They recently were on clinical service together during a blizzard. “We also co-mentor several trainees,” Dr. Arora says, “which is actually really fun. For example, I can refer trainees to David if they’re interested in economics, and if someone has a quality/safety interest, he could refer that person to me” (see “Keys to Thriving as a Dual-Hospitalist Couple,” above).
The Gundersens’ professional interests forked when Jasen found his niche in administrative work and started to pursue an MBA in 2007. Meanwhile, Liz was finding her own niche doing quality improvement (QI) and became one of the physician quality officers at UMass Memorial.
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Drs. Fang and Sharpe have experienced similar career divisions with their hospitalist roots. Dr. Sharpe is focused on medical education, while Dr. Fang’s focus predominantly is clinical research. “Between the two of us, we capture many of the elements of academic hospitalist practice,” she says. “I think having our diverse interests gives us a lot of knowledge and expertise about our respective fields. I’m able to learn a lot about how the hospital works and about clinical teaching from Brad, and, hopefully, he can come to me for research advice.”
David Meltzer and Vineet Arora
Drs. Dandu and Afshar have branched out, too. He completed additional residency training in emergency medicine and she acquired an MPH at the University of California at Berkeley. Subsequently, she became associate director of Pathways to Discovery in Global Health, the global health elective program for medical students.
“If you follow your passion in your career, that will allow you to bring a happier individual to your relationship,” Dr. Whitcomb adds.
Schedule Time Together
Communication is a major factor when dual-hospitalist couples plan and execute their weekly schedules. “We try to have an organizing conversation at the end of each weekend,” says Dr. Wark, who also is the keeper of the family calendar and “the glue” that keeps her family of four on track.