What's next for Chief Resident Dr. Lucas Fass?
Lucas Fass, MD
Page Family Endowed Chief Resident
What’s next for you, personally and professionally? Why did you decide on that route?
Personally, I am getting married in June of this year!
Professionally, I will be starting my fellowship in gastroenterology here at UW Health. When I entered medical school, I had a lot of experience in oncology clinics. I admired those providers’ communication skills with patients; I knew I wanted to help patients reason through difficult decisions in their lives regarding their health. However, in medical school, I loved the atmosphere of the operating room and procedural suites. It reminded me of team sports I had been involved in over the years. There are clear team member roles, and you get to work with your hands. I started to gravitate towards gastroenterology because it combines both interests well. On the one hand you could discuss with patients’ difficult decisions ranging from transplantation of their liver to surgery for their inflammatory bowel disease, but you can also then go to an endoscopy suite and do several procedures in an afternoon. I look forward to this aspect of GI and everything in-between.
What are the main takeaways from your time as chief resident (i.e., what did you learn, what was memorable, etc.)?
Chief year taught me communication skills, teaching skills, and the utilization of resources. From public speaking in front of an audience multiple times per week to professional communication via email, and administration skills necessary to coordinate a residency, chief year fosters growth in multiple ways. I loved teaching the residents with a well-designed lecture. I also enjoyed getting to know more about each resident in the program. Ultimately, I think my biggest takeaway is the need to utilize resources in a thoughtful but coordinated way. Everyone is willing to help you improve; you just have to be kind and thoughtful when you ask for people’s time and effort to help you get to where you want to be. I am grateful to all those faculty members that lend their expertise to educating the chiefs in various ways this year.
What advice/words of encouragement do you have for 1) the incoming chiefs, 2) the incoming interns (PG-1s), and 3) residents who are considering applying for chief residencies next year?
- To the incoming chiefs: Try to use your resources to their fullest potential. UW is full of leaders in education, research, public health or outreach. Utilize these experts to make your year the most fruitful. All of them are willing to give you advice and feedback on your year and your career, but you must ask. So, reach out, because you’ll improve your skills much faster and have a more impactful experience.
- To the incoming interns: Welcome to residency! You got this! These next three years will be a time of immense growth and challenges. It won’t always be easy, but every ounce of effort you give will be returned to you in your ability to take care of patients. Remember, your job is now taking care of patients. They trust you to be there for them. Take time to balance your efforts in the hospital and clinics with spending time with friends and family. Together, these two things will lead to the best possible residency experience. Enjoy the ride and know that many people at UW care about your growth and experience and are constantly trying to improve, just like you!
- If you’re considering applying for chief year, I am happy to provide advice or listen! Send me an email! If you’re looking for something specific out of the year, then do not hesitate to apply. It is a great year to explore teaching, academia, administration, and improve your clinical skills. It will forever help shape your future growth as a physician.
Is there anything else you’d like to share, whether it’s shout-outs or memories?
I would like to give a shout-out to my co-chiefs Haley Probst, Geralyn Palmer and Mazen Almasry. All three of you made the year a great experience with your own set of skills, perspective, and attitude. I enjoyed working together so closely and will miss our ability to help each other on various tasks. Additional shout-outs for our admin staff, without whom our program would collapse from an organizational and operational standpoint. I don’t think a day went by all year without sending an email to Jenny Burgess. And finally, to Andy Coyle for supporting our growth as residents and chiefs for the last four years.
Banner: Lucas Fass, MD, Page Family Endowed Chief Resident. Credit: Clint Thayer/Department of Medicine.