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Himmelfarb Headlines: Faculty Profile - Interview with Susan LeLacheur, Professor of Physician Assistant Studies

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Faculty Profile - Interview with Susan LeLacheur, Professor of Physician Assistant Studies

Faculty Profile

Himmelfarb Library continues this feature in our newsletter that lets us become better acquainted with our friends and colleagues at the George Washington University. We learn more about Susan LeLacheur, Professor of Physician Assistant Studies at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. While Dr. LeLacheur recently retired, her contributions to GW will have a lasting impact, and we want to recognize her significant contributions to the PA program, the health sciences community, and beyond.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, and about the work you are currently engaged in?
Right now I am in the thick of teaching our students about infectious disease topics. There is a lot going on in that arena right now, particularly as climate change and political/policy decisions change the trajectories of both old and new infectious disease patterns. My scholarly work focuses mainly on equity and inclusion, particularly health equity.

What brought you to GW?
GW came to me rather than me coming to GW - they bought the primary care clinic in which I was working (Centro Medico Familiar) in 1984. I continued there until I moved into HIV research with the MFA in 1987, then joined the PA Program in 1996.

What inspired you to work in your field?
I wanted to care for patients but didn't want to spend 4 years in medical school. I met some PAs while doing volunteer work in a community clinic and realized the PA profession was exactly what I was looking for.

What is your favorite aspect of your work?
It is hard to pick one favorite thing! I love sharing my passion for caring for patients with the students, interacting with other members of our amazing faculty (both PA and SMHS more broadly), and with PA faculty nationwide.

You recently co-taught two sessions of the Health Sciences Equity Grand Rounds on "Eliminating Race-based Practices in Health Professions Education and Practice" and "Death by Discrimination".  Can you share more about that work?
After more than a quarter century working together teaching students and faculty about health equity and health disparities, Howard Straker and I, along with our colleague from Maharry, Kara Caruthers, realized that graduate PAs, as well as students, needed to learn about some of the racial bias that has long been hardwired into medical practice and teaching. Both of these presentations have been given to practicing PAs through the American Academy of PAs (AAPA)and to PA faculty through the PA Education Association (PAEA). The first is about algorithms used to make clinical determinations that include race as a reason for making a particular choice, most often to the detriment of patients of color. Many of these came to light during the Covid-19 pandemic, and recommendations are changing, but change comes slowly in some areas. The other presentation focuses on the interrelated environmental, social, and psychological factors that affect human biology. Bottom line, racism of any sort makes all of us sick.

What library resources or services have you found to be the most useful?
MEDLINE, PubMed, DynaMed, and of course the amazing librarians on whom I have relied for help with literature reviews and help with copyright.

How do you spend your free time? (or What do you do to relax?)
Relax? I work with friends in an organization called Following Francis, after Francis of Assisi who cared for all as his family. We search out and sort fresh food that would otherwise go to waste and distribute it to folks in DC who need it. Relaxation comes in the form of a near daily walk in this beautiful city.

What advice would you give to a new faculty member just starting at GW?
Always remember your "why" and keep your work focused there. Take advantage of all the resources provided and find collaborators who share your passion.