A Q & A with Tiffani Panek, MA, SFHM, CLHM, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
Among her accomplishments and accolades, Ms. Panek is a volunteer member of The Hospitalist’s editorial board. Let’s get to know her a little better and find out why she feels it’s important to rise up, push forward, and do the work.
Having a seat at the table allows you to help put your stamp on things. Being part of the editorial board allows me to put my thoughts and insight into what goes into such an important publication as The Hospitalist.
Tiffani Panek
Q: Why did you choose a career in hospital medicine?
A: As an administrator, I’d always wanted to pursue a career within the realm of health care. When an opportunity to work for a new, small hospital medicine group presented itself I jumped at the chance. Nineteen years later I’m still a part of hospital medicine!
Q: What’s been your biggest success?
A: Helping to grow my practice from just six people to more than 60 people and helping to establish practices at other sites has been very rewarding.
Q: What challenges have you overcome?
A: As an administrator, you can often be overlooked in the world of medicine. Rising up and taking on new things, pushing myself to always reach for more, and being a part of SHM have helped make my life as a hospital medicine administrator fulfilling.
Q: What makes you happiest about the work you do?
A: Knowing the impact it ultimately has on the lives of our patients. By supporting my group on the administrative and leadership end I enable them to take the superior care of patients that they do.
Q: Why did you join SHM?
A: As someone who works in hospital medicine, I can’t imagine why you would not join SHM! Between the resources, the networking, and the educational opportunities—it’s an important piece of being the best hospitalist you can be.
Q: What’s the first page you turn to when you get your copy of The Hospitalist?
A: I love the Practice Management section. I always find interesting information I can apply there.
Q: What topics would you like to see more of in The Hospitalist?
A: I would like to see more highlights on individual hospitalists, including administrators. I find learning about what other people are doing is inspirational.
Q: What’s your best piece of advice for new hospitalists?
A: Join SHM! And take advantage of the event opportunities available to you such as SHM Converge, Leadership Academy, and local chapter meetings.
Q: What’s something someone would be surprised to know about you?
A: I’ve done numerous open water swims for charity.
Q: What do you wish the world knew about hospitalists?
A: I wish they knew just how instrumental hospitalists are in health care in America today. Not only do hospitalists take care of so many of the individuals hospitalized in the country, but they are at the forefront of quality and safety in the hospitals as well.
Q: In a word, hospitalists are/hospital medicine is…vital.
Q: How do you stay motivated during stressful days?
A: Reminding myself what it is we work for, and why we do what we do, keeps me going.