Meet Louis Levine, from Brookfield, Connecticut. He attended Penn State College of Medicine, and is a PGY-1 in the Traditional Internal Medicine Residency Program.
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What led you to pursue a career in medicine?
As the only doctor in my family, I was not drawn to medicine until medicine found me. I was diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) at age 12 and since then, I have been set on a path to treat other patients with chronic illness like myself. I discovered during my early education that what I thought would be a personal obstacle in life, is actually a special tool that I can use to empathize with patients. By choosing a career in medicine, I feel that I am able to use own vulnerability to help and motivate others during difficult times.
What are your goals after you complete residency? Where do you see yourself?
Being from Connecticut originally, my hope is to stay near family. My eyes are open to all of the sub-specialties in internal medicine, but my passion has naturally always been with Gastroenterology. My hope is to stay in academia to have a career that combines medical education, clinical care of IBD patients, and research in IBD.
Why did you choose Yale IMed for your residency?
Yale's residency combines elements of a program that were critical to me: medical education, research, superb clinical care, and, perhaps above all, a community. From the moment I stepped on campus for my interview day, I knew Yale was the place for me. The warmth of the community does not stop on interview day—every day, I have the honor to work with colleagues throughout the hospital who directly and indirectly enhance my growth as a young physician.
Describe your experience at Yale IMed in 3 words.
Fun, supportive, collaborative
What is your fondest memory at Yale thus far?
The trip to the beautiful Watch Hill beaches in Rhode Island on a day off with a few of the co-residents!
Who has had the greatest influence on you, and why?
I think my parents have had the greatest influence on me. My mother is a labor and delivery nurse of over 30 years whose compassion and bedside manner stand the test of time. My hope is to gain even a fraction of that skill in my own career. And my father, whose love for his family above all, has influenced me to try to put the needs of others above oneself.
If you could say anything to your younger self, what would you say?
It will all work out, I promise.
What's a fun fact about you?
I sang in a classic rock a cappella group in college!
What is one piece of advice you'd give someone who is applying for residency?
Above all, choose the place that "feels" right. Every institution will have nuances to their rotation schedules, core educational curriculum, and the like. My biggest piece of advice would be to focus on aspects of programs beyond the foundation—namely, the people, the environment, and the culture. These are what will make you happy during residency.
What have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments since the beginning of the pandemic?
Matching at Yale and graduating medical school were my biggest accomplishments since the beginning of the pandemic. The biggest challenge was how it was difficult to actually celebrate these milestones. It was also a challenge to meet new friends in residency during a pandemic. Still, our program found ways to make this happen, like the small group New Haven pizza dinners in the park with our phenomenal program director, Dr. Siegel.
The Department of Internal Medicine at Yale is among the nation's premier departments, bringing together an elite cadre of clinicians, investigators and educators in one of the world's top medical schools. To learn more, visit Internal Medicine.