ABR volunteer Sherwin Chan, MD, and his family enjoy traveling. They especially look forward to visiting state and national parks to take in the unique wildlife and stunning vistas.
It’s a good thing Dr. Chan is comfortable on the move. At the beginning of March, he made a big jump from committee chair to pediatric radiology representative on the ABR Board of Trustees (BOT).
“I’ve really loved my service with the ABR, and it was a great opportunity to continue,” he said.
Dr. Chan, who has been an ABR volunteer since 2016, steps into the role previously filled by Stephen Simoneaux, MD. Dr. Simoneaux recently moved to the ABR Board of Governors. Dr. Chan said discussions with his predecessor inspired him to welcome a BOT spot.
“He’s been a great mentor, and we’ve had conversations about a lot of things besides ABR stuff,” he said. “I’ve learned so much from him. I feel really, really grateful for the opportunity to do this work.”
Dr. Simoneaux sees Dr. Chan as the right volunteer to pick up the role. Numerous challenges and opportunities are coming, including the new Diagnostic Radiology (DR) Oral Certifying Exam in 2028 and 15-month pediatric radiology alternate pathway. Dr. Simoneaux sees Dr. Chan’s experience as chair of the pediatrics section of the DR Qualifying Exam Committee as an excellent proving ground.
“Sherwin did a great job with the organizational challenges of the Core Exam and worked well with all committee members and ABR staff,” he said. “His attention to detail will be essential as we restart the oral certifying exam in diagnostic radiology. His thoughtfulness and affability will ensure that excellent teams of new volunteers will be ready, as well.”
Dr. Chan serves as the vice-chair of research at Children’s Mercy Kansas City and is a professor of radiology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He chose pediatric radiology as a career during his residency rotations at the University of Washington Medical Center. He followed up with a pediatric radiology fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“I love working with kids,” Dr. Chan said. “They’re fantastic, and they always put a smile on my face when I go into patient rooms. It’s been a great fit.”
He enjoys patient contact, working with children and their parents. It’s most satisfying when he’s able to improve kids’ conditions and see them lead healthy lives.
“Even kids with tumors, a lot of the times you get rid of the tumor, and you hear stories about them and they’re thriving,” Dr. Chan said. “I enjoy the ability to see great outcomes every day. Being an optimistic person, I love seeing patients get better.”
Dr. Chan and his wife, Katy, have three daughters. The family is planning a road trip through California this summer, starting in San Diego and winding through the northern part of the state. Included in the plans are stops at three national parks: Kings Canyon, Sequioa, and Yosemite.
As a result of these travels, their children are growing up with an appreciation for the outdoors. They’ve already been to several state and national parks, including Canyonlands, Moab, Glacier, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone.
“Part of why we do it is we feel like they really enjoy it,” he said of their kids. “They’re in awe. They saw some of the few remaining glaciers at Glacier National Park and some mountain sheep and mountain goats. They were just staring at the grizzly bears we saw there.”
When he’s not traveling or working, Dr. Chan has been getting guidance to help him better serve the ABR’s pediatric radiology stakeholders. Along with Dr. Simoneaux, he credits Trustee Kate Maturen, MD, DR Associate Executive Director Mimi Newell, MD, and Executive Director Brent Wagner MD, MBA for their assistance. He has more time to learn and interact with his peers before his first in-person Board meeting in October.
“I’m feeling very supported,” Dr. Chan said. “I sometimes feel that imposter syndrome. ‘Why am I here?’ But I trust the people on the Board. I trust their decisions, so I’m just trying to do the best I can.”
