Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Lisa Vande Vusse
Originally from upstate New York, Vande Vusse is a graduate of Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, New Hampshire. Following her residency and chief residency at Dartmouth, she came to the University of Washington for fellowship in Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine. She currently sees patients as a pulmonary and critical care physician and is an attending physician in the Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant ICU at UWMC-Montlake.
She also serves as an associate program director for research and scholarship in the Internal Medicine Residency Program.
“The IM residency program leadership team – staff and faculty – continually impress me, enrich my perspectives, and challenge me to grow as a clinician, colleague, and educator,” she says.
Physician-Scientist Learning Pathway
Vande Vusse created and directs the Physician-Scientist Learning Pathway – an elective 3-year curriculum for residents committed to research-intensive careers. She helps pathway members identify mentors and participate in clinical and translational research projects during residency.
“My hope is that the pathway will help resident-investigators maintain their passion for discovery and graduate better prepared to shape sustainable and meaningful research careers.”
With help from Keli Lock, Program Operations Specialist for the residency program, and guidance from Dr. Renata Thronson, clinical associate professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine, Vande Vusse is developing a new experience for the Physician-Scientist Learning Pathway’s senior residents. “Answering Research Questions that Matter” is a new elective that dedicates time to guided reflection and advising, which Vande Vusse hopes will help sustain residents’ interest and increase their self-efficacy.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is to help residents refine their personal and career goals and identify paths to pursue and preserve them.”
National activities
Vande Vusse participates in career development activities within the national pulmonary/critical care community as well. Together with Dr. Emily Vail of the University of the Pennsylvania, she co-chairs the Early Career Professionals Working Group of American Thoracic Society’s Assembly on Critical Care. The group of senior fellows and junior faculty members leads several projects that increase early-career involvement within ATS.
“Through this work, I’ve met lots of interesting and generous people and learned about the key role that professional society involvement plays in academic career development,” she says. “Check the group out at @ATSCritCare!”
Reflections
Most recently, Vande Vusse has spent time reflecting about the ways the pandemic has inspired professional and personal growth. Professionally, she and her team published recommendations for innovative professional development practices for trainees during and beyond the pandemic era. On a more personal note, JAMA recently published her essay “Ninety-Six Paces of Privilege” in which Vande Vusse was inspired by the socially-distanced activity on the sidewalk in front of her home to reflect on the nature of privilege.
Outside of work, she values her family and faith.
“Family and faith are my cornerstones. I have two little humans at home – what an amazing thing to watch minds and hearts develop. Recently, my kindergartner asked “what exactly I do” for patients; I enjoyed both her curiosity and my inability to encapsulate the work of doctoring others.”