Faculty Focus: Azeem Ahmed, MD, MBA
What is your hometown?
Bettendorf, Iowa
How/when did you become interested in science and/or medicine?
I am a 4th generation in a row physician. Both of my parents and my brother are physicians so it’s essentially the family business!
When did you join the University of Iowa faculty?
2005
How or why did you choose to join the faculty at the University of Iowa?
It was a chance to return home and assist in the development of the recently created Department of Emergency Medicine.
Is there a teacher or mentor who helped shape your career?
Dr. Eric Dickson was the founding Chair of our department and he believed in me much more than I probably deserved!
How do you see your faculty role impacting medicine and/or science?
I hope that my clinical, teaching, and research contributions will make a positive impact on others.
What is the biggest change you've experienced in your field since you were a student?
The use of technology, especially the electronic health record has really shaped the learning and practice of medicine.
What one piece of advice would you give to today's students?
Spend the majority of your time helping and lifting up other people – their success will be your success.
In what ways are you engaged in professional activities outside the University (i.e. population based research, mentoring high school students, sharing your leadership/ expertise with organizations or causes, speaking engagement off campus, etc.)?
I mentor college students, speak at professional meetings locally and nationally, and provide service on national committees.
What are some of your outside (personal) interests?
Travel, marathon running, Twitter