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Baghdad to Boston and Back
First African-American Pediatrics Professor at HMS Asserts Value of Mentoring
This November, Michael Shannon, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital Boston, was appointed the first African-American professor of pediatrics in HMS history. Shannon, who practices pediatric emergency medicine and medical toxicology, recalls that in his 21 years in the HMS community, he had never seen an African-American professor of pediatrics. To quell his curiosity, he asked around, checked School records and found that in the School’s history, none had existed.
Michael Shannon says that mentors have enriched his experience at HMS. (Photo by Rachel Meyer)
“I was surprised. I certainly didn’t think I was going to be the first one,” he said. “It’s a source of great personal pride and satisfaction to have met the very high standard that one must meet in order to be promoted to full professor. Frankly, it doesn’t matter what color you are, it’s an accomplishment.”
The Harvard Medical community has been working to increase diversity at all levels, from students to senior faculty, but increasing diversity in senior ranks has been a slow road.
“It does remain obvious that there is a real dearth of physicians of color, particularly at senior ranks in the Harvard hospitals,” Shannon said. “I think everyone is becoming more attentive to that and trying to seriously address what can be done about it.”
Shannon, who also leads the Division of Emergency Medicine at Children’s, recommends improving the effort to retain junior faculty and stresses the importance of mentorship. “It’s finding ways to interest graduate and medical students and residents in becoming a part of this community. Giving them a reason, showing them the positives, and providing role models is the only solution.”
This factored into Shannon’s decision to center his medical career at a Harvard hospital. “I got lucky in finding two of the best mentors that one could ever hope to find,” he said, referring to Fred Lovejoy, the William Berenberg professor of pediatrics, and Gary Fleisher, the Thomas Morgan Rotch professor of pediatrics, both at HMS and Children’s.
Fleischer said of Shannon, “Not only does he possess the highest clinical qualifications, but he is a superb clinical investigator and educator. I feel fortunate to have a division chief with Dr. Shannon’s professional stature, dedication to pediatrics, and commitment to Children’s Hospital.” Fleisher is head of the hospital’s Department of Pediatrics.
As he considers the next 20 years of his career, Shannon, who is currently working on editing the fourth edition of Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose, wants to continue finding ways to encourage aspiring medical professionals. “Part of the reason I stay in this community are the fellows, residents, medical and undergraduate students, and high schoolers I see daily who are thinking about careers in medicine. Nothing pleases me more than speaking with them, providing advice, and really making them excited about a future in medicine, particularly pediatrics.”
— Leah Gourley