Cody Chastain, MD, MEHP, FIDSA is an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt Health and the associate dean for undergraduate medical education at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He founded and directs the Vanderbilt Department of Medicine EXCellence In TEaching (EXCITE) pathway for house staff. In addition, he serves as the principal investigator for the Health Resources and Services Administration-funded Southeast AIDS Education and Training Center.
How did you get interested in medical education?
I always enjoyed the process of learning and teaching. Being a teacher of some kind was one of the few careers I seriously considered before going to medical school. While a medical student at Loma Linda University, I served as a student representative to medical school administration related to accreditation and curriculum, and those interests persisted throughout my training.
How have you integrated medical education into your career?
I have looked for opportunities and have been active in all levels of education, including undergraduate medical education, graduate medical education and continuous professional development. At each opportunity to become more involved as an educator, I have said “yes” first and then figured out a way to make it happen!
How did you transform your interest in medical education into a career?
As I became more involved as a junior faculty member, funded and supported opportunities became available. Some of these developed out of the voluntary work I had already been doing. Others were “natural fits” because of my prior experience. This has transformed my career from a traditional “clinician educator” to more of an “educator clinician” as it pertains to my professional identity and how I spend my time.
What is one medical innovation that makes you the most proud?
Teaching is a skill that can be taught and practiced, just as many other elements in the practice of medicine. I am proud to have founded and direct the Vanderbilt Department of Medicine EXCITE pathway for internal medicine residents and specialty fellows. This pathway integrates the development of teaching as a skill regardless of a participant’s future professional plans. At this point, hundreds of Vanderbilt house staff have benefited from this early educational mentorship, coaching and professional development to contribute to the next generation of medical teachers.
How have you transformed your medical education work into scholarship?
I have been blessed to work with fantastic research colleagues in both clinical and educational realms. I have looked for opportunities to partner as an education expert on a variety of projects as a collaborator. As I have moved through my career, I have also done a better job of viewing educational programming through the lens of scholarship. If it is worth doing, there is likely a way to structure the work in a scholarly way to make an impact beyond the educational initiative itself!
What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your career as an educator thus far?
My role as an educator has brought a great sense of balance to my career. While I enjoy patient care and traditional research, teaching brings me fulfillment and joy in my work. Regardless of their ultimate plans, I encourage mentees to remember to enjoy the journey rather than only focus on the destination!