Dr. Pamela Ellsworth Advances as New Chief of Pediatric Urology
Dr. Pamela I. Ellsworth,
Chief of Pediatric Urology, Nemours Children’s Hospital
The Kaye/Bassman Academic Medicine Recruiting Practice has recently named Dr. Pamela Ellsworth, a recognized urologist with more than 21 years of pediatric urologic practice experience, to the position of Chief of Pediatric Urology. We sat down with Dr. Ellsworth to hear why she chose to work at Nemours and what gets her excited to come to work each and every day. Let’s take a look through the lens of a dedicated leader and exceptional healthcare provider.
Why did you pursue a medical degree?
Ellsworth: I have always been fascinated by the sciences, but realized in college that working in a lab was not for me. I preferred to interact with people. I enjoy working with my hands and thus gravitated toward the surgical specialties, but wanted a surgical specialty that would afford me the opportunity to develop a doctor-patient relationship. I found pediatric urology allowed me ample time to work in the clinic as well as the operating room and to manage patients, often for several years, and watch them grow up as well as help guide their parents/caretakers through the child’s care.
What would you tell others who are considering pursuing a specialty in medicine?
Ellsworth: Medicine is a wonderful field. There are a variety of options and it is important to understand the demands associated with each, so that one can choose a specialty that is aligned with ones talents, career goals and personal life.
What drew you the most to the Chief of Pediatric Urology position at Nemours Children’s Hospital?
Ellsworth: I have spent much of my career working in hospitals that have a Children’s Hospital within a hospital and being part of a urology practice with both adult and pediatric urologists. The ability to work in a free standing Children’s Hospital, with all of my colleagues being involved in the care of children is an exciting opportunity. I am familiar with Nemours, having undertaken my pediatric urology fellowship at the University of Florida/Gainesville and Nemours in Jacksonville. I very much enjoyed the physicians and support staff that I worked with and the Nemours philosophy. I am very excited about the opportunity to develop the pediatric urologic services at the Nemours Children’s Hospital as well as develop stronger interactions between the various Nemours sites.
Would you say this new position is a path you were looking for or a more spontaneous change?
Ellsworth: This new position is a path that I was looking for. I have been involved in a variety of leadership roles, but have not had the opportunity to develop a pediatric urologic practice involving multiple colleagues.
How does your new position bring a positive change to your career?
Ellsworth: I have had the role of developing and expanding a pediatric urologic practice in Worcester, Ma but this impacted only myself – I look forward to the opportunity to build not only a multi-provider practice but also to help develop the careers of those colleagues within the division. This is an exciting extension of the work that I have done over the years with medical students and residents.
What is the biggest challenge you think you will face as the new Chief, Pediatric Urologist?
Ellsworth: Developing and strengthening the referral base. This will require an understanding of the needs and concerns of the referring providers.
What do you like most about the Orlando area?
Ellsworth: Growth of the area is phenomenal; ethnic diversity; a free-standing pediatric hospital is unheard of these days. Oh yes, what I can say, the ability to get through the winter without 122-inches of snow is very attractive also.
Where do you see the Pediatric Urology Division in the next 10 years?
Ellsworth: I envision the Division of Pediatric Urology to be the number one group of providers to care for infants and children with pediatric urologic conditions in central Florida. The goal is to develop the pediatric urology division as providing state-of-the-art care – compassionate and quality care – I also see the Pediatric Urology Division as being an integral part of the north central Nemours Health Care System as it develops centers of excellence for pediatric urologic care. In addition, I see the pediatric urology division closely integrated with several other pediatric subspecialties such as pediatric nephrology, pediatric gastroenterology, pediatric surgery and pediatric radiology to provide multidisciplinary care.
What impact do you think you will have on the Urology Division and the Department of Surgery? What’s your vision?
Ellsworth: It is my intention to develop the Urology Division and Department of Surgery clinically and academically. To establish the Urology Division as a leader in efficient quality care, as well as to build the clinical and academic interactions with the other Nemours sites.
Please explain how you would foster a culture of faculty/residents trust in your division as the new Division Chief?
Ellsworth: As the Division Chief, I must keep the best interests of my faculty at heart and realize that my position is to foster and develop the careers of my faculty. The residents and faculty need to feel that they can bring up concerns and issues to me and that such issues will remain confidential and discussed only with appropriate individuals.
Can you briefly describe your experience working with the Kaye/Bassman Academic Medicine Recruiting Team?
Ellsworth: It has been a very positive experience – I have not worked with a recruiter before and I found that it facilitated the process immensely.
Had you worked with a recruiter before and how was it different?
Ellsworth: I have never worked with one before. I was able to get an insight into Nemours before my interview.
What’s the single best reason you would recommend working with Kaye/Bassman Academic Medicine Recruiting Practice?
Ellsworth: Diligence and follow-up were outstanding. KBIC Academic Medicine optimized the interactions with the hiring managers, as well as worked in the timely manner. Surprised by how quickly the search process went.
Is there anything we could do to make the experience better?
Ellsworth: I had a positive experience. All questions were answered quickly, received valuable information on the area, volume, etc. Continue moving forward with this current search, interactions continue to be successful.