This year’s chief residents are committed to improving residents’ overall wellness as they cope with the demands of their training, which often includes caring for critically ill children. The goal is to provide residents with opportunities that take them outside the hospital setting and contribute to the community in other ways, such as volunteering at soup kitchens, organizing food drives or working with Habitat for Humanity. In addition, a new Kudos program allows residents to acknowledge the good work being done by their peers by sharing examples of when someone, for instance, goes beyond what is expected in patient care or makes a difficult diagnosis.
The chief residents also are committed to employing the tools they learned at the McMasters Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Workshop at McMasters University, Ontario, Canada, for incorporating evidence-based medicine into resident training.
AMANDA BASHIR, MD
When Dr. Bashir was about 3 years old, she told her mom she wanted to be a baby doctor. Her mom being pregnant at the time may have had a bit to do with that, but it became a decision that shaped her future.
A native of Orlando, Fla., Dr. Bashir received her medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine,
Gainesville, before entering the pediatric residency program at St. Louis Children’s Hospital (SLCH). During her residency she came to feel that she was part of a medical family from whom she not only learned how to care for patients with complicated health issues, but also how to develop nurturing relationships with families.
“I’ve really appreciated the people I’ve had the privilege to meet and work with, as well as the combined sense of responsibility and belonging I’ve experienced,” she says. “I accepted the chief residency because of those factors and the opportunity it affords me to educate and advocate for residents.”
Upon completing her chief resident year, Dr. Bashir plans on serving as a pediatric hospitalist for a year and then likely pursuing a neonatology fellowship.
Dr. Bashir’s husband, Usman, is a data analyst at GrayBar. They have a 1-year-old son, Connor. Their pastimes include hiking, exploring parks with their two dogs, and visiting family in St. Louis, Orlando and New Jersey.
COLLEEN EDGE, MD
Growing up in Dallas, Dr. Edge came under the influence of medical providers early—her dad is a surgeon and her mom is a physical therapist. But it was her experiences on medical mission trips to Ecuador with her family while in high school and college that convinced her she wanted to become a physician.
“The idea had been there my whole life, but I knew I wanted to care for people in a different way than my father does,” she says. “Then during my first year at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, I discovered how much I liked working with children and interacting with their parents.”
During her pediatric residency at SLCH her desire to become a community pediatrician was reinforced by her participation in the Community Outpatient Practice Experience (COPE) program. “I learned so much from my preceptor, Dr. Dana Ankney at Forest Park Pediatrics,” says Dr. Edge. “That experience really brought home to me how important it is for children to have a good primary care physician.”
Dr. Edge views her chief residency as an opportunity for her to give back to the pediatric residency program and to gain additional leadership training. Once the year is completed, she plans to enter private practice in Dallas.
Dr. Edge’s husband, Jeremy, is a family counselor originally from Houston. Their infant daughter, Laura, was born September 25. When not caring for a newborn, Dr. Edge enjoys reading novels and being outdoors with her family and dog.
BRYAN SISK, MD
Dr. Sisk, who grew up in St. Louis and received his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, initially considered becoming a veterinarian and then a biochemical researcher. But during his last semester as an undergraduate, he decided he would rather interact on a daily basis with humans rather than mice in a laboratory. And the humans he wanted to help were children with cancer.
“I knew I wanted to do something for which I had a passion every day, and for me that is helping to make sick children better,” he says. “My interest is in not only the science of pediatric hematology/ oncology but also research related to interpersonal communication and decision making.”
His aim as a chief resident is to develop skills in leadership and education, serve as an advocate for residents and patients, and gain a greater understanding of how the hospital and university systems are integrated.
“The physicians and medical professionals at Children’s Hospital continually strive for excellence, and they encourage and support new ideas,” says Dr. Sisk. “I’m looking forward to providing those same opportunities as chief resident.”
Upon completing his chief residency, Dr. Sisk will begin his hematology/oncology fellowship at SLCH.
Dr. Sisk’s wife, Kay, is a dietitian who currently works as a consultant. They have two children: 3-year-old Jack and 1-year-old David. Dr. Sisk’s interests include gardening, woodworking, reading, writing and playing with his kids.
