What's On Dr. Shelby Hahn's Desk?

Dr. Shelby Hahn serves as Program Director of Family Medicine Residency Program, where he helps train physicians through CoxHealth’s residency program. In his daily life, Hahn searches for “reminders to do well and be well,” and every item in his office was placed there for a reason.

Lego Disney and Pixar Up House

As a lifelong Lego-lover, Hahn confesses that he has way too many Legos at his house and that his basement is filled with them. The few that he displays in his office are especially important to him. Whimsical and fantastical, the Up house reminds Hahn to dream big despite negativity. “It’s never too late to dream big,” he says. The bright, joyful colors of the set pop and add a burst of happiness to his office. The big dreams it inspires in Hahn are his passion for traveling and his plans to improve affordable housing and hospice care throughout the 417 area. 

Lego Lake Town

Hahn’s favorite Lego set in his office represents a scene from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and serves as a reminder of how to lead with honor and love through service. “Bard is a reluctant leader, but he is appointed and loves and serves well,” Hahn says. “They’re reminders to me that we have this tendency toward one type of leadership, but a real leader is a servant.” 

Handmade Bookends

One of Hahn’s hobbies outside of work is woodworking. He has created two bookends that represent a relationship between him and one of his patients who suffered from osteogenesis imperfecta. The patient has died, but Hahn continues to cherish and honor him in his heart. “He was one of those guys who had a long-lasting impact on me,” Hahn says. “He told me one time that the pieces of me put back together are better than any whole I could ever imagine.”

Historic Signed Books

Many signed historic books line his shelves, and Hahn speaks of them with fondness. If he had to pick a favorite it would be From a Surgeon’s Journal by Harvey Cushing—the man who pioneered neurosurgery. Hahn is fascinated with the fact that these men lived centuries ago, but at some point they held Hahn’s books in their hands. “That’s why all the books I have are signed and important to me,” he says.

Arkansas Razorback Trinkets

A large photo of the University of Arkansas football field adorns Hahn’s wall. He graduated from the university and cherishes the time he poured into his academic years. He was the first person in his family to take a traditional route into university. “That was important to my mom,” he says. He loves the football and basketball teams, which is evident in the signed helmets, signed football and small Arkansas trinkets that decorate his shelves.