Fiscal Year 2007 - Department of Medicine - University of ...

That empathy allows Herrin to better relate created between the residents and faculty members.
to his recruiting class each year in his current duties “Our faculty and residents really take care of each
as director of the Department of Medicine’s Inter- other,” he said.
nal Medicine Residency Program.
Kimberly Harkins, MD, serves as associate
Herrin completed a medicine residency at program director, and Herrin considers her a major
UMMC in 1997. He continued his training in Mis- part of the program’s success. “Kimberly plays a
sissippi, completing a hematol-
critical role in the residency
ogy/oncology fellowship in
program,” Herrin said.
2000.
“She has historical knowl-
After completing his “Dr. Herrin aggressively defends edge of running the pro-
fellowship, Herrin moved and supports our residents, but gram, and she’s very
to Bethesda, Maryland to also demands from them excel- enthusiastic.”
work at the National Naval
lence, compassion, and integrity
Herrin is author of
Medical Center. He served
in the Department of
in all aspects of patient care.”
nearly 30 publications and
has received numerous
Hematology/Oncology for
Chief Resident Andy Wilhelm, MD
medals from his service in
five years and as head of its
the U.S. Navy. Although no
Department of Hematol-
longer active in the military,
ogy/Oncology during his last year of service. Herrin attributes much of his passion for education
Herrin returned to UMMC in 2005 and as- to his time in Maryland.
sumed the residency directorship the following year. “I was able to do a lot of teaching while I
According to Herrin, the most enjoyable aspects of was at the Naval Medical Center,” he said. “It was
directing the residency program is getting to know incredibly exciting to talk to new recruits and med-
the residents and watching them mature as physiical students about where they wanted to steer their
cians.
careers.”
“Witnessing that transition is incredibly re- Chief Resident Eric Stupka, MD, credits
warding,” he said. “I try to focus on teaching profes- Herrin’s leadership style to his time in the military.
sionalism and the importance of communication. I “Dr. Herrin is an amazing person,” said Stupka.
think we do a very good job teaching the science of “He’s a no-nonsense kind of guy; however, at the
medicine. It is harder to teach the art of medicine, same time he's one of the most approachable and
but I believe our residents do a very good job at de- concerned people I have ever met. He is truly comveloping
that art.
mitted to serving our residents and has demon-
“Mastering the art of medicine is an exstrated that on multiple levels.”
tremely important part of the treatment process. If Chief Resident Andy Wilhelm, MD, concurs.
you don’t bond with a patient, it hinders your ability “Dr. Herrin aggressively defends and supports our
to be the best physician you can be,” he said. residents, but also demands from them excellence,
Herrin credits a large part of the residents’ compassion, and integrity in all aspects of patient
learning process to the support system that has been care.”
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