July Physician Spotlight: Robert Lam, MD

1.     Who or what inspired you to become a physician?

My mom was severely injured when I was five years old. I spent my childhood going to a lot of doctors and physical therapy appointments. I remember how much my mom felt that she was impacted by care and relationships she developed with her physicians and physical therapists. That left a strong impression on me, of how medicine can heal and really change the lives of patients in positive ways. These interactions had a lasting impact that molded my desire to become a physician.

2.      Briefly describe a "peak experience" from your career: interaction with a mentor, memorable patient, etc.

Mid-career, I started experiencing significant career burnout which has now become an occupational hazard for physicians and especially emergency medicine. What I saw when I would go to work were colleagues who were significantly burnt out, and I could feel burnt out really starting to affect myself as well. It motivated me to learn more about what burnout is, why we become burnt out, what solutions we can undertake, and how we can work within organized medicine to address one of the key crises of practicing medicine in my generation. I think burnout has had a significant negative effect on our profession; leaving people physically and emotionally exhausted and with a pessimistic view of medicine. A highlight for me was after founding and leading the American Academy of Emergency Medicine’s Physician Wellness committee for many years, I was awarded the James Keaney Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to the American Academy of Emergency Medicine. My work in physician wellness through that organization included collaboration with all other emergency medicine organizations and the National Academy of Medicine to create well-being programs that had major impact for physician well-being with efforts that continue to this day. Some of the initiatives I’m most proud of include creating a well-being curriculum for our Scientific Assembly, creating events that utilize narrative to celebrate and normalize the work of emergency physicians, and the creation of National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. Of course, there is much more work to do, but that was a nice capstone for my work for the academy and our physician colleagues.

3.     What led you to become involved in El Paso County Medical Society?

Although I’m from the Midwest, living in Colorado was always a dream of mine. After moving to Colorado Springs, I was really impressed with the medical community here. We have excellent physicians that come from all over the country and everyone is very collegial. The El Paso County Medical Society is a great organization that brings together physicians from different practicing specialties where we might not otherwise get a chance to connect.

4.     What advice would you give to physicians-in-training who are just starting their careers?

I think that finding a practice that aligns with your personal sense of purpose and meaning with leadership that can live out that vision is the most important thing. Second is working with people that you really enjoy helps to make your colleagues a work family that can help you weather difficult times. When you have that alignment of values and relationships, you set yourself up for a fulfilling career in medicine.

5.     What do you enjoy doing outside of medicine?

I love spending time with my children and my wife. I love to travel and we love traveling and exploring different cultures as a family. Of course, living in Colorado, I love to get outside to take advantage of all the wonderful places to recreate outdoors. Finally, enjoying gastronomy, is a big hobby of mine. If I ever stop practicing medicine, I would love to do something in gastronomy.