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.
CV/Appreciations
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.
Medical Student/Residents/Faculty/Colleague Comments
A compiled list of comments and notes of appreciation from over the years.
Diane Guernsey, managing editor, Pulse: “I’ve been in deep mourning ever since this morning [about retiring from the journal]… Truly, I am bereft at the thought of your leaving Pulse. You have been, and are, an extra specially dear person and colleague to me – more than I’ve ever been able to say. I don’t know anyone else who has your uniquely wonderful literary gifts coupled with your executive skills and your boundless generosity of mine, spirit and heart, and I’ve treasured our correspondence over these many years… I’d love it if you’d stay with us in a role that will suit your needs and that will be more low-key, but equally treasured.”
Jessica de la Cruz MBA, Operations Manager, Family Medicine, UCI – “Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for our Department and for always being so patient and humble.”
Elaine Chen MS, Coordinator, Integrative Medicine, Family Medicine UCI – “It was so inspiring to her about your journey and a sampling of your impact. Even for us non-professors your dedication to service and teaching, and your culture of kindness are infectious in the best way!”
The role of poetry and art in medical education at UC Irvine
By Munyao Kilolo, Ph.D. student in comparative literature
Johanna F. Shapiro, Professor Emerita of Family Medicine in the School of Medicine, grew up surrounded by literature and poetry. However, it wasn’t until 1997 that the intersection of medicine and poetry painfully became real to her. In that year, she suffered a major medical challenge, forcing her to devote countless hours to researching her condition. Every piece of information she found during her research made her feel worse. Then, a friend approached her with an unusual suggestion: reading poetry. (Article originally published by UCI School of Humanities)
Commentary: “Storytelling as a Vehicle of Healing”
Jo Marie Reilly, MD, MPH, Keck School of Medicine of USC
This commentary reflects the professional life story of a respected editor, poet, and champion of medical humanities, Johanna Shapiro. A psychologist by training, Johanna’s work in medical humanities is well known and respected by health professionals in multiple venues. It is within family medicine that Johanna found her professional home. Her work has focused on the value of storytelling as a vehicle of healing, helping health professionals at all levels of training better understand their patients’ experiences of illness and healing. The understanding helps patients more deeply connect to their illness and wellness. This commentary offers a tribute to Johanna’s professional life and her contributions to family and narrative medicine.