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October 2010

Gregory Brisson, MD

  • Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine
  • College Mentor, FSM Class of 2011
  • Lead Mentor, Cooper Society, FSM
  • Graduated from NU Residency in ‘94,
  • has been a faculty member in General
  • Internal Medicine since then
  • click here to view pdf

 

Are you involved with teaching at Northwestern?

I serve as a college mentor in the medical school, which enables me to work with a group of medical students from the day they enter FSM through graduation day. It is a very rewarding part of my job. The students at FSM are fantastic and their enthusiasm for medicine is contagious. I think the best teachers genuinely care about their students- care that they learn the material as well as care that they have fun doing it.

 

“I am at my best when it is just me and the patient and I ask, 'So tell me why you are here today.'
Every encounter is a story.” 

 

Tell us more about your background.

I grew up in Grosse Ile, Michigan, outside of Detroit. I graduated from Notre Dame with a BA in English and then went to medical school at Wayne State University, in Detroit. I moved to Chicago for my residency in 1991. I still love Motown, but Detroit is a popular place to move from.

I almost became a high school English teacher. As a senior in college I applied for a spot as a teacher at a high school in the South Bronx, but I got the application in too late. That’s when I decided to give medical school a chance.

 

Where can we find you after hours?

I love urban biking- I have been riding my bike to work since I was a resident. After work I enjoy plays and alternative rock concerts. I play classical piano and performed at the wedding of Ben Singer last fall. I have a small cabin in Fennville, Michigan (aka: “Funville”) and escape there on weekends for boating, tennis, and long camp fires - sort of like summer camp for adults. I am a regular volunteer at CHC and also act as advisor to NU-AID, the student international health program.
 

 What is a must read for every medical trainee?
“Of Mice and Men,” by Steinbeck. Helps us understand the conflict between man’s innate desire to do good and his immense capacity for evil. Great book. And it’s short.