Tyrone G. Bristol, M.D., F.A.A.P., C.P.E., M.P.H.’07

Caring for the Community

By Carol Olechowski

Since joining Shanghai United Family Hospitals and Clinics (SHU) staff as chief medical officer in December 2008, pediatrician Tyrone Bristol has had ample opportunity to incorporate into his practice “preventative healthcare for the community, which I learned while getting my M.P.H. at UAlbany.”

The past four years “have gone by quite rapidly” for the School of Public Health alumnus, who earned undergraduate and M.D. degrees from Cornell University and Albany Medical College, respectively. “In addition to enhancing SHU standards with guidelines and policies, we’ve expanded healthcare services, such as diabetes and respiratory care, smoking cessation, sports medicine and adolescent care. We now have a consistent internal medical-education program for our staff and a significant outreach program to help educate our community on such topics as the dangers of lead poisoning and poor air quality. I’ve been able to continue one of my professional passions: educating teenagers and parents about teen health risks, including the use of alcohol and other drugs, and unhealthy sexual behaviors.

“Our staff and organization continue to grow, with new hospitals and clinic projects. We are proud to have been reaccredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) in 2011 for another three years. We still have many goals for the Shanghai organization, and I look forward to being part of it.”

Even as Bristol’s hospital-administrator role has expanded, “I’ve been able to build a pediatric practice in the very limited amount of time I have to see patients. I’ve learned many cultural and ethnic nuances of providing healthcare to kids from all over the world. I’ve had weekly Mandarin lessons since February 2009; I just started learning some medical Mandarin, and also how to write the characters. Personally, I was happy to become a Certified Physician Executive (CPE) in March.”

Life hasn’t been all work and no play for the Guyana-born Bristol, who immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager: “I continue to enjoy traveling and exploring other parts of Asia, such as Japan, Korea and Thailand.”