Dr. Daniel Beauchamp: Pediatric Society of Greater Dallas Award for Excellence in Pediatric Medicine
Dr. Daniel Beauchamp’s path to pediatrics followed a rather unconventional route, but in retrospect, made perfect sense. “My undergraduate training in electrical engineering has given me opportunities to participate in multiple imaging-related research projects, and I am excited to see how my electrical engineering background might fit into my future practice.” Dr. Beauchamp is the 2020 recipient of the Pediatric Society of Greater Dallas Award for Excellence in Pediatric Medicine.
What this award means: “I am very humbled and grateful to be given this award, since it represents patient-centered values that are critical to being a good doctor. I am eager and excited to start my pediatrics training, and I hope that I will always treat my patients and their families with the values this award represents.”
Mentor comment: “I think probably long before he ever decided to become an electrical engineering major, Daniel had a deep-rooted desire to simply understand things. We are just lucky that those interests eventually steered him toward the field of pediatric heart diseases. He is a humble, self-driven learner with boundless curiosity, and I have no doubt that he will be a superb physician.” – Dr. Soumya Adhikari, Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Background and family: “My wife, Terri, and I have a baby daughter, Hannah. Terri and I are both from Alabama originally. My dad is a general internist and runs a solo practice in my hometown.”
What led to your career path: “My initial exposure to medicine was through my father. However, my decision to pursue medicine as a career was not cemented until college, as I volunteered heavily at a local low-cost clinic and spent time shadowing various specialties.”
College: “I graduated summa cum laude from Auburn University. During college, I participated in MRI research, played piano for the college worship team at my church, volunteered as a tutor/mentor for local students, and worked as an orientation counselor for international students. I was selected by faculty as the 2016 Outstanding Student in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and I was a member of several honor societies.”
UTSW activities: “I am involved in Southwestern Christian Fellowship (SCF), and I went on two SCF spring break mission trips to El Paso. I have participated in research in the departments of Radiology, Pediatric Cardiology, and Pathology. I have tutored students on campus, and I led an Alpha Omega Alpha committee called Step Up to Integrated Medicine, which hosted monthly case discussion sessions for first-semester medical students.”
Surprising fact: “I had never been to Texas prior to my interview at UT Southwestern; however, I do have a personal connection to Texas history. My mom’s side of the family is allegedly related to William Travis from the Alamo.”
Future plans: “I will be starting my pediatrics residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center this summer. After residency, I plan to specialize in pediatric cardiology. I love the complexities of congenital cardiology, and the opportunities this field provides to work with sick kids and their families as they try to navigate the many anxieties associated with a congenital cardiac diagnosis.”
About the award: The award recognizes an outstanding graduate who has the personal character and dedication to serve, as well as be an advocate for, children.