What is your role in the Department of Internal Medicine?
I am the program coordinator for the Yale Affiliated Hospitals Program. My program supports and coordinates more than 700 lectures annually, split between nine of our southern Connecticut hospitals. I also oversee around 170 residents from these sites annually and help coordinate two-week electives in our Internal Medicine Electives Program.
Why did you decide to work at Yale School of Medicine (YSM)?
I first heard about YSM through a close friend of mine. She told me how she made a difference in people’s lives and about the rewarding stories of other employees who worked at YSM. I wanted to work at YSM as well.
I started out as a medical assistant, working directly with patients and faculty at YSM. After a few years, I moved up to a program coordinator position on the academic side. Now, I help educate future attendings as they learn and grow from PGY1s to PGY3s and advance their careers. It is very rewarding.
How did you become interested in your line of work?
I first heard about my position through a colleague. She knew the program needed an organized, helpful, creative, and responsible person. I knew that I wanted the role the moment I heard that I would be a key part of the education of future physicians. It’s a unique program and a unique position.
Have you been involved in any projects you are particularly proud of?
We completely revamped the program in the winter of 2020, when the pandemic hit. I was only three months into the position and had to take what I knew—which was very little at the time—and convert the whole lecture program into a virtual model while teaching staff to navigate Zoom. During that process, I reorganized and coordinated electives, which was a big responsibility with all the fast-changing mandates. Being able to do that is one of my proudest moments.
What is the most rewarding part of your career?
It’s rewarding to help future physicians grow their careers. Each year, I help about 150-170 residents get the lectures and experiences they need to advance to the next stages of becoming an attending. I also help them get into electives that they may specialize in later in their careers. It’s sometimes surreal to think that the residents I have helped over the years are all over the country and that I had a hand in getting them where they are today.
What do you enjoy about working at Yale?
Working at Yale has been a series of great opportunities and experiences. In each position I have held, there have always been friendly faces and people who were rooting for me to do better and be better. Yale is a great place to grow and watch your wings spread as you do.
What is your favorite pastime?
One of my favorite pastimes is working out. I know that sounds cliché, but it leaves me energized and ready to start my day and helps me decompress at the end of the day.
Tell us one piece of advice you will never forget.
One piece of advice I will never forget is to always advocate, whether it’s for a patient, physician, fellow, family, or yourself. Trust your instincts to help guide you.
The Department of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine is among the nation's premier departments, bringing together an elite cadre of clinicians, investigators, educators, and staff in one of the world's top medical schools. To learn more, visit Internal Medicine.