Bucksbaum Institute names two new master clinicians

Bucksbaum Institute names two new master clinicians

July 23, 2014

The University of Chicago Medicine Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence named two new faculty members as Master Clinicians, continuing the mission of improving the doctor-patient relationship through research and teaching.

Jessica Kandel, MD, the Mary Campau Ryerson Professor of Surgery, and Surgeon-in-Chief, the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital, and Douglas Dirschl, MD, the Lowell T. Coggeshall Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Chairman, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, were both named to three-year terms.

"Drs. Kandel and Dirschl were selected for their excellence as clinicians, teachers and mentors, and for their ability to develop strong and effective doctor-patient relationships," said Mark Siegler, MD, the Lindy Bergman Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine and Surgery and executive director of the Bucksbaum Institute.

The appointments are geared towards recently hired faculty to serve as role models for student scholars and faculty scholars in the delivery of superior clinical care and excellent doctor-patient communications.

"I am humbled to have even been considered to join the Bucksbaum Institute as a Master Clinician," said Dirschl, who came to the UChicago Medicine in 2013. "To have the opportunity to further our work in professionalism and patient communications, to participate in and learn from Bucksbaum programs, and to interact with the amazing individuals who are part of the Institute – is truly a great honor and a highlight of my academic career."

Dirschl's research focuses on the assessment of factors that influence reliability in classifying fractures, among other areas. He has studied the quality of radiographs, as well as the use of decision-making strategies to enhance reliability.

He recently presented a paper at the 3rd Annual Bucksbaum Symposium in April entitled: "Bone Health and Fragility Fractures: the Role of Patient Communication."

"It is a real distinction to be included in the Bucksbaum Master Clinician group," added Kandel, who joined the UChicago Medicine faculty last summer.

Kandel's research focuses on the development and differentiation of blood vessels (angiogenesis) in solid tumors and vascular anomalies. She was a leader in early studies that suppressed tumor growth by blocking vascular endothelial growth factor, a protein that stimulates angiogenesis.

"I have a particular passion for the problem of vascular tumors of infancy and childhood, and improving both their care and the conversations we have with families about them," Kandel said. "The appointment provides the opportunity and resources to concentrate on this aspect."

She also presented a paper at the recent Bucksbaum Symposium entitled: Biologically Targeted Therapy for Children with Vascular Abnormalities: Conversations with Families about How to Use New Information."

The Bucksbaum Institute began in 2011 with a $42 million endowment gift from the Matthew and Carolyn Bucksbaum Family Foundation. The goals of the institute are to improve patient care, strengthen the doctor-patient relationship and enhance communication and decision-making between patients and physicians.

Kandel and Dirschl join the two existing Bucksbaum Master Clinicians Ross Milner, MD, and Michael Bishop, MD.