VCUHS Programs Help Physician Fulfill Role as Both Mother and Doctor

By Kristy Abato
VCU Strategy and Marketing

Stephanie Call, M.D., and her husband, J. Christian Barrett, M.D., went through dozens of legal pads for years analyzing what was best for their careers and their family.

“We learned that if one person isn’t satisfied in their career, it can pull the entire unit down, big time,” said Call, an associate professor of medicine who serves as program director of the internal medicine residency program and associate chair for education in the Department of Internal Medicine at VCU.

Before coming to VCU, Call had decided to put aside her passion for medical research to pursue her passion of being a mother.

However, when Call was offered the opportunity to work at VCU as director of the medical residency program for the Department of Internal Medicine, she learned that she would have access to an on-site childcare facility and could negotiate terms of employment that provided a flexible schedule.

 “We knew we needed flexibility with our schedules to raise our three daughters (Alex, 12; Kate, 10; and Emma, 9) in a manner consistent with our values,” said Barrett, an associate professor of medicine and the associate chair for clinical operations in the Department of Internal Medicine.

Call said working at VCU has made it easier to be successful in her work life and her home life. Call is the VCU Health System’s “Working Mother of the Year.”

“I am really proud of the program director I am. I am really proud of being a physician. I am most proud of being the best mom I know,” said Call. “The only reason I’m able to be a great mom and have a fulfilling career is because of VCU.  I don’t have to choose between having a wonderful personal life and having a fulfilling career.”

Call oversees an average of 120 medical residents every year.

“Teaching is Dr. Call’s passion,” said John Nestler, M.D., William Branch Porter Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine. “It is what she lives for. For Dr. Call, teaching is personal.”

Call has been honored for her commitment and dedication by being recognized for numerous national awards, including the including the American College of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award.

The coveted national award is bestowed to only 10 program directors out of approximately 3,000 residency program directors across the country.

“Clearly, Stephanie is an incredible asset for us and our residents,” Nestler said.

Subscribe to the weekly VCU News email newsletter at http://wp.vcu.edu/vcunews/ and receive a selection of stories, videos, photos, news clips and event listings in your inbox every Thursday.