March 2010
Sean McCarthy, MD
- Elected to AOA in medical school
- Received Saylor Memorial Award for Cardiology Research, Ohio State University
- Northwestern Resident Teaching Award, 05/09
What is the most interesting aspect of Internal Medicine?
I love Internal Medicine for the variety of illnesses we encounter every day. I sought out a career in Internal Medicine because I watched Internists in medical school approach any patient and have a good understanding about presentation and management. I have chosen to subspecialize in Gastroenterology for similar reasons. Gastroenterologists are able to care for a wide variety of patients—from patients with cirrhosis and infections to IBS to IBD—as well as a broad variety of care settings -- from the Intensive Care unit to outpatient clinics. I am excited to learn diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as well as utilize my skills as an Internist to care for the whole patient.
Where to you see yourself in 5 and 10 years?
I hope to be practicing at a large academic center as a clinical researcher in gastroenterology. I enjoy being surrounded by bright, inspirational colleagues as I believe this pushes us to excel beyond what we may be capable of on our own.
Where can we find you after work?
I am an avid college football fan, and my life revolves around the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. I have started to train as a runner, and hope to build up my endurance for some long races in Chicago this summer. But most of my time is spent with my fantastic wife, Megan. We like to go out with friends, eat good food and travel—especially to warm places during a Chicago winter. I still enjoy the Lincoln Park Zoo when the weather is nice. And you can't forget about dollar burger night at Bar Louie.
I am the youngest of four siblings and grew up in Eastlake, Ohio. When I was young, my family had season tickets to the Cleveland Browns before they moved to Baltimore—so I learned the pain of a broken heart at an early age. I am very close to my two sisters and my brother, and I love spending time with them and their kids. I went to the University of Notre Dame and then on to medical school at Ohio State.
Who are your mentors at NU?
I have been fortunate to work with Dr. John Pandolfino during residency, studying esophageal motility and physiology. This has been an immensely satisfying and productive endeavor. I learned skills in the manometry lab that are clinically applicable for a GI career as well as learned more about clinical research. Dr. Pandolfino has taught me how to see a clinical problem and develop ways to assess how it is managed and if there are ways to improve upon our care for patients with these problems.
