interesting settings and roles so things never get boring.
The focus of my MPH research examined the sexual health of uninsured and homeless teens in San Francisco .
What have you taken away from your experience at UC Berkeley?
The Berkeley experience broadened my perspective greatly. I am now able to focus on health at both the individual and population levels which I find very enriching.
Why did you decide to return to Stanford to do a fellowship?
I have always loved teaching and thought that the best way I could combine my passion for working with communities and teaching would be to work at Stanford in community pediatrics. To be a member of a teaching faculty one needs to do a fellowship so I did one in general pediatrics. During my fellowship I gained many skills around designing research projects and how to be a more effective educator for the residents.
What do you enjoy most about your job? What do you find most difficult?
The best part of my job are the people! The residents are a tremendously talented, hard-working and committed group of folks. I can’t express what a pleasure it is to work with them. I also enjoy wonderful collaboration with the members of the general pediatric division from whom I learn a great deal. In addition I have been enriched to work with the many community partners that I have met. Finally, I see patients in East Palo Alto at the Ravenswood Clinic and have become quite attached to the children and their families. There are so many inspirational stories in our community – I’m lucky to be touched by them routinely.
The most difficult? I’d have to say feeling like there isn’t enough time in life! Each day goes so quickly, it is breathtaking.
Was there any particular experience that prompted you to start the Northern California Advocacy Group (now the Advocacy Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics)?
I started the Northern California Advocacy Group after being asked to meet separately with folks from both UCSF and Children’s Oakland who were interested in what we were doing at LPCH. I realized that we were all attempting to do the same work and were isolated at our institutions. So close and yet so far! So we started a group that has been very successful in strengthening the advocacy training for all pediatric residents in northern California. In addition we’ve done fun projects together over the years.
Had you been involved in advocacy work earlier in your training/career?
I have always been an advocate. I grew up in a family where, around the dinner table discussing issues, social justice always prevailed over market justice. Service has always been an important part of my life from high school through medical school where I was involved in many community based activities. I have to say that during my residency community service wasn’t a part of my life – I felt too busy. I was lucky to attend schools (high school through med school) where such service was stressed. I’m proud to have helped make LPCH a place where service is found. Our residents can stay connected to that part of their life and keep that interest alive through the tough residency years, developing their skills and emerging as physician advocates.
You have also worked with the Community Oversight Board for the Children's Health Initiative (CHI) in Santa Clara County. Can you tell us a little more about this program? How did you get involved?
The Community Oversight Board of the CHI in Santa Clara County is a group of community members who share the vision of the CHI (that all children should have medical access) and work with the Santa Clara Family Health Plan (SCHFP) to achieve it. I was asked to be a member of the board by Leona Butler, the CEO of the SCFHP, who initially wanted my mentor, Phil Lee, who then recommended me, so she got me instead! It has been a wonderful experience to watch this community-based initiative grow and spread throughout the state. It has been an honor to be a small part of it. In addition to participating as a board member (and recently now as chair of the board) some of my research has examined how the CHI has impacted the safety net providers.
What do you do for fun?
There is nothing I enjoy more than spending time with my husband and our two- year old daughter, whether it is hiking, hanging out on the beach, gardening in our backyard, going to the farmer’s market or simply reading books on the couch. It’s a very rich life.
Related article:
More than Medicine: Residents' Dedication Reaches Beyond Clinic Doors
