“Where Can I Do the Most Good?”

On April 21, 2026, our Conversations in Health: Local to Global class had the opportunity to hear from Norman J. Beauchamp, M.D., the executive vice president for health sciences and dean of the School of Medicine at Georgetown University. The discussion began with Dr. Beauchamp sharing his journey, from childhood to his current professional career. This was followed by a Q&A session, where students were able to ask specific questions about his experiences and perspectives on medicine and leadership.

Dr. Beauchamp briefly reflected on his path into the medical field, emphasizing that his career was not defined by a single trajectory, but rather by continuous learning and adaptation. While he faced some initial academic struggles, his later success reinforced his belief that growth comes from persistence and willingness to seek support when needed. He also highlighted that his career decisions, whether in clinical work, research, or leadership, were consistently guided by his desire to have the greatest possible impact on patients and communities. In his words, “Where can I do the most good?”

A major theme of Dr. Beauchamp’s talk was self-improvement. 

He described approaching life as a “gap analysis,” constantly evaluating where he is, where he wants to be, and how he can learn from others. This mindset was central to his advice on establishing interdisciplinary partnerships as a student. He discussed how important it was to seek mentors, understand what motivates them, and build connections from there. He also emphasized the importance of not basing one’s self-worth on academic performance but instead viewing challenges as opportunities for growth. For students, this means being willing to ask for help, stay persistent, and remain open to new paths and ideas.

An equally important theme during the discussion was his philosophy on improving the lives of others. Dr. Beauchamp believes patient-centered care should be grounded in empathy and compassion. Medicine should not be based on a mindset of moving from patient to patient, but rather an intentional effort to understand each individual and what is best for them. He highlighted the importance of taking the time to do the right thing, even when it is difficult, and maintaining a human connection in clinical practice.

These ideas ultimately construct his perspective on making a difference in the world: improving health care starts with improving oneself. His commitment to growth, reflection, and collaboration enables him to better serve patients and lead larger systems of care. He also emphasized that being faced with problems should encourage us to consider new approaches, rather than giving in to current limitations.

Looking ahead, Dr. Beauchamp expressed optimism about the future of medicine. He stressed that even small actions can make a difference, and that higher education plays a critical role in expanding access to knowledge and opportunity. He also emphasized that a larger integration across disciplines will be monumental to improving care. This can come from bringing together medicine, policy, technology, and community perspectives. Overall, his message reinforced that meaningful change in healthcare comes from both individual growth and collective effort.

Caroline Largen (H’29) is an undergraduate studying pre-medicine at Georgetown University.