Vanderbilt University Medical Center hospitalist Paul Parisot III, MD, is the son of two broadcast journalists, and as he watched them at work while growing up, he fell in love with the art of storytelling. He also developed a passion for science and decided that becoming a physician would be the perfect way to combine the two.
“In medicine, you’re learning a patient’s story to help you understand what’s going on with their disease and getting to know them as an individual so you can help them make decisions about their life,” he said.
Parisot’s dedication to learning patients’ stories and collaborating with nurses and other providers on 6 Round Wing, the Adult Acute Care Medicine Unit, to provide the best care earned him a Credo Award. The honor was presented to him during the May VUMC Leadership Assembly.
Randy Brunell, RN, and Kelli Roncolato, RN, assistant nurse manager on his unit, gave an example of Parisot’s dedication when medications for a soon-to-be discharged patient were delayed. Because the patient had difficulty walking and his ride was waiting, Parisot made a mad dash to the Medical Center East pharmacy to pick them up. Parisot discovered the patient’s driver’s license was required, so he raced back to Medical Center North, then returned to the pharmacy. The grateful patient soon headed home.
“We have rarely seen a provider take such personal responsibility for their patients, and it is truly inspiring to all of our staff and encourages us to show up that much more in our own care,” Brunell and Roncolato shared in the nomination. “Dr. Parisot goes above and beyond the call of duty every single day, and he deserves the highest recognition for his endless effort, dedication and thoughtful approach to the care of his patients.”
Russell Ledford, MD, director of the Section of Hospital Medicine, agreed.
“He frequently visits his patients in the afternoon to ensure they are aware of the plan of care and to answer any lingering questions from morning rounds,” he said. “He knows when to ask for help from consultants and has maintained a level of professionalism in his role that is rare. … Generous, kind, smart and selfless are just a few of the words I would use to describe Dr. Parisot.”
The ability to care for a wide spectrum of patients with complex conditions while developing true, personal connections with them is what Parisot loves most about hospital medicine.
His residency at VUMC began during the pandemic in July 2020 when there were many unknowns about the coronavirus. Parisot remembered caring for a man who became ill enough with COVID-19 to require prolonged ICU care.
“This was during a time when you couldn’t have family members there,” Parisot remembered. “He was extremely sick, and we were limited in what we could offer him. But I got to sit with him and get to know him really well. I learned that he was very goal oriented. On my last day with him, I wrote on his whiteboard, ‘Home by Christmas.’”
Ten days later, Parisot was thrilled to learn the man had recovered enough to transfer out of the ICU. He rejoined the man’s care team before he was discharged. His patient told him reading Parisot’s encouraging words every day motivated him to keep fighting for his life.
But their story didn’t end there. Four years later, Parisot learned his former patient had been hospitalized at the Nashville VA Medical Center. He was in his final days of life.
Parisot went to visit him and listened to him talk about everything he’d been able to enjoy during those years with family and friends. He heard about his excitement watching his beloved Kansas City Chiefs win two Super Bowls.
“This is why I do what I do,” Parisot said. “In hospital medicine, you’re dealing with people who are at their worst from a health standpoint. You might be their doctor for a short period of time, but you have an opportunity to really make a significant impact on their lives.”
Away from VUMC, Parisot and his wife Sarah Pavelka, RD, LD, CNSC, a VUMC dietitian, recently welcomed their first child, a son. So, while he enjoys hitting local golf links for stress relief, he’s more likely now to be spotted pushing a stroller on a long walk with his family.
View Paul Parisot’s video from Leadership Assembly.
If you are a VUMC employee, you can nominate a colleague for an Elevate Credo Award, Five Pillar Leader Award, or Team Award. Visit the Elevate website to fill out a nomination form. Employees demonstrate credo behaviors when: they make those they serve the highest priority; respect privacy and confidentiality; communicate effectively; conduct themselves professionally; have a sense of ownership; and are committed to their colleagues. Elevate award nominations are accepted year-round. If a nomination is received after the cutoff for an award selection period, the nomination will be considered for the next period. VUMC VOICE will post stories on each of the award winners in the weeks following their announcement.
