Alumna Shannon Lovett’s Journey from Medical Student to Emergency Medicine Chair
Alumna Shannon Lovett’s Journey from Medical Student to Emergency Medicine Chair
By Marena Keci
Shannon Lovett, MD, associate professor and department chair, Emergency Medicine, ignited her passion for medicine at a young age through her experiences in pediatrics and orthopedic offices. “I had a few sports-related injuries in high school, and at one point, my dream was to be the courtside physician at the U.S. Open,” she recalls. Her interest flourished through hospital volunteer opportunities, where she found the work both challenging and rewarding.
She attended Emory University in Atlanta, GA, where she played tennis and majored in mathematics while preparing for medical school. Following graduation, she worked as a research intern at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute.
When applying to medical schools, Stritch stood out for its strong reputation in education and patient care. “On my interview day, I felt a great sense of community. The students and faculty were engaged, dedicated to the mission, and just generally seemed balanced and happy,” she says.
Lovett pursued Emergency Medicine (EM) after being drawn to the fast-paced, high-stakes nature of acute and critical care. During medical school, she was eager to conduct evaluations in the Emergency Department during her Internal Medicine and Surgery rotations – taking any opportunity to be in the Emergency Department after her initial shadowing experiences and preceptorship.
Her time at Stritch profoundly shaped her as a physician and leader. “Not only did I feel well prepared for residency and my career as an attending, but I formed lifelong friendships with my classmates. I appreciated Stritch’s commitment to service and leadership, and I knew I wanted my career to be in a similar environment,” she says.
After residency at Advocate Christ Medical Center, she honed her skills in critical care, quality improvement, and leadership as an attending physician in Emergency Medicine at Loyola Medicine. In January 2024, she stepped into the role of Interim Chair of Emergency Medicine, transitioning to the permanent position in December 2024.
She credits her predecessors, including former chair Mark Cichon, DO, for inspiring her leadership path. “Our department is full of so many talented and engaged physicians. I was humbled at the opportunity to help support their interests and the growth of the department,” says Lovett.
As Chair, Lovett is focused on clinical excellence, faculty development, and research expansion. “We have a very robust and engaged quality program and will continue our focus on providing high-quality care and a culture of safety,” she noted. Lovett also prioritizes faculty and resident well-being, recognizing the challenges of working in a high-demand field.
Mentorship has been a cornerstone of Lovett’s career, both as a mentee and as a mentor. She credits Cichon and Trent Reed, DO, MSMEd, FACEP, professor, Emergency Medicine, as two of her most influential mentors. They have modeled the importance of listening, sharing challenges, and creating opportunities for others. Lovett finds great fulfillment in guiding medical students and residents. “Seeing former Stritch mentees and Loyola Emergency Medicine residents now taking leadership roles, publishing, or being highlighted as content experts makes me so proud,” she says.
Outside of work, Lovett recharges by spending time with her husband and three daughters. As an avid runner, she enjoys staying active and coaching her children’s teams.
Through her leadership, dedication, and mentorship, Lovett continues to shape the future of Emergency Medicine at Stritch, ensuring that the next generation of physicians carries forward the values of patient-centered care and excellence in medicine.
March 2025
By Marena Keci
Shannon Lovett, MD, associate professor and department chair, Emergency Medicine, ignited her passion for medicine at a young age through her experiences in pediatrics and orthopedic offices. “I had a few sports-related injuries in high school, and at one point, my dream was to be the courtside physician at the U.S. Open,” she recalls. Her interest flourished through hospital volunteer opportunities, where she found the work both challenging and rewarding.
She attended Emory University in Atlanta, GA, where she played tennis and majored in mathematics while preparing for medical school. Following graduation, she worked as a research intern at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute.
When applying to medical schools, Stritch stood out for its strong reputation in education and patient care. “On my interview day, I felt a great sense of community. The students and faculty were engaged, dedicated to the mission, and just generally seemed balanced and happy,” she says.
Lovett pursued Emergency Medicine (EM) after being drawn to the fast-paced, high-stakes nature of acute and critical care. During medical school, she was eager to conduct evaluations in the Emergency Department during her Internal Medicine and Surgery rotations – taking any opportunity to be in the Emergency Department after her initial shadowing experiences and preceptorship.
Her time at Stritch profoundly shaped her as a physician and leader. “Not only did I feel well prepared for residency and my career as an attending, but I formed lifelong friendships with my classmates. I appreciated Stritch’s commitment to service and leadership, and I knew I wanted my career to be in a similar environment,” she says.
After residency at Advocate Christ Medical Center, she honed her skills in critical care, quality improvement, and leadership as an attending physician in Emergency Medicine at Loyola Medicine. In January 2024, she stepped into the role of Interim Chair of Emergency Medicine, transitioning to the permanent position in December 2024.
She credits her predecessors, including former chair Mark Cichon, DO, for inspiring her leadership path. “Our department is full of so many talented and engaged physicians. I was humbled at the opportunity to help support their interests and the growth of the department,” says Lovett.
As Chair, Lovett is focused on clinical excellence, faculty development, and research expansion. “We have a very robust and engaged quality program and will continue our focus on providing high-quality care and a culture of safety,” she noted. Lovett also prioritizes faculty and resident well-being, recognizing the challenges of working in a high-demand field.
Mentorship has been a cornerstone of Lovett’s career, both as a mentee and as a mentor. She credits Cichon and Trent Reed, DO, MSMEd, FACEP, professor, Emergency Medicine, as two of her most influential mentors. They have modeled the importance of listening, sharing challenges, and creating opportunities for others. Lovett finds great fulfillment in guiding medical students and residents. “Seeing former Stritch mentees and Loyola Emergency Medicine residents now taking leadership roles, publishing, or being highlighted as content experts makes me so proud,” she says.
Outside of work, Lovett recharges by spending time with her husband and three daughters. As an avid runner, she enjoys staying active and coaching her children’s teams.
Through her leadership, dedication, and mentorship, Lovett continues to shape the future of Emergency Medicine at Stritch, ensuring that the next generation of physicians carries forward the values of patient-centered care and excellence in medicine.
March 2025