Getting to know Dr. Gudrun Casper-Bell, Associate Professor, Endocrinology & Metabolism - Saskatoon

My Background:
I came to Canada in November 2006 to work as an Endocrinologist and faculty member in the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. I did my training for internal medicine and endocrinology in Germany at the University of Heidelberg and Frankfurt Am Maine. My doctoral thesis in 1998 was in the field of autoimmune thyroid diseases.

Describe your most memorable teaching moment:
Research and teaching inpatient care setting is my passion. I find it very exciting to show students and residents different approaches to unlock the complex puzzle of different medical entities. It’s very exciting to be able to pass the passion of being a doctor. The highlights of my teaching sessions are when I can involve my followers in medical tests and imaging (ultrasound) that I do myself and see the “AHA” effect. It is very rewarding when former students or residents reach out to discuss a case or a patient they are involved with as they remember that I had shown them a similar case before.

In your busy clinical days, how do you fit in teaching?
My daily clinics are mostly focused on teaching. I book a wide variety of endocrine disorders (and of course follow-ups) so that I can expose the learners to different clinical pictures.

Why is teaching important to you?
Medicine is a very complex field that you cannot strictly learn from literature. Being taught different ways to approach disorders and symptoms, seeing different clinical pictures, interpreting signs and lab work is most effective if you have an experienced teacher with you. I like to share my knowledge and passion with learners hoping to give them the right tools on their way to a successful career as a doctor.

What is the key to successful teaching?
In my opinion, the motivation of the learners, being a good role model and being available to stand by the learners' sides are keys to successful teaching.