Dr. Moyez Ladhani has an equal passion for both the practice of pediatrics and the nurturing of aspiring pediatricians. As a Consultant General Pediatrician practicing in two separate clinics and a former professor at the prestigious McMaster University Medical School in Hamilton, Ontario, Dr. Ladhani has spent his professional life combining clinical expertise with a genuine belief in the power of knowledge.
Dr. Ladhani has made a substantial contribution to shaping the next generation of pediatricians. His career accolades include the Program Director of the Year Award from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and the Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching from McMaster University’s Faculty of Health Sciences.
It was our pleasure to speak with Dr. Moyez Ladhani as he took a thoughtful look back on his distinguished career.
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Q: Over your career, how has your experience in clinical practice shaped your approach to teaching?
Dr. Moyez Ladhani: I would say one informs the other and vice-versa. What the students needed most was first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to treat a patient, so offering my insights from doing that for so many years was useful to them. On the other side of things, having an academic background helped me out in my clinical practice because it required me to stay up-to-date on the best practices, latest research, and newest technologies and techniques in pediatric medicine, which I then used to treat my patients more effectively.
Q: Reflecting on your mentorship experiences, what do you think is the most rewarding aspect of guiding the next generation of physicians?
Dr. Moyez Ladhani: I think about the careers that the hundreds of medical grads and young doctors have gone on to have, and the amount of children that will benefit from their care and expertise. When you do the math, it’s kind of staggering, and it’s humbling to reflect on the impact of our approach to medical education. We’re part of a long tradition of passing on and building on medical knowledge to benefit future generations. It’s rewarding to see it in practice.
Q: What are the most significant changes within pediatric medicine you’ve noticed over the duration of your career?
Dr. Moyez Ladhani: There have been many advancements in children’s medicine since I graduated from medical school and began practicing. Some of the more impactful ones would be the development of new vaccines for diseases that once caused significant morbidity and mortality, as well as the increased understanding of mental health issues in children. But, in all honesty, the change I’ve noticed the most over the past few years is the encroachment of screen time into the lives of virtually all children. Beginning in the mid-2000s and early 2010s, the amount of time children tend to spend in front of screens has skyrocketed. This can lead to reduced physical activity and disrupted sleep patterns. In extreme cases, it can negatively affect kids’ cognitive and emotional development. I always counsel parents to monitor screen time closely and limit it to educational programming, as this at least helps children engage with content that supports their development while minimizing harmful effects.
Q: What are the key qualities you believe are essential for someone pursuing a career in pediatrics?
Dr. Moyez Ladhani: Empathy, strong communication skills, and resilience are the qualities I believe are the most important. Empathy because, as a pediatrician, you must understand the emotional and physical challenges that children and their families face when tackling medical issues. It can be stressful and frustrating for parents when they’re trying to understand what’s wrong with their children, and they have a hard time communicating the exact symptoms. So strong communication skills are necessary to build trust and understand what’s wrong and how best to treat it. Those skills are also helpful in explaining complicated medical concepts in a way that both parents and children can understand. Finally, it’s an emotionally demanding field, and resilience is vital. It requires the ability to cope with the ups and downs of patient care, especially when things don’t turn out for the best. Ultimately though, a passion for working with children and a commitment to their well-being are what sets successful pediatricians apart.
Q: Reflecting on your career, what moments or achievements stand out to you as particularly meaningful?
Dr. Moyez Ladhani: One of the achievements of which I am most proud was when, as Program Director of Pediatric Postgraduate Medical Education at McMaster University, I completed a comprehensive overhaul of the residency curriculum, including developing new assessment methods and implementing innovative teaching strategies. The work I did was recognized with an award from the university, but it’s mainly satisfying to know that the program will continue to further the education of physicians for years to come.
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