In this edition , Angela C . Weyand , MD , talks about harnessing the power of social media to network with colleagues , educate the public about hematology , and raise funds for good causes . Dr . Weyand is clinical assistant professor of pediatric hematology / oncology at the University of Michigan ’ s C . S . Mott Children ’ s Hospital .
Angela C . Weyand , MD
● Where did you grow up ? What was your childhood like ? I had an idyllic childhood in the suburbs of Kansas City . My mother was a physician and my father was an elementary school teacher . They emphasized learning , curiosity , and education , as
Angela C . Weyand , MD well as volunteering and giving back to the community .
What did you want to be when you grew up ? Is there another career you could see yourself in ? As a child , I cycled through many different career ideas . I loved animals , so at one point I was set on being a veterinarian . We always had pets , and my brothers and I would bring home stray cats and other animals . But when I learned about euthanasia , I decided I couldn ’ t handle that and dropped the idea .
In high school and college I was open-minded , except I was convinced that I did not want to be a physician . Medicine was not the field for me . My mom was probably part of that decision : She was an adult neuro-oncologist and an early adopter of palliative care . So , she was basically a saint . Everywhere I went , people would ask if I was going to follow in my mom ’ s footsteps . I ’ ve always been very independent , so I wanted to forge my own path . I also think I felt that I couldn ’ t compete with her .
What changed your mind ? How did you end up becoming a doctor ? Although my parents were focused on education , they never pressured me or my brothers to go into any specific career . When I arrived at Northwestern University as an undergraduate , everyone advised me to take whatever courses most interested me . So , I majored in economics and communications .
For a while , I thought I would end up working for a nongovernmental organization or the World Bank , where I could drive economic growth and development in low- and middle-income countries . I spent some time working in finance , but decided that if I was going to work so many hours , I wanted to more directly contribute to society and do some good in the world .
During that period , I took some time off to help my father recover from surgery . While I was at home , I ended up accompanying my mom to work and seeing firsthand
This interview has been edited for length and clarity . the amazing relationships that she formed with her patients . Growing up , I knew that she worked more hours than my friends ’ parents , which was difficult at times , but I always understood that her work was important . The people she was helping really needed her help .
That experience going to work with my mom opened my eyes to the possibility of a career change , and finally following in my mom ’ s footsteps . I enrolled in a post-baccalaureate program at Northwestern , where I worked in clinical research coordination during the day and took my prerequisite courses for medical school at night . That was a great opportunity to see how clinical research is done . I still use the knowledge I gained from that experience to this day .
What drew you to hematology and specifically bleeding and clotting disorders ? I always wanted to work with kids . During my pediatrics residency at the University of Washington / Seattle Children ’ s Hospital , I enjoyed taking care of the sicker children with more complicated pathophysiology . While I was thinking about what I wanted to do , I was torn between specializing in hematology / oncology or critical care , working in the intensive care unit ( ICU ).
With hematology , I realized that I could still see patients in the ICU , because hematologists are often consulted on the most complicated bleeding and clotting cases . I liked that I could still get that intensive care perspective , but also have continuity with the patients I followed for longer periods of time .
Dr . Weyand with her husband and their daughters .
Is there anyone in particular who helped shape your career path ? I ’ ve been fortunate to work with great people throughout my career . Steve Pipe , MD , and Jordan Shavit , MD , PhD , at the University of Michigan are wonderful mentors and sponsors . I think
Dr . Pipe has more faith in me than I have in myself . He continues to offer me opportunities that I never feel fully qualified for but , fortunately , turn out well and are incredibly beneficial to my career .
What advice did they give that you might pass on to younger hematologists ? Dr . Pipe advised me to find an area that I was passionate about and make that my niche . Clearly , that is the approach he took with hemophilia . So , I would offer the same advice to early-career hematologists : If you can find an area that you ’ re passionate about , that will make going to work every day exciting and satisfying .
You ’ ve reached a wide audience via social media . Can you tell us about it ? I joined Twitter in 2017 , but I didn ’ t understand it for the first couple years . In 2019 , I became a more active user and started following
16 ASH Clinical News October 2021