ASH Clinical News ACN_4.4_FULL_ISSUE_DIGITAL | Page 12

Pulling Back the Curtain : Andra James , MD , MPH
hematology and obstetrics / gynecology , but our disciplines are siloed in a way that those integrated needs were not being met .
Do you think that has changed since you started your career ? I would like to think that there are more multidisciplinary opportunities , but I have also seen hematology become more subspecialized . At the same time , we have witnessed an explosion in molecular biology , which means there is a huge knowledge base to grasp . To be the best in one ’ s field , hematologists must become exceptionally knowledgeable about one particular area .
The potential downside is the silo effect . There must be enough crosstalk between the sub-subspecialties to put our expertise into context and determine how that knowledge can be used for the benefit of our patients .
In my practice , I have cultivated close relationships with cardiologists , rheumatologists , and other specialists whose patients require anticoagulation . For hematologists , interdisciplinary communication is a natural inclination : Blood goes everywhere .
in New Jersey ( now Rowan University ), so I likely inherited my love of history from him . When I was 10 years old , I became fascinated with the Civil War when I did a book report on Lee and Grant at Appomattox . It became my favorite book as a kid . When I had my own children , I bought each of them The Golden Book of the Civil War .
When I moved to Durham , North Carolina , my passion for this era of
American history really took hold . The trigger was a visit to the Bennett Place State Historic Site , the location of the largest troop surrender of the war , when Confederate General Joseph E . Johnston surrendered to Major General William Tecumseh Sherman in April 1865 . I became a docent and tour guide for the site and , to be the best tour guide possible , threw myself into learning everything I could about the Civil War .
Surprisingly , my work and personal interests have collided . A couple of years ago , I was asked to speak at the South Carolina Obstetrical and Gynecological Society . When I accepted the offer , they asked me to provide a list of topics I would be able to talk about , so they could choose the best topic for their members . I sent them a list of seven subjects : thrombocytopenia in pregnancy , sickle cell disease in pregnancy , heavy menstrual bleeding in women with
Tell us about your family – did anyone share your career in medicine ? My husband and I have three grown children – a son , a daughter , and a stepdaughter . Our son is a criminal attorney in private practice , and my stepdaughter is an accountant here at Duke . Our daughter is an orthopedic surgeon ; I like to say that she became the carpenter I never was because she works with screws , drills , saws , and whatnot every day .
She is also the mother of my two grandchildren , so I look forward to FaceTiming with them every week .
My husband is a retired electrical engineer . He worked in research and development in cellular communications , so I was the only one in my medical school class with a cell phone . Of course , they all laughed at me because it was the size of a brick , but I had young children at the time , and the only way anyone could reach me was on this giant phone . I told them , “ You just watch – some day you ’ re all going to own one , and your children are going to own one .” They thought it was impossible . Obviously , I have been vindicated .
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What do you enjoy doing in your time outside of work – if you have any ? I am getting better about creating time to do things for myself . I like to read Civil War history .
My father was a college professor and chairman of the social studies department at Glassboro State College
10 ASH Clinical News