Posted April 23, 2008

Lawrence Kaplan connects students, patients for the best medical learning and care

Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching

Lawrence Kaplan
Photo by Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Lawrence Kaplan, professor of medicine at the School of Medicine and chief of General Internal Medicine at Temple University Hospital, brings to his job a boundless enthusiasm for teaching, a creative approach to the work and a real ability to connect with learners at all levels.
Lawrence Kaplan says that he can’t teach in a classroom.

He’s not being literal of course; rather, he firmly believes that the patient bedside is the most important place for medical students and residents to learn.

“The patients act as teachers and help me educate students. At the same time, the patients are taking control of their healthcare,” said Kaplan, professor of medicine at the School of Medicine and chief of General Internal Medicine at Temple University Hospital, and a 2008 winner of the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching.

This is Kaplan’s M.O., to weave both education and patient care into everything he does, one constantly informing the other. He continually strives to be a master clinician so that he can take the best care of his patients, and also model this care for students and others.

 

   

“Dr. Kaplan required us to present our patient’s history to the group, while in the room with the patient,” recalled one student. “He impressed on us how crucial it was to see the patient as a member of the team and that patients enjoy being interactive with their doctors. He made it clear that the role of the physician was to be respectful and knowledgeable and to be a teacher to both colleagues and patients.”

As one might expect, Kaplan is very popular among students and patients.

“He’s not only a great teacher but one of the most sought-after doctors at Temple both in the practice and in the hospital,” said Thomas Fekete, professor and chief for the Section of Infectious Diseases at Temple.

A native of Philadelphia, born at Temple University Hospital, Kaplan graduated with dual degrees in biology and psychology from Boston University and received his medical degree from Temple in 1986 — following his father, who also received a medical degree from Temple, and his mother, who received a master’s of education from Temple.

After completing his residency at the Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital, Kaplan joined the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey until returning to Temple in 2002.

Despite his rigorous schedule of teaching responsibilities that include lectures, small-group sessions and individual interactions, as well as teaching and evaluation of clinical skills, Kaplan is consistently praised for his accessibility.

“He epitomizes the qualities that we expect and desire in our teachers: a boundless enthusiasm for teaching, a creative approach to the work and a real ability to connect with learners at all levels,” Fekete said.

For Kaplan, the best thing about teaching is watching the light bulb go off.

“I enjoy being with my students and love watching them grow and succeed,” he said. “To be recognized for what you love to do by those you respect is a great honor.”

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