Dr. Christopher Schiavo

Dr. Christopher Schiavo

Boone Hospital Center Hospitalist

I grew up in Saint Louis, attended medical school at UMKC and completed my residency training at IUPUI in Indianapolis, Ind. I married my college sweetheart Kaitlin in 2015. In 2019, we moved to Columbia, my wife’s hometown, where I began working for Boone Hospital while my wife opened her own dermatology practice. We welcomed a new addition to our family in 2020 – our energetic and always curious son, Jax.

Why did you get into the health care field?

Beside always loving science and helping others, my volunteer experiences in a NICU unit during high school for the March of Dimes let me observe first-hand how doctors could positively impact patients and their families, which motivated me to pursue my career in medicine.

What interested you in your particular specialty?

I was interested in the variety that hospitalist medicine offers and the opportunity to work closely with other medical specialists. The patient mix is always different, so no two days are quite the same, and the work is always challenging, interesting and engaging.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

Being able to see the transformation of my patients throughout their stay is the most rewarding experience. When patients are first admitted to the hospital, they are often feeling unwell, scared and vulnerable. During this distressing time, patients place their trust in their physicians to take care of them. By treating the patient’s illness and providing compassionate care, it is remarkable to witness their improvement. And it is always wonderful to see patients returning home feeling well again.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

The lack of continuity can be challenging. While I enjoy the higher acuity that hospital medicine entails, I am envious of the primary care providers who have long term relationships with their patients. Since I only have the opportunity to take care of patients during their hospitalization, I often wonder how they are doing after they have left my care.

What advice would you give someone looking to become a doctor?

Pursue as many shadowing and volunteering opportunities as you can to gain insight into the medical eld. Medicine continues to evolve and become more specialized. It can seem daunting, but more exposure to the field may confirm your decision to become a doctor. While it takes many years and significant dedication to become a physician, it can be extraordinarily rewarding. If you have the interest and the ambition, never stop your pursuit.

What do you see changing in health care in the next five to 10 years?

I think it will be interesting to see how telemedicine evolves over the next several years. Physical exams are such a large component of medicine that I see limitations in its utility; however, we have had great experiences using telemedicine at Boone Hospital to provide specialty consultations with infectious disease physicians and psychiatrists. I anticipate telemedicine will bring more specialized services to patients who would otherwise not have access to them, which will be beneficial to the healthcare system.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

My wife and I love to cook and try new recipes together. is year, we’re also trying to plant some of our own vegetables in our backyard garden. We hope to be able to use some of the vegetables that we grow in our cooking! We also enjoy taking walks in the park with our favorite puppy, Marley.

What advice would you give to someone who is going to be a patient in a hospital for a period of time?

is year has been especially difficult for patients and their families. COVID-19 has brought visitation restrictions at most hospitals which have left many patients feeling isolated. If you ever feel lonely, do not hesitate to let us know. Your care team members will be happy to arrange a video or phone call for you to talk to your friends and family members. Most importantly, we will always be there to lend an ear and talk with you.