Reflections on 45 Years from Blaise Congeni

Is Blaise Congeni, M.D., on the 18th hole of his career—or the 18th green?

It depends whether you ask him or his wife, said the affable pediatric infectious disease physician on Wednesday at NEOMED.  Yes, he retired as director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Akron Children’s Hospital in December 2020, after 45 years of service, but he remains very much present in the medical community. April 6, the professor of pediatrics and medical microbiology met with second-year College of Medicine students before presenting the University’s annual infectious disease event, the Chatrchai Watanakunakorn, M.D., Lectureship in Medicine.

The lecture was presented both live and via Zoom, making it possible for Dr. Watanakunakorn’s wife, Eleanor, and son, Paul Watanakunakorn, M.D., a clinical assistant professor of internal medicine, to attend.

Eugene Mowad, M.D., interim dean of the College of Medicine, warmly welcomed attendees and then turned the microphone over to Ping Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., the Watanakunakorn Chair of Integrative Sciences and a professor of surgery at NEOMED. Introducing the day’s keynote speaker, Dr. Zhang noted that Dr. Congeni’s many awards for excellence in medical education include being named to the Master Teacher Guild at NEOMED.

Availability, Affability, Ability

Many people have trouble getting through on the phone to their physician, who is shielded from their calls, said Dr. Congeni. That’s not how he has ever wanted to practice. A favorite compliment came from a nurse in 2007, he related: “There is never a moment he is not willing to take a call, answer a question or see a patient,” she said then.

Physicians are often wary of what they call the curbside consult—being asked a question as they are on the way to see a patient. But sometimes situations call for immediate attention, he noted.

Regarding affability, Dr. Congeni joked, “Some people are born a quart low on personality.” If that’s you, make a special effort to be present for the patient, and to be likeable.

Finally, regarding ability: “You don’t know what you don’t know. Get great training, and know your guidelines, he advised.

And whatever you do, surround yourself with people who make you better.