Insights from doctors about different physician specialties

For medical students exploring the vast landscape of potential physician specialties, finding the right path can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. The AMA “Shadow Me” Specialty Series—which offers advice directly from physicians about life in their specialties—offers a window into the diverse world of medicine. 

Each physician profiled in the series provides a behind-the-scenes look at their daily work, the rewards and challenges of their specialty and valuable advice for medical students who may be considering similar paths. Whether you’re drawn to high-intensity emergency medicine, the delicate precision of surgery or the community focus of family medicine, these profiles help illuminate the road ahead, aiding students in making informed choices as they progress through medical school and beyond.

Here is a list of physicians who participated in the “Shadow Me” Specialty Series and their advice for medical students. Each of these doctors is from an organization that is a member of the AMA Health System Program, which provides enterprise solutions to equip leadership, physicians and care teams with resources to help drive the future of medicine.

1. Allergy and immunology: Shadowing Burcin Fraser, MD 

   1. Dr. Fraser is an allergist and immunologist in private practice with Whole Family Allergy and Immunotherapy in Chevy Chase, Maryland, which is part of Privia Health. She says that—depending on the setting— the work-life balance in allergy and immunology can be a big draw.
   2. Learn more with the AMA about the physician specialty of allergy and immunology.

2. Anesthesiology: Shadowing Rachel Clement, MD

   1. Dr. Clement practices anesthesiology at Wenatchee Valley Medical Group within Confluence Health. She says the most rewarding part of being an anesthesiologist is coming up with plans that address patients’ concerns.
   2. Learn more with the AMA about the physician specialty of anesthesiology.

3. Colon and rectal surgery: Shadowing Vlad Simianu, MD, MPH

   1. Dr. Simianu is a colon and rectal surgeon who is employed by a Seattle hospital that is part of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. He says the most rewarding aspect of colorectal surgery is getting to be a specialist and also a generalist.
   2. Learn more with the AMA about the physician specialty of colon and rectal surgery.

4. Emergency medicine: Shadowing Sam Mossallam, MD 

   1. Dr. Mossallam practices emergency medicine at a group practice and academic medical center as part of Henry Ford Health in Detroit and Southeast Michigan. He says one of the rewards of working in emergency medicine is being part of society’s safety net.
   2. Learn more with the AMA about the physician specialty of emergency medicine.

5. Family medicine: Shadowing Jordon Despain, MD 

   1. Dr. Despain is a family physician and partner in a multi-specialty group in Central Washington affiliated with Confluence Health. He says one of the most important skills in family medicine is listening in such a way that people feel heard.
   2. Learn more with the AMA about the physician specialty of family medicine.

6. General surgery: Shadowing Philip Gachassin, MD  

   1. Dr. Gachassin practices general surgery at Ochsner Health in Lafayette, Louisianna. While he has been in practice for 30 years, Dr. Gachassin says work-life balance is difficult to achieve as a general surgeon, but making a difference for patients is highly rewarding.
   2. For another perspective of general surgery, check out this profile of Boris Cehajic, MD, of Hattiesburg Clinic. Learn more with the AMA about the physician specialty of general surgery.

7. Hospital medicine: Shadowing Clyde J. Pierce, MD

   1. Dr. Pierce is a hospitalist and internist who is employed by Wenatchee Valley Medical Group, which is a multispecialty physician group in partnership with Confluence Health. At first Dr. Pierce didn’t think the specialty was for him. Now he couldn’t be happier with his work-life balance.
   2. Learn more with the AMA about the physician specialty of internal and hospital medicine.

8. Infectious diseases: Shadowing Michael A. Horberg, MD, MAS

   1. Dr. Horberg practices infectious diseases medicine at a multispecialty group practice with Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group. With 36 years in practice as an infectious diseases physician, Dr. Horberg remains vigilant in helping patients with HIV.
   2. Learn more with the AMA about the physician specialty of infectious disease medicine.

9. Pediatric orthopaedic surgery: Shadowing Heather Kowalski, MD

   1. Dr. Kowalski is a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon who practices in an academic medical center setting at the University of Iowa Health Care in Iowa City. As an orthopaedic surgeon, she feels privileged to help children through scary, stressful times.
   2. Learn more with the AMA about the physician specialty of pediatric orthopaedic surgery.

10. Perinatal and reproductive psychiatry: Shadowing Alpa Shah, MD 

    1. Dr. Shah is a perinatal and reproductive psychiatrist at Marshfield Clinic Health System in Wisconsin, who has been in practice for 25 years. She feels the most rewarding part of perinatal and reproductive psychiatry is helping women make informed decisions for a healthy pregnancy.
    2. Learn more with the AMA about the physician specialty of psychiatry.

11. Pulmonary and critical care: Shadowing L. Wesley Aldred, MD

    1. Dr. Aldred practices pulmonary and critical care medicine at a private practice employed by Hattiesburg Clinic. Despite the challenges of life in the ICU, Dr. Aldred enjoys guiding patients and their families through severe illnesses.
    2. Learn more with the AMA about the physician specialty of pulmonary disease and critical care medicine.

12. Radiology: Shadowing Olaseni Arogundade, MD

    1. Dr. Arogundade is a radiologist at a hospital in Central Washington that is affiliated with Confluence Health. He says radiology involves limited patient contact but helps doctors to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
    2. Learn more with the AMA about the physician specialty of radiology.

13. Rheumatology: Shadowing Amish J. Dave, MD, MPH

    1. Dr. Amish J. Dave is a rheumatologist at a medical center that is part of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in Seattle and on Bainbridge Island, Washington. He shares that rheumatologists must be comfortable with diagnostic uncertainty and ready to help patients navigate treatments.
    2. Learn more with the AMA about the physician specialty of rheumatology.

14. Sleep medicine: Shadowing Virginia Skiba

    1. Dr. Skiba practices sleep medicine with Henry Ford Health at Henry Ford Medical Center in Sterling Heights, Michigan. While she has been practicing for 21 years, she started her career in neurology but switched to sleep medicine after about a decade. Find out why. 
    2. Learn more with the AMA about the physician specialty of sleep medicine.

The AMA’s Specialty Guide simplifies medical students’ specialty selection process, highlights major specialties, details training information, and provides access to related association information. It is produced by FREIDA™, the AMA Residency & Fellowship Database^®.