Peer Perspectives: Megan Gunn, MD, MAUB, FACP

Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, General Internal Medicine and Public Health
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

Academic Hospitalist, Vanderbilt Interdisciplinary Team 
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

1. What is your current professional position?

I am an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Section of General Internal Medicine and Public Health at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. I practice as an academic hospitalist with the Vanderbilt Interdisciplinary Team, a team that cares for patients with complex chronic conditions across both inpatient and outpatient settings. I regularly work with residents and medical students on the teaching service and serve as core faculty for the Internal Medicine Residency Program. In addition, I am a small-group facilitator for first-year medical students, teaching clinical skills and systems-based practice.

2. Why did you choose internal medicine?

I entered medical school knowing I wanted to be an internal medicine physician. I am drawn to the breadth of pathophysiology encountered in internal medicine, as well as the opportunity to hear patients’ stories and understand how social factors intersect with and shape their health.

3. What trends are you seeing in your day-to-day practice (with patients, the health care system, or otherwise)?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the landscape of medicine, influencing both patient care and the education of future physicians. AI is increasingly integrated into clinical workflows, and I am particularly excited about its potential to assist hospitalists by streamlining routine tasks and supporting clinical documentation. In medical education, I am enthusiastic about AI’s ability to enhance the teaching of clinical reasoning and to identify gaps in learners’ knowledge and reasoning skills. At the same time, I remain mindful of the ethical challenges and potential biases in machine learning systems that must be addressed for AI to become a truly trusted partner in patient care.

4. What do you want to accomplish professionally within the next 5 years?

Over the next 5 years, I plan to continue practicing internal medicine while expanding my involvement in undergraduate and graduate medical education. I aim to develop curricula on health equity and complex care management.

5. Can you share a brief (and anonymous) patient encounter or professional situation that made you proud to be an internal medicine physician?

I worked with a patient who had a marginal ulcer and was being hospitalized almost weekly due to severe pain and malnutrition. Because of insurance barriers, she was initially unable to receive definitive surgical treatment. Through collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, we were able to identify a surgeon willing to take on her care. We also developed a structured care plan that included weekly clinic visits to help manage her symptoms and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations. As a result of these coordinated efforts, she was able to remain stable and ultimately undergo surgery. Following her treatment, she sent our team a letter expressing her gratitude.