Christopher Graber, MD, MPH is a Program Director for the UCLA Multicampus Fellowship in Infectious Diseases and Medical Director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. His current research interests are in providing cognitive support for antimicrobial prescribing decisions at the point of care, diagnostic stewardship, and provision of feedback on prescribing patterns. More recently, he has developed an interest in how to promote equity and quality in infectious diseases fellowship recruitment, retention, and career development.
How did you get interested in medical education?
I developed my interest in medical education primarily through my experiences at VA facilities throughout my training. The attendings I had at the VA always had time to teach.
How have you integrated medical education into your career?
One of the best things about a career in academic medicine is that your roles can shift over time. I have had many different educational roles and leadership opportunities over the years that have informed what I am doing now.
How did you transform your interest in medical education into a career?
Just kept plugging and looking for new opportunities.
What is one medical innovation that makes you the most proud?
Helping to build the VA antimicrobial stewardship community into a leader in provision of stewardship at a programmatic level
How have you transformed your medical education work into scholarship?
My former program director Chip Chambers always said, “Once written, always published.” Get projects done, write them up, and keep plugging until they are published.
What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your career as an educator thus far?
The most rewarding aspect of my career is the long-term follow up I have with former trainees and being able to follow their successes.