MEET DR. ELAINE NIGGEMANN | MARCH 6TH, 2023

Dr. Elaine Niggemann, MD, FACC, is the Faculty Advisor for the Gold Humanism Honors Society (GHHS) and Associate Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix (UACOMP). 

1. Firstly, for those that may not know you. Please share a little background about yourself and your journey as a cardiologist. How did you foster compassion for your patients throughout your career?

My journey as a cardiologist started as a Candy Striper (young woman volunteer) at Honor Health in Scottsdale, where I gave water to patients, handed out newspapers, etc. I completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Arizona State University (ASU) College of Nursing in the late 1960s, and I loved it. During my senior year at ASU (1969-1970), the Vietnam War co-occurred. At the time, nightly newsreels were on TV showing the fighting. An Army Nurse Corps Recruiter visited campus and inspired my best friend and me to join on a student program. Halfway through my senior year, I joined the Army and was subsequently deployed to Vietnam in 1971 for 12 months.

When I returned from Vietnam and was discharged from the Army, I attended the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) for a Master of Science in Nursing Degree on another Army Nurse Corps student program and “paid back” time via a two-year assignment at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu. In addition to my nursing duties, I was able to sit in on some medical school classes and also rounded with doctors. I realized I wanted to know more, do more with it, and have more to say regarding how patients were talked and listened to. I returned home to Arizona, completed the pre-requisite classes, and was accepted into medical school at UA College of Medicine – Tucson.  I completed an Internal Medicine residency at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson (UACOMT) and a three-year Cardiology Fellowship at the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center.  I returned to Scottsdale, Arizona (home) to practice community clinical cardiology. When the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix (UACOMP) enrolled students, I  presented clinical cardiology lectures. Over the next few years, I decreased my office practice and increased teaching . I am now retired but serve as Faculty Advisor to the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS), the Cardiovascular Interest Group, and the Military Medicine Interest Group at the UA-COMP. 

2. I found information online and heard from Dr. H-H that you started your career as a nurse in Vietnam and continued your training in medicine to become a cardiologist. Could you please share some career highlights that you are most proud of? 

While practicing cardiology, career highlights were taking care of patients with heart disease and hopefully doing a good job.  A similar highlight was true in teaching.  It was rewarding if I could explain a new concept or information clearly for students or lead them to a better understanding through Socratic questioning.

3. Can you share a success story or memorable experience from your work as a nurse in Vietnam?

In early December 1971 I cared for a patient that happened to be from Arizona.  He had a very serious gunshot wound to his head but “woke up” approximately one week after neurosurgery.  Over the next few weeks in the ICU his speech and memory returned as well as his strength so we were able to include him with wheelchair patients that attended the amazing Bob Hope Christmas Show.  One year later, I visited him at the Army Hospital in San Francisco where he was having reconstructive surgery and even later at a Phoenix Hospital for a final surgical revision.  It was very rewarding to be part of the team that contributed to his recovery -  the heroic field medics, the helicopter crew that bravely air-lifted him from combat, the surgeons, post-op nurses, and medics at the 24th Evac. Hospital, flight nurses to the USA, and rehabilitation doctors, nurses, and experts at “home.”

4.  I am deeply passionate about advancing women in medicine and science-related careers, and speaking to someone who embodies this passion, what advice would you give to women pursuing careers in these fields?

As a physician responsible for the care of another person, you must be knowledgeable and stay up-to-date. 

Advice for anyone entering the field of Medicine is to be your best – patients and their families are trusting you to be knowledgeable and up-to-date.  They are counting on you.  Patients and their families also want a caring and conscientious physician.  Treat your patients like you would want your family treated.

For Women In Medicine, you may encounter long hours at work as well as emotional situations that are very hard to leave at work.  Find ways to balance your personal and professional lives; look for support and enjoyment away from work from colleagues, family, or friends to work through emotional issues.

5. Lastly, regarding the amazing work that you are doing in the Gold Humanism Honors Society (GHHS), can you please explain:

A. What is the Gold Humanism Honors Society (GHHS) for those that may not know what it may be?

The GHHS is an Honor Society started at Columbia University by Dr. Arnold P. Gold in 2002. The GHHS recognizes excellence in compassionate care in medical students, residents, and faculty. 

B. What are your goals for the GHHS in the upcoming years at UACOMP?

The goals for GHHS at UACOMP would be to foster excellence in humanism. This is accomplished partly in Solidarity Week activities, by serving as a role model for other students, in publications and especially by practicing compassionate care.  GHHS focuses on enhancing a physician’s ability to be more aware and compassionate toward our patients. 

By: Dr. Elaine Niggemann & Himanshi Kapoor