Alumni
Profiles of Success
William Engle M.D.
Erik T. Ragan Professor of Pediatrics
Clinical Director, Neonatal Intensive Care
Indiana University Hospitals
“Taking care of babies and families in the newborn ICU at several of the IU School of Medicine associated hospitals is the most rewarding opportunity that I can think of,” states William Engle. Growing up in a family with a history of illness and a mother who was a nurse had a great impact on William’s decision to become a doctor. With siblings eighteen and twenty years younger than he, he also found that he enjoyed children and chose to pursue pediatrics.
Knowing that a background in biology was important to a medical education, William enrolled in the program at Purdue. Graduating from the university with High Distinction, William was accepted into the Indiana University School of Medicine. After earning his M.D. in 1979, he undertook a residency in Pediatrics at James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Indiana, and in 1981 was named Chief Resident in Pediatrics. In 1982 he was accepted into a fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine there, and two years later he was appointed to the faculty at the Indiana University School of Medicine. “In addition to caring for babies and families, I have been privileged and pleased to teach medical students, residents and fellows and participate in an exciting, challenging and supportive research environment,” comments William.
Today William serves as Clinical Director of Neonatal Intensive Care at Riley Hospital. “Five to ten percent of newborn infants require medical care during the initial days following delivery,” explains William. “The newly born infants with whom I work may be premature or have problems that include respiratory or cardiac failure, congenital anomalies, congenital heart disease, infections, jaundice and unusual metabolic or genetic disorders.” In his position, William determines diagnostic and therapeutic plans for these infants, as well as provides expertise in managing life support for those infants who are critically ill. His position further involves educating parents and family members, as well as providing them emotional support. “Most of the children have potentially life-threatening or disabling conditions,” William continues. “Fortunately, most do well in future life.”
In his position at Riley, William also serves as co-director of the ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) program with Karen W. West, MD, another Purdue graduate. ECMO is the temporary use of cardiopulmonary bypass to support the lives of newly born infants with potentially reversible life-threatening breathing or cardiac disorders. This invasive technology requires a team made up of physicians, nurses, respiratory care clinicians, social workers, and others. “Because of the invasiveness of providing heart-lung bypass therapy for days to weeks, this therapy is reserved for the most critically ill babies and young infants who have potentially correctable illnesses,” he explains. As co-director of this program, William also assists the ECMO coordinator with teaching the staff how to perform the procedure, as well as in monitoring the outcomes and updating the program each year through continuing education programs. Since its beginning in 1987, the ECMO program has treated over 400 patients with very positive survival outcomes.
William has been the recipient of many honors for his work. In 1997 Indiana University honored him with the Teaching Excellence Recognition Award and the following year named him an Erik T. Ragan Professor of Pediatrics. He has also recently received the American Academy of Pediatrics Appreciation of Outstanding Leadership and Dedicated Service for the Children of Indiana, for which he was recognized from 1996-1999.
“Biology is helpful as a foundation for those interested in medicine, research, and education,” states William. He advises students to set their career goals as early as possible. “’Goal determination’ early in the college career allows students to determine a more specific ‘plan’ on how to achieve the goals,” he states. Experiences outside of the classroom can also be beneficial to a student’s future. Work experience in health care or service areas can be very helpful, as well as volunteer work that demonstrates a service initiative and philosophy. Involvement in volunteer and professional organizations or with program development can enhance leadership skills, and finally, conducting research allows students to gain more intimate experience with the scientific process that leads to medical advancements.
William is very passionate about his career. “I am privileged to participate in remarkable success stories every day, observe the amazing capacity of parents to balance grief about their baby’s illness and joy with the smallest clinical improvements and work with phenomenal caregiving staff and physician colleagues,” he remarks. “It is truly a joy to come to Riley Hospital when I know that I am working with such a remarkable group of caring individuals dedicated to helping sick newborns and their parents, I have been privileged and blessed in my role as an academic neonatologist!”