Meet our Board: Edward C. Chao, DO

We continue the Meet our Board series with Dr. Chao. Over the coming months the series will introduce you to our Endocrinology Network board.

1. Please state your name, title, and the organization you work for.

Edward Chao, DO, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Diego. I work for both the VA San Diego and UCSD.

2. Why did you choose your profession?

I was inspired by both the patients I worked with while I was a resident, and my research mentors, Dr. Scott Lee and Dr. Robert Henry. They're both enthusiastic teachers who ask thought-provoking questions.

3. What is the most rewarding part of your practice?

I enjoy being able to combine seeing patients, teaching, and conducting research.

4. What is the most challenging part of your practice?

Juggling all 3 of the above, and navigating through the red tape - such as formulary restrictions.

5. What one thing would you like to see change in your field?

We need to continue to improve our efforts toward preventing diabetes, and overcoming clinical inertia.

6. What is the best piece of career advice you received?

Dr. Henry once told me as I was preparing for a presentation with a very large audience, "No matter how many people you're giving a talk to, it's just a conversation."

7. How do you picture the future of endocrinology?

While we must continue working to stem the alarming increase in individuals who are diagnosed with diabetes, I'm optimistic about the future - there are multiple potential advances in therapeutics.

8. What do you most enjoy doing when you’re not working? [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_crop","fid":"46061","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image media-image-right","id":"media_crop_1270982518341","media_crop_h":"314","media_crop_image_style":"-1","media_crop_instance":"5318","media_crop_rotate":"0","media_crop_scale_h":"0","media_crop_scale_w":"0","media_crop_w":"209","media_crop_x":"53","media_crop_y":"36","style":"height: 300px; width: 200px; float: right;","title":" Dr. Chao on vacation in Montreal.","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]

Spending time with my wife and 2 children, dancing, writing, and traveling.