Judong Pan, MD, PhD, on Teaching, Learning, and Giving Back at UCSF Imaging
Radiology may be practiced in quiet reading rooms, but its impact extends far beyond the screen for Judong Pan, MD, PhD. For the past eight years, Dr. Pan has volunteered his time and expertise at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), contributing to clinical training and patient care while staying deeply connected to the institution that helped start his career.
Dr. Pan, a musculoskeletal (MSK) radiologist in private practice, has volunteered as clinical faculty at UCSF since 2017. “I actually wish I had started volunteering earlier,” he admits. His inspiration to start volunteering? His mentors. “I was inspired by the UCSF alumni who volunteered and taught me when I was a resident,” shares Dr. Pan. “It was always fun to read with them and learn how they practice radiology in the real world.”
Volunteering has kept Dr. Pan connected to the UCSF community while allowing him to stay current in his field. “It provides opportunities to learn what’s going on in radiology and to meet trainees, residents, and fellows,” he explains. “I’ve made many new friends and expanded my professional network.”
When asked what stands out most from his time at UCSF, Dr. Pan didn’t hesitate: reading out cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was able to read out cases with fellows remotely from his home, witnessing firsthand how technology was shaping radiology, and more importantly, the resilience of the radiology community.
Dr. Pan’s contributions go beyond technical knowledge. He frequently gives career talks to MSK fellows and residents, sharing insights on job searches and career planning, topics that are often underrepresented in clinical training. “In return,” he adds, “I am able to learn the latest trends in the radiology job market. The trainees help me look at this important topic more thoroughly and more systematically.”
His advice for clinicians considering volunteer teaching roles is not to hesitate. “Just go for it,” he says. “Some benefits are obvious, and some you will only discover for yourself once you’ve started doing it.”
If there is one message Dr. Pan wants to leave with the UCSF community during National Volunteer Week, it’s this, “I encourage you to seriously consider giving back to the UCSF community as you begin your career. Especially during this time of a national shortage of physicians, your help will be valuable.”
Dr. Pan speaks with both humility and conviction. He has no plan to stop. “It’s a great experience,” he adds, “and I plan to keep doing it for a long time.”