Women in Medicine: Sheila Lahijani, MD

Why did you pursue a career in medicine?

Growing up in an immigrant family and being multilingual has always excited me to make connections and learn about others. Over time I realized I wanted to do that as a physician through healing and making a meaningful impact in others' lives. I was also encouraged by my father who is a retired physician; his intellectual curiosity and commitment to serving others inspired me from a young age. A career in medicine has encouraged me to continue pursuing my interests in the sciences, humanities, and arts. I love being a physician; it is a true privilege.

What is your work focused on?

I trained as both an internist and psychiatrist. I focus on the interface between medical and psychiatric disorders. Initially, I had matched into an endocrinology fellowship but did not pursue that because at the time my mother got diagnosed with acute leukemia. Over the time I was her caregiver, I observed so many dynamics between patients, caregivers, and their providers that I was inspired to redirect my professional path and focus on my current subspecialty, psychiatric oncology. I take care of patients with cancer who suffer from clinically significant emotional distress and psychiatric disorders. This area of medicine enables me to focus more on patients' stories while providing medical/psychiatric care at a time when people are truly suffering and very vulnerable during their cancer illness. I know what I do adds value and contributes to comprehensive cancer care. That principle guides me every day and helps me carry forward my mother’s legacy.

What is the most fulfilling part of your work?

I love engaging with other people. This includes my patients, my colleagues, my trainees, leaders, administrators, etc. My work is very dynamic and fosters many opportunities for learning medicine but also my own development as a woman in medicine. I learn so much from everyone here at Stanford through my clinical work, teaching, leadership positions, and scholarly activity. Having those stimuli and making those connections is really fulfilling to me.

What advice would you give yourself when you started in the field, knowing what you know now?

Be kind to yourself! I have learned this lesson over the years, and in fact it is the first instruction I give patients in their After Visit Summary! In medicine we do not do a good job reminding ourselves, our patients, or others of this. This comes with the high expectations of our profession and all the associated rigors. I have learned to extend more compassion toward myself, and I know this has made me a more effective physician as well.