David Harris, MD
The journey toward hospice and palliative medicine (HPM) is often shaped by transformative experiences and impactful mentorship. In 2023, AAHPM created the Next Gen Scholars for Equity in Hospice and Palliative Medicine program to connect trainees from backgrounds underrepresented in HPM to senior leaders in the field for one-on-one mentoring. For Dr. Julie Childers, palliative medicine staff at UPMC and Next Gen mentor, and Dr. Alex Hoy, a hospice and palliative medicine fellow at the National Institutes of Health and Next Gen scholar, the path to palliative care was shaped by unexpected insights and mentorship at pivotal moments.
From Forensic Pathology and Literature to Palliative Medicine
Growing up, Dr. Hoy was not expecting to go into medicine. She grew up in a family of nurses, personal support workers, and IT professionals and always imagined she would enter a similar career. Her journey to medicine began in college when she became interested in forensic science, leading her to medical school with plans to specialize in forensic pathology. However, she quickly discovered that she enjoyed patient interactions far more than she had expected. Motivated to develop her communication skills and wanting to gain more experience with end-of-life care, she volunteered as a hospice companion. In her hospice work, she was drawn to the special relationships that she built and how learning the small details about people’s lives led to meaningful connections.
Inspired by these experiences, Dr. Hoy changed her residency plans from pathology to internal medicine, entering with a strong interest in hospice and palliative care. During residency Dr. Hoy found a key mentor whose bedside conversations inspired her to look more deeply into the field. Without a robust palliative care group available at her hospital, she sought mentorship outside her institution through AAHPM’s Next Gen Scholars program. She was matched with Dr. Julie Childers.
Like Alex, Dr. Julie Childers had not planned on becoming a hospice and palliative care specialist, or even a physician. “I did not grow up thinking I’d go into medicine,” Dr. Childers shared. “I did not see myself as good at science at all…so it wasn’t until after college that I got more exposure and realized that I was interested and could do more science than I thought I could.” She graduated college with an English major and only moved toward medicine years later. In medical school she was drawn to the human stories behind patient care. She felt a natural affinity for hospice and palliative medicine but was unsure it was the right field for her—until she met her mentor. “I wasn’t decided…and then I did a rotation, and I met Bob Arnold.” He became an integral part of her professional life moving forward. Dr. Arnold’s mentorship was intense in depth and breadth. He was at once her boss, a collaborator on projects, and a guide when it came to navigating the politics of academic medicine. Dr. Childers remains struck by his commitment to her. “Being such an incredibly busy person, he made time to meet with me. For 10 years we met once a week…I could set my clock to it.”
The Flexible Nature of Mentorship
The relationship between Dr. Hoy and Dr. Childers is an example of how mentorship in palliative care can be fluid and adaptable. In contrast to Dr. Childers’ long-term, structured mentorship with Dr. Arnold, her mentorship with Dr. Hoy is shaped by the unique structure of the Next Gen Scholars program. Because they don’t work directly with each other or even at the same institution, their meetings are more about coaching, encouragement, and facilitating Dr. Hoy’s development of career goals and professional identity.
For Dr. Hoy, the mentorship has offered support and direction. Whether guiding her through conference presentations, discussing the intricacies of job searching, or simply offering a sounding board, Dr. Childers has helped her feel grounded in the field.
Dr. Childers views mentorship as always evolving and tailored to her mentees’ specific needs. With Dr. Hoy, her role has been more about fostering confidence and helping her navigate early career decisions. Having spent years mentoring fellows and junior faculty, she appreciates the importance of creating a sense of belonging within the field, especially for those who are new to the specialty.
Looking Ahead
Dr. Childers describes her career as developing by simply following her interests. Her interest in addiction medicine began when she saw patients with addiction and found that providing them with palliative care was a challenge. She recalls, “that became a problem that I wanted to solve.” Another unexpected development was her passion for academic medicine. “I didn’t see myself as very academic at all…and then I actually got into it and became more academic than I expected.” As Dr. Childers reflects on her career and what’s next, she feels most driven by the joy of the work itself. She continues to find fulfillment in clinical care, teaching, and mentoring the next generation.
For Dr. Hoy, she is eager to continue research on palliative care for patients with cirrhosis, a project she began during residency. As she grows, she hopes to take on leadership roles and mentor others who are new to the field. Most importantly, she is excited to start her career: “These are my people, and this is where I’m happy.”
Life Beyond Medicine
Outside of work, both Alex and Julie share a love of travel and animals; Julie has a dog (Fern) and is an avid birder, and Alex has two cats, Gwen and Lance.
Learn More About the Next Gen Scholars Program
If you’re interested in being a mentor (“sponsor”) or mentee (“scholar”) for the next cohort of the Next Gen Scholars program, you can learn more about the program here. Applications close June 30.