Pamela D. Berens, MD
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 713-500-6385
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Educational Philosophy
My educational philosophy involves structuring evidence based medical education with an enthusiastic, learner involved teaching style. I feel that it is important for students to know how to locate and critique current evidence-based information. I also have learned that different individuals have different learning styles and feel that retention is supported by allowing flexible learning styles. My philosophy of patient care is similarly educationally driven. I encourage the use of questions and access to qualified informational sites to allow patients to participate in their care to the extent that they are capable and interested. I try to exemplify this to the students and residents that I attempt to mentor. The wonderful opportunity of practicing in such a diverse setting as ours is the opportunity to teach at “multiple levels”. I feel that this is what makes our particular setting such a valuable resource for education. Students and residents may be asked to provide meaningful education to such a diverse background of patients from both an educational and socio-economically diverse perspective. This stretches their teaching ability to understand and communicate to provide up to date and yet compassionate care. My teaching efforts regarding lactation have assisted with my development of skills geared toward such different populations yet covering similar material. I may be educating local WIC peer counselors one hour and providing a physician lecture the next. Engaging and educating these 2 groups involves very different strategies to encourage the attention of the audience. I assist with media events for a similar reason as I attempt to provide easy to understand yet up to date and accurate information for the public.
Education
Medical School
University of Minnesota Medical School
Residency
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Medical School
Areas of Expertise and Interest
Minimally invasive surgery
Breastfeeding
Vaginal birth after cesarean
Publications