Brooklyn gastroenterologist: Good listening skills make a doctor a better teacher, person

When I finished the training with Dr. Kodsi, he hired me as an associate director of the GI department at Maimonides. I became the program director, then division chief, then I became a director of advanced endoscopy. All these gastroenterology procedures started after 1975 while I was doing the training, so I was one of the pioneers to bring all this new technology to our hospital. I’m still involved in fellowship education.
 

Q: Can we talk more about your accomplishments? Perhaps you can discuss your AGA award and what you received it for.

Dr. Iswara: I’m humbled and honored by this role, and I’ll be forever grateful to AGA for this prestigious honor at the late stage of my career.

I have been a continuous AGA member for the last 45 years. I probably have one of the longest durations of being an actively practicing gastroenterologist in Brooklyn. I’ve also done academic work, teaching so many young gastroenterologists, motivating several of them to become leading gastroenterologists.
 

Q: If you could describe a scene of your vision for the future, what it would it be in terms of how gastroenterology is practiced?

Dr. Iswara: I’d like to see the newer generation practice more of a clinical medicine than technical medicine. Sometimes when I see the young people, they sit in front of the computer more than talking and touching the patient. There has to be some sort of a balance where the newer people should be taught more bedside personal care, touching the patient, looking at the patient’s face. They are kind of under pressure to write longer notes than to examine the patient, so I think this has to change.

Q: Describe how you would spend a free Saturday afternoon.

Dr. Iswara: When I was in the military, I was told that to prevent battle fatigue you had to take a rest. I really try to take a rest almost 2 hours every day in the daytime. This rejuvenates me.

We live in New York, and I love to go to shows, especially magic shows. I love magic and illusion. 

On free Saturday evenings, I also spend time with my grandchildren in the city, watching them in their baseball, soccer, swimming, and other activities. I love to spend time with them.
 

Lightning round

Texting or talking?
Texting

Favorite city in the U.S. besides the one you live?
Naples, Fla.

Favorite breakfast?
Pancakes

Dark Chocolate or milk chocolate?
Cadbury from England

Last movie you watched?
“To Sir, With Love”