Women in Science, Dentistry, and Medicine Professional Achievement “WISDM” Award
It is fitting that Dr. Amelia Grover, Associate Professor of Surgical Oncology, would be recognized this year, when the WISDM conference keynote focuses on service. How does a busy surgical oncologist have time to manage multiple leadership roles, earn excellent teaching evaluations, build an impressive CV, pioneer novel approaches to surgical care, pursue professional development – oh – and balance that with a family and interests outside medicine? For the answer, look to Dr. Grover’s example.
Dr. “Aimee” Grover came to VCU in 2005 after completing a surgical oncology fellowship at the National Cancer Institute/NIH. She was recruited to help build the endocrine surgery practice, which she has achieved while developing excellent relationships within VCU and with referring physicians. ” She has built a remarkable endocrine surgery practice…with a multidisciplinary approach with radiology, endocrinology and pathology to deliver the highest standard of care,” states Vigneshwar Kasirajan, M.D., Stuart McGuire Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery. Dr. Grover is developing a program to track patients who have incidental masses discovered as a result of CT scans ordered for other reasons, impacting approximately 400 patients a year who might otherwise not have had follow-up.
Dr. Grover has developed laparoscopic approaches to adrenal tumors and has developed a robotic program for both thyroid and adrenal tumors, among the fi rst in the country. Five completed grants and research projects, over 20 peer reviewed publications, and over 80 presentations demonstrate the wide recognition of her expertise. Dr. Grover also serves as an ad hoc reviewer for the journals Thyroid, International Journal of Breast Cancer, Journal of Graduate Medical Education, and Annals of Surgical Oncology.
A valued teacher and mentor, Dr. Grover’s knowledge and perspective are sought after by college students as well as by colleagues. Jennifer Rhodes, MD, Medical Director of the Center for Craniofacial Care, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, describes, “She reached out to me early in my career at VCU and has been a constant source of support and guidance over the ensuing years. She regularly takes time to ask about my progress and follow up on our discussion.”
Dr. Grover recognizes the importance of making time for professional development, including her role as a VCU BIRCH (Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health) Scholar from 2008-2012 and participation in the VCU Physician Leadership Institute in 2013. Her service commitments have included membership in the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons, the Virginia Surgical Society, Vice President and Program Chair of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) , and President of the VA Chapter of the Association of Women Surgeons. Dr. Grover currently chairs the ACS Diversity Task Force and is active in the AAMC Group on Women in Medicine and Science (GWIMS) Steering Committee. At VCU, Dr. Grover chairs the Clinical Competency Subcommittee of the Surgical Education Oversight Committee and serves as Surgical Simulation Curriculum Co-Organizer. She has been active in WISDM throughout her time at VCU, serving as President from 2011-2013.
Honors include a VCU Hospitals Physician Champion Award (2013), a Breastfeeding Champion Award from VA Breastfeeding Advocates and the VA Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (2011), and recognition in the Richmond Magazine “Top Docs” issue for many years.
Somehow, despite her busy schedule, when you meet Dr. Grover, you are very likely to have a conversation about your family, or about an interesting fabric store she has discovered. Her reputation for demonstrating a healthy work/life balance and supporting this challenging goal in others is well deserved. Dr. Grover remembers to be a person, first, with her colleagues and her patients. As colleague Brian Kaplan, MD., Professor of Surgical Oncology, states, “The things that are not reflected in her CV are her incredible bedside manner, superb communication skills, warm personality and caring nature.”