Target Audience: Physicians, basic scientists, clinical researchers, physician-scientists, medical and graduate trainees involved or interested in conducting translational bench-bedside research.

The Objectives of this Panel discussion/networking are to (i) Define the role of a physician-scientist in academic medicine; (2) Understand the various paths to developing a career as a physician-scientist and (3) Have the opportunity to network with current trainees at staff at various stages of their career as physician-scientist.

By bridging the gap between the laboratory bench and patient bedside, physician-scientists have made fundamental discoveries that have revolutionized modern medicine. Mentorship is repeatedly noted as the key element in developing a successful career as physician-scientist. In this session, you will have the opportunity to network with current MD/PhD trainees at various stages of their career along with established physician-scientists. We will discuss the various training pathways that exist in order to develop as a physician-scientist and the perceived barriers that may preclude trainees from pursuing this unique career path. Lastly, we will review the unique position and role of physician-scientists in academic medicine and how their dual training enables them to be leaders in their respective fields. It is our hope that this session will motivate trainees at all levels to consider the possibility of combining their clinical interests with their passion for scientific curiosity in order to pursue a career in two unique worlds – the clinic and the laboratory.