FTG 0041 – A Beautiful Day to Save Lives with Piedmont Transplant Institute Director Dr. Eric Gibney ’94

Overview:

Dr. Eric Gibney joins Following the Gong to discuss careers in medicine and organ transplant science and care. Dr. Gibney graduated from the Eberly College of Science in 1994 with a BS in Biology and with Honors in Nutrition and then earned his Doctor of Medicine from the Emory University School of Medicine in 1998. He now serves as the Director of the Piedmont Transplant Institute in Atlanta, where specializes in internal medicine with a focus on nephrology and transplant care with a special emphasis on kidney transplants. Eric shares his experiences at Penn State including Lion Ambassadors, life guarding, and the Disney College Program before turning his attention to giving insights on med school and mentorship. He also shares an overview of the transplant process – making this episode of interest to any Scholar and not just those interested in healthcare. Eric’s full bio and a detailed list of topics are available below.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Eric M. Gibney ’94 Science is a Program Director for the Piedmont Transplant Institute in Atlanta GA. He is a transplant nephrologist who specializes in kidney diseases and transplantation. Dr. Gibney's special interests include living kidney donation, transplant outreach, kidney disease in patients with liver disease, transplantation in HIV and clinical immunosuppression. He has also served as President of the Piedmont Atlanta Medical Staff with interests in patient safety and physician engagement. Prior to joining Piedmont Transplant Institute, Dr. Gibney was a transplant nephrologist with the Division of Nephrology at the Hume-Lee Transplant Center at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Gibney earned a BS in Biology with Honors in Nutrition from Penn State in 1994 and received his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine in 1998. He completed his residency at New York University School of Medicine where he was also chief medical resident. He then completed a fellowship in nephrology and transplant nephrology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. Dr. Gibney is board certified in internal medicine and nephrology and has been published in numerous medical journals.

Episode Topics:

· Inspiration to attend Penn State for the big school advantages and the Honors College for the small school community

· Choosing a career in medicine from high school experiences

· Being involved on campus from Lion Ambassadors to lifeguarding & IM sports and even the Disney College Program

· Completing a thesis outside your major

· Perspectives on med school applications, finding fit, and “enjoying where you are” in med school

· Thoughts on the final year at Penn State and final year of med school

· Picking a specific discipline within medicine

· Healthcare leadership and management

· A very general overview of kidney diseases, nephrology, and the transplant process (not a formal medical opinion – please consult your physician if needed)

· The impact of the pandemic on transplant programs and patients

· Finding wellness as a medical professional

· Mentorship as a medical student and professional