It is a privilege to be asked to comment on the work of Dr. Johanna Shapiro. As long-distance colleagues, then friends, Dr. Shapiro and I have become familiar with one another’s research, teaching, service, and writing both within and beyond Family Medicine over nearly a decade. I heartily endorse her proposed accelerated merit increase from Professor, Step I to Professor, Step III in your Department. I regard Dr. Shapiro — as do many throughout the country — as a Family Medicine institution who is also a person! Without an eyeblink, I place her in the category of G. Gayle Stephens, John Frey, Lucy Candib, the late Hiram Curry, Lynn and Joan Carmichael, Donald Bloch, Donald Ransom, Theodore Phillips, and Ian McWhinney.
Appreciative Letters/Comments
Miscellaneous Letters of Evaluation
Since 1995, Dr. Shapiro has provided key leadership to the undergraduate teaching programs in the College of Medicine. She has served as Ethics Co-Coordinator and small group facilitator in cross-cultural medicine (PDI); as Ethics Coordinator, Course Co-leader, and Medical Humanities Faculty expert (PDII); and Clinical Humanities faculty (PDIII). Dr. Shapiro has also contributed to the graduate level student in the College of Medicine, serving as faculty for a Literature in Medicine elective and clinic preceptor in the family medicine residency. She has lectured on multiple occasions over the past four years to a broad-based group of learners, including medical students, residents in family medicine, nurse practitioner students, and DCI faculty physicians. Her topics have ranged from medical humanities to doctor-patient communication to clinical research methods to working with families. Overall, the evaluations from her teaching activities are uniformly outstanding, with commendation for insightfulness, professionalism, and sincere concern for her students. Dr. Shapiro received VCI COM Certificates of Appreciation for both the PDI and PDII courses during the past four years. In 1997, Dr. Shapiro enhanced her own teaching skills when she completed both the Bayer Doctor Patient Communication Training Course as an Instructor, and an intensive Spanish course.
Miscellaneous Teaching Evaluations
- Dr. Shapiro’s teaching strengths are far beyond excellent. She is a great speaker and listener. She has a talent for expressing compassion as well as reaching out to the students. She is very open and friendly, creating a great environment.
- She was open to listening. I felt I could go up and talk to her on a personal level as well as professional. One word to describe her would be approachable.
- She really encouraged students to talk and makes a comfortable surrounding in which we can feel free to open up and talk.
- Very organized with all the reading packets. Allocated time well between the readings/discussions. Found very interesting readings. Very personable and friendly.
- She is able to bring the readings and/or discussions to a personal level. She attains to connect with each student on a personal level and creates a very warm, welcoming atmosphere.