Aperture
As part of the celebration commemorating 100 Years of Women at YSM in 2018, the school commissioned photographer Robert Lisak, MFA’81, to produce a series of photographic portraits of remarkable and accomplished faculty. These portraits formed the basis for Aperture 1, the first rotating exhibit sponsored by the YSM Program for Art in Public Spaces, which opened in March 2020. The photography exhibit is now in its fourth rotation, with more than a hundred faculty photographed and displayed on the second floor of Sterling Hall of Medicine (SHM) and on this page. The exhibit honors the women for their time and contributions to Yale, whether they have left or are still here.
Aperture refers to a space or gap, signifying the scarcity of women on the walls of SHM. In photography, aperture is also the size of the opening in the lens through which light passes. Its use here represents the casting of light in the form of the public eye that in this exhibit is directed toward recognizing and celebrating women faculty in medicine, who have long been cast in the shadows.
A, B, C
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Ameen “I am a foreign-trained medical school graduate who came to the U.S. seeking professional advancement. I would advise my younger self to return to my country of origin (Trinidad and Tobago) early after training; develop a professional network, mentors, and community; and live a balanced life and contribute to the development of my country. My advice to the women of the next generation: identify something that you are passionate about and work hard to build a legacy around that. Family and personal life are equally important for success. My sister was my mentor and best friend. I followed her path in medicine.”
Nadia Ameen, MBBSProfessor of Pediatrics (Gastroenterology) andof Cellular and Molecular PhysiologyAngoff “I am blessed. I never knew that I could be a physician who could enter patients’ stories and affect them. I never knew I could help medical students achieve their goals and dreams. I never knew that I could achieve my goals and dreams. Younger self, believe in you, fantasize about your future and find the people in your life who believe in you and help you believe that your fantasies may be your reality.”Nancy Angoff, MD ’90, MPH ’91, MEdAssociate Professor of Medicine (General Medicine)Associate Dean for Student AffairsBaserga “I am the first woman graduate of Yale College to be tenured in the biological sciences in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Yale. I chose to be a scientist out of boundless curiosity. If I could offer advice to my younger self, I would say “don’t worry.” My advice to the next generation is to ignore the naysayers.”
Susan Baserga, MD-PhD ’88Professor of Molecular Biophysics andBiochemistry, of Genetics and of TherapeuticRadiologyBelfort “I decided to be a physician in my early childhood. I was fascinated by the possibility of a career dedicated to helping other people and understanding the human body and how it is all integrated to work like a perfect symphony. Medicine was a way to bring this balance back to normal when something was out of sync. I would tell my younger self to focus on the big picture and the things you want to accomplish instead of the petty issues. You cannot control everything in your life, but do everything with passion and enjoy the trip.”
Renata Belfort De Aguiar, MD, PhDAssistant Professor of Medicine(Endocrinology)Bhattacharyya “Experiments will fail, papers will get rejected, and grants may go unfunded — these do not define you as a scientist. Trust your curiosity, follow bold questions, and keep moving forward. Discoveries take years to unfold.
Any profession, but especially science, will present its own set of hurdles. A path of discovery is often uncharted and does not come with a map – making every breakthrough impossible until someone proves otherwise. Let your curiosity speak louder than doubt, and your persistence rise higher than the hurdles. Women before us opened doors, and it’s our turn to hold the door wide open for those who follow.”
Moitrayee Bhattacharyya, PhD
Assistant Professor of PharmacologyBia “I am glad for women entering the medicine field today. When I entered medicine decades ago, it was truly a man’s world. I was the only woman in my residency years at Penn and during the first part of my career in the Nephrology Section at Yale. Although we have much more progress to make in placing women into leadership roles, the environment is so much better now with more women. The support and wisdom women receive from each other makes the journey easier and more rewarding.”
Margaret Bia, MDProfessor Emeritus of Medicine (Nephrology)Blenman “I view life as a beautiful rainbow that holds many treasures of your own choosing at the end of that rainbow. A happy life is all about perspective. Where your rainbow does not exist . . . create one. Focus on the positive things that you have and leverage those to turn the negative things that are important to you into positive things. Only you can define those important things and accept that those important things will change as you grow and mature in life and in your career. Embrace that fact, unapologetically, as you live your happy life and collect the treasures at the end of your rainbow.”
Kim Blenman, PhD, MS
Assistant Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology) and Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Bockenstedt “My path toward becoming a physician-scientist started with a childhood curiosity about nature and a love of puzzles, coupled with a desire to nurture living things. As a physician-scientist, I am able to combine those passions and learn from their interplay. Taking care of patients has made me a better scientist by prompting questions that conform to the realities of human disease. Having a footprint in both clinical and research domains and learning from a diverse faculty has also informed my role as an administrator. Notes to next generation: Identify your values and the things that excite you and use them to illuminate your path in life.”
Linda Bockenstedt, MDHarold W. Jockers Professor of Medicine; DeputyDean for Faculty AffairsBolognia "When I was a medical student, I read Irwin Braverman’s Skin Signs of Systemic Disease. The next week during Grand Rounds—back then medical students were the first to present their differential diagnoses—I stated that I thought my patient had histiocytosis X, and less likely dermatitis. The attending dermatologist asked, “What makes you think the patient has such a rare entity?” I responded that it looked just like the picture in Dr. Braverman’s book! Believe it or not, the patient actually had histiocytosis X—truly beginner’s luck. The fact that I got the diagnosis right reflects how important a well-written book is for trainees.”
Jean Bolognia, MD ’80Professor of DermatologyCarmen “If I could, I would tell my younger self, what doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger. The hard work and differently wired brain will see you through and will help you overcome the many obstacles along the way. To the next generation I would say never give up on yourself, and ignore the naysayers. Your goals may change and the journey can be arduous, but there will be many good people and experiences along the way. You can have a family (if you choose) and a career, but there is no balance, just lots of hard work, juggling, and lack of sleep.”
Carmen Booth, DVM, PhDAssistant Professor of Comparative MedicineCooley “So much has changed for the better for women in science during my career. Looking back, I can see how the persistent, persuasive, and ultimately effective efforts by many people have made all the difference. To my younger self, I would say—even small steps can add up to enormous impact, so don’t be afraid to speak up!”
Lynn Cooley, PhDDean, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences;CNH Long Professor of Genetics; Professor ofCell Biology and of Molecular, Cellular, andDevelopmental Biology, Yale UniversityCrusto “My career is dedicated to working with and on behalf of vulnerable children and families and the communities in which they live, work, and play because I was one of them. To my younger self I would say: The impact of childhood vulnerabilities can last a lifetime, but it does not have to. The road to meaningful personal and professional lives takes courage, persistence, and support from others. Trust yourself, stay the course, you will become what you envisioned. To the next generation: Challenge systems of oppression and persist.”
Cindy Crusto, PhDAssociate Professor of Psychiatry; AssistantChair for Diversity, Department of PsychiatryCurtis “The only career advice I had in college was given to the Radcliffe freshman class (1964) from President Bunting, who said that we would all get PhDs or other advanced degrees, have children, and work full time. Luckily, I had two brothers who were in medicine and I loved dinnertime stories about life in the Bellevue ER. My hesitation was that if I didn’t like it I would’ve taken one of the 6 to 10% of places allotted to women at the time. Fortunately, I loved both medical school and residency at Yale. Teaching people to see is an amazing experience requiring creativity to understand what students do and don’t see and then figuring out how to get them there.”
Anne Curtis, MD ’70Professor Emeritus of Radiology andBiomedical ImagingAmeen “I am a foreign-trained medical school graduate who came to the U.S. seeking professional advancement. I would advise my younger self to return to my country of origin (Trinidad and Tobago) early after training; develop a professional network, mentors, and community; and live a balanced life and contribute to the development of my country. My advice to the women of the next generation: identify something that you are passionate about and work hard to build a legacy around that. Family and personal life are equally important for success. My sister was my mentor and best friend. I followed her path in medicine.”
Nadia Ameen, MBBSProfessor of Pediatrics (Gastroenterology) andof Cellular and Molecular PhysiologyAngoff “I am blessed. I never knew that I could be a physician who could enter patients’ stories and affect them. I never knew I could help medical students achieve their goals and dreams. I never knew that I could achieve my goals and dreams. Younger self, believe in you, fantasize about your future and find the people in your life who believe in you and help you believe that your fantasies may be your reality.”Nancy Angoff, MD ’90, MPH ’91, MEdAssociate Professor of Medicine (General Medicine)Associate Dean for Student AffairsBaserga “I am the first woman graduate of Yale College to be tenured in the biological sciences in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Yale. I chose to be a scientist out of boundless curiosity. If I could offer advice to my younger self, I would say “don’t worry.” My advice to the next generation is to ignore the naysayers.”
Susan Baserga, MD-PhD ’88Professor of Molecular Biophysics andBiochemistry, of Genetics and of TherapeuticRadiologyBelfort “I decided to be a physician in my early childhood. I was fascinated by the possibility of a career dedicated to helping other people and understanding the human body and how it is all integrated to work like a perfect symphony. Medicine was a way to bring this balance back to normal when something was out of sync. I would tell my younger self to focus on the big picture and the things you want to accomplish instead of the petty issues. You cannot control everything in your life, but do everything with passion and enjoy the trip.”
Renata Belfort De Aguiar, MD, PhDAssistant Professor of Medicine(Endocrinology)Bhattacharyya “Experiments will fail, papers will get rejected, and grants may go unfunded — these do not define you as a scientist. Trust your curiosity, follow bold questions, and keep moving forward. Discoveries take years to unfold.
Any profession, but especially science, will present its own set of hurdles. A path of discovery is often uncharted and does not come with a map – making every breakthrough impossible until someone proves otherwise. Let your curiosity speak louder than doubt, and your persistence rise higher than the hurdles. Women before us opened doors, and it’s our turn to hold the door wide open for those who follow.”
Moitrayee Bhattacharyya, PhD
Assistant Professor of PharmacologyBia “I am glad for women entering the medicine field today. When I entered medicine decades ago, it was truly a man’s world. I was the only woman in my residency years at Penn and during the first part of my career in the Nephrology Section at Yale. Although we have much more progress to make in placing women into leadership roles, the environment is so much better now with more women. The support and wisdom women receive from each other makes the journey easier and more rewarding.”
Margaret Bia, MDProfessor Emeritus of Medicine (Nephrology)Blenman “I view life as a beautiful rainbow that holds many treasures of your own choosing at the end of that rainbow. A happy life is all about perspective. Where your rainbow does not exist . . . create one. Focus on the positive things that you have and leverage those to turn the negative things that are important to you into positive things. Only you can define those important things and accept that those important things will change as you grow and mature in life and in your career. Embrace that fact, unapologetically, as you live your happy life and collect the treasures at the end of your rainbow.”
Kim Blenman, PhD, MS
Assistant Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology) and Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Bockenstedt “My path toward becoming a physician-scientist started with a childhood curiosity about nature and a love of puzzles, coupled with a desire to nurture living things. As a physician-scientist, I am able to combine those passions and learn from their interplay. Taking care of patients has made me a better scientist by prompting questions that conform to the realities of human disease. Having a footprint in both clinical and research domains and learning from a diverse faculty has also informed my role as an administrator. Notes to next generation: Identify your values and the things that excite you and use them to illuminate your path in life.”
Linda Bockenstedt, MDHarold W. Jockers Professor of Medicine; DeputyDean for Faculty AffairsBolognia "When I was a medical student, I read Irwin Braverman’s Skin Signs of Systemic Disease. The next week during Grand Rounds—back then medical students were the first to present their differential diagnoses—I stated that I thought my patient had histiocytosis X, and less likely dermatitis. The attending dermatologist asked, “What makes you think the patient has such a rare entity?” I responded that it looked just like the picture in Dr. Braverman’s book! Believe it or not, the patient actually had histiocytosis X—truly beginner’s luck. The fact that I got the diagnosis right reflects how important a well-written book is for trainees.”
Jean Bolognia, MD ’80Professor of DermatologyCarmen “If I could, I would tell my younger self, what doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger. The hard work and differently wired brain will see you through and will help you overcome the many obstacles along the way. To the next generation I would say never give up on yourself, and ignore the naysayers. Your goals may change and the journey can be arduous, but there will be many good people and experiences along the way. You can have a family (if you choose) and a career, but there is no balance, just lots of hard work, juggling, and lack of sleep.”
Carmen Booth, DVM, PhDAssistant Professor of Comparative MedicineCooley “So much has changed for the better for women in science during my career. Looking back, I can see how the persistent, persuasive, and ultimately effective efforts by many people have made all the difference. To my younger self, I would say—even small steps can add up to enormous impact, so don’t be afraid to speak up!”
Lynn Cooley, PhDDean, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences;CNH Long Professor of Genetics; Professor ofCell Biology and of Molecular, Cellular, andDevelopmental Biology, Yale UniversityCrusto “My career is dedicated to working with and on behalf of vulnerable children and families and the communities in which they live, work, and play because I was one of them. To my younger self I would say: The impact of childhood vulnerabilities can last a lifetime, but it does not have to. The road to meaningful personal and professional lives takes courage, persistence, and support from others. Trust yourself, stay the course, you will become what you envisioned. To the next generation: Challenge systems of oppression and persist.”
Cindy Crusto, PhDAssociate Professor of Psychiatry; AssistantChair for Diversity, Department of PsychiatryCurtis “The only career advice I had in college was given to the Radcliffe freshman class (1964) from President Bunting, who said that we would all get PhDs or other advanced degrees, have children, and work full time. Luckily, I had two brothers who were in medicine and I loved dinnertime stories about life in the Bellevue ER. My hesitation was that if I didn’t like it I would’ve taken one of the 6 to 10% of places allotted to women at the time. Fortunately, I loved both medical school and residency at Yale. Teaching people to see is an amazing experience requiring creativity to understand what students do and don’t see and then figuring out how to get them there.”
Anne Curtis, MD ’70Professor Emeritus of Radiology andBiomedical ImagingAmeen “I am a foreign-trained medical school graduate who came to the U.S. seeking professional advancement. I would advise my younger self to return to my country of origin (Trinidad and Tobago) early after training; develop a professional network, mentors, and community; and live a balanced life and contribute to the development of my country. My advice to the women of the next generation: identify something that you are passionate about and work hard to build a legacy around that. Family and personal life are equally important for success. My sister was my mentor and best friend. I followed her path in medicine.”
Nadia Ameen, MBBSProfessor of Pediatrics (Gastroenterology) andof Cellular and Molecular PhysiologyAngoff “I am blessed. I never knew that I could be a physician who could enter patients’ stories and affect them. I never knew I could help medical students achieve their goals and dreams. I never knew that I could achieve my goals and dreams. Younger self, believe in you, fantasize about your future and find the people in your life who believe in you and help you believe that your fantasies may be your reality.”Nancy Angoff, MD ’90, MPH ’91, MEdAssociate Professor of Medicine (General Medicine)Associate Dean for Student AffairsBaserga “I am the first woman graduate of Yale College to be tenured in the biological sciences in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Yale. I chose to be a scientist out of boundless curiosity. If I could offer advice to my younger self, I would say “don’t worry.” My advice to the next generation is to ignore the naysayers.”
Susan Baserga, MD-PhD ’88Professor of Molecular Biophysics andBiochemistry, of Genetics and of TherapeuticRadiologyBelfort “I decided to be a physician in my early childhood. I was fascinated by the possibility of a career dedicated to helping other people and understanding the human body and how it is all integrated to work like a perfect symphony. Medicine was a way to bring this balance back to normal when something was out of sync. I would tell my younger self to focus on the big picture and the things you want to accomplish instead of the petty issues. You cannot control everything in your life, but do everything with passion and enjoy the trip.”
Renata Belfort De Aguiar, MD, PhDAssistant Professor of Medicine(Endocrinology)Bhattacharyya “Experiments will fail, papers will get rejected, and grants may go unfunded — these do not define you as a scientist. Trust your curiosity, follow bold questions, and keep moving forward. Discoveries take years to unfold.
Any profession, but especially science, will present its own set of hurdles. A path of discovery is often uncharted and does not come with a map – making every breakthrough impossible until someone proves otherwise. Let your curiosity speak louder than doubt, and your persistence rise higher than the hurdles. Women before us opened doors, and it’s our turn to hold the door wide open for those who follow.”
Moitrayee Bhattacharyya, PhD
Assistant Professor of PharmacologyBia “I am glad for women entering the medicine field today. When I entered medicine decades ago, it was truly a man’s world. I was the only woman in my residency years at Penn and during the first part of my career in the Nephrology Section at Yale. Although we have much more progress to make in placing women into leadership roles, the environment is so much better now with more women. The support and wisdom women receive from each other makes the journey easier and more rewarding.”
Margaret Bia, MDProfessor Emeritus of Medicine (Nephrology)Blenman “I view life as a beautiful rainbow that holds many treasures of your own choosing at the end of that rainbow. A happy life is all about perspective. Where your rainbow does not exist . . . create one. Focus on the positive things that you have and leverage those to turn the negative things that are important to you into positive things. Only you can define those important things and accept that those important things will change as you grow and mature in life and in your career. Embrace that fact, unapologetically, as you live your happy life and collect the treasures at the end of your rainbow.”
Kim Blenman, PhD, MS
Assistant Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology) and Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Bockenstedt “My path toward becoming a physician-scientist started with a childhood curiosity about nature and a love of puzzles, coupled with a desire to nurture living things. As a physician-scientist, I am able to combine those passions and learn from their interplay. Taking care of patients has made me a better scientist by prompting questions that conform to the realities of human disease. Having a footprint in both clinical and research domains and learning from a diverse faculty has also informed my role as an administrator. Notes to next generation: Identify your values and the things that excite you and use them to illuminate your path in life.”
Linda Bockenstedt, MDHarold W. Jockers Professor of Medicine; DeputyDean for Faculty AffairsBolognia "When I was a medical student, I read Irwin Braverman’s Skin Signs of Systemic Disease. The next week during Grand Rounds—back then medical students were the first to present their differential diagnoses—I stated that I thought my patient had histiocytosis X, and less likely dermatitis. The attending dermatologist asked, “What makes you think the patient has such a rare entity?” I responded that it looked just like the picture in Dr. Braverman’s book! Believe it or not, the patient actually had histiocytosis X—truly beginner’s luck. The fact that I got the diagnosis right reflects how important a well-written book is for trainees.”
Jean Bolognia, MD ’80Professor of DermatologyCarmen “If I could, I would tell my younger self, what doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger. The hard work and differently wired brain will see you through and will help you overcome the many obstacles along the way. To the next generation I would say never give up on yourself, and ignore the naysayers. Your goals may change and the journey can be arduous, but there will be many good people and experiences along the way. You can have a family (if you choose) and a career, but there is no balance, just lots of hard work, juggling, and lack of sleep.”
Carmen Booth, DVM, PhDAssistant Professor of Comparative MedicineCooley “So much has changed for the better for women in science during my career. Looking back, I can see how the persistent, persuasive, and ultimately effective efforts by many people have made all the difference. To my younger self, I would say—even small steps can add up to enormous impact, so don’t be afraid to speak up!”
Lynn Cooley, PhDDean, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences;CNH Long Professor of Genetics; Professor ofCell Biology and of Molecular, Cellular, andDevelopmental Biology, Yale UniversityCrusto “My career is dedicated to working with and on behalf of vulnerable children and families and the communities in which they live, work, and play because I was one of them. To my younger self I would say: The impact of childhood vulnerabilities can last a lifetime, but it does not have to. The road to meaningful personal and professional lives takes courage, persistence, and support from others. Trust yourself, stay the course, you will become what you envisioned. To the next generation: Challenge systems of oppression and persist.”
Cindy Crusto, PhDAssociate Professor of Psychiatry; AssistantChair for Diversity, Department of PsychiatryCurtis “The only career advice I had in college was given to the Radcliffe freshman class (1964) from President Bunting, who said that we would all get PhDs or other advanced degrees, have children, and work full time. Luckily, I had two brothers who were in medicine and I loved dinnertime stories about life in the Bellevue ER. My hesitation was that if I didn’t like it I would’ve taken one of the 6 to 10% of places allotted to women at the time. Fortunately, I loved both medical school and residency at Yale. Teaching people to see is an amazing experience requiring creativity to understand what students do and don’t see and then figuring out how to get them there.”
Anne Curtis, MD ’70Professor Emeritus of Radiology andBiomedical Imaging
D, E, F
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D'Onofrio “Dream big and be passionate about what you do. Prepare by obtaining the education and skills you need to excel and carefully plan your path forward. Reach out to others in positions that you aspire to be in and ask about their life journey. Choose mentors wisely. Build a strong network of collaborators, set short- and long-term goals, and do not get sidetracked by tasks often assigned to young women. Be flexible, but spend your time judiciously. There is no such thing as life balance; itis more a complex juggling act. Do not let anyone derail your aspirations.”Gail D’Onofrio, MDProfessor and Chair, Department of Emergency MedicineDesir “If I could go into the past, I would tell myself to be patient and trust the journey. Every obstacle you face will prepare you for greater responsibility, and every setback will teach you resilience. Believe in your own voice and don’t be afraid to take up space. Trust your instincts. Your compassion is your clinical strength. Your unique perspective is not a barrier—it's your purpose. Trust your inner voice; it knows the way. Trust it more than any external validation. And to the next generation I would say: lead with confidence and integrity and never forget to reach back and support those who will come after you. True success is measured not only by personal achievement, but also by the doors you help open for others.”
Deborah Dyett Desir, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine (Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology)Desruisseaux “If I could offer advice to my younger self, I would say that whatever you choose to do with your life, make it something that excites you. Life is not a dress rehearsal, so irrespective of others’ expectations or of what mold you are supposed to fit in, focus on what brings you true and meaningful fulfillment. If you suffer from imposter syndrome, as I do, learn to view your inner negative voice as just noise, and realize that quite a few naysayers lack vision and are therefore limited in their ability to see your potential and what you can accomplish.”
Mahalia Desruisseaux, MDAssociate Professor of Internal Medicine(Infectious Diseases)Diaz “Becoming a physician fulfills a passion to serve others. Becoming a psychiatrist is the ultimate fulfillment. Understanding others led me to understand myself first, learn the value of my culture, appreciate diversity, and share the journey with trainees. Advice to my younger self: Learn your value and the value of your contributions. Find models you like and seek their guidance. Run away from negativity. Find a spot where you and your interests are supported. Find enough time for yourself and family. Your passion for serving others will lead to fulfillment.”
Esperanza Diaz, MDProfessor of PsychiatryEkong "I have always admired physicians who are both excellent clinicians and have made scientific and clinical contributions, both great and small, to their respective fields. I would tell my younger self that the hard work is well worth it. To the next generation, I would say: It’s only crazy ’til you do it."
Udame Ekong, MD, MPHAssociate Professor of Pediatrics(Gastroenterology)Fine “I would not have chosen any other career, both in the field of medicine and specifically in women’s health. I have juggled a wonderful family with three children and now four grandchildren, as well as a major passion for music and playing the French horn. Women in medicine have made a huge difference in a positive way both for patients and how the field has evolved. However, medicine needs to address work-life balance in such a way that women are embraced in leadership positions more readily. Allowing both men and women this flexibility will only make better doctors.”
Emily Fine, MD ’78Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics,Gynecology, & Reproductive SciencesFisher “People have asked: “What advice would you give to your younger self?” The answer is simple—take the same journey. There will be many times along the way where you can get sidetracked, but don’t wander off your path. People may make you doubt yourself, but don’t. Keep your eye on your goal. Listen to everyone’s advice, process it, and use it to help you reach your own decision. Thank the people who make sure that you believe in yourself—they are right. Show the people who may not be your supporters that they are wrong. Sit back and enjoy the journey!”Rosemarie Fisher, MDProfessor of Medicine (Digestive Diseases) andof PediatricsD'Onofrio “Dream big and be passionate about what you do. Prepare by obtaining the education and skills you need to excel and carefully plan your path forward. Reach out to others in positions that you aspire to be in and ask about their life journey. Choose mentors wisely. Build a strong network of collaborators, set short- and long-term goals, and do not get sidetracked by tasks often assigned to young women. Be flexible, but spend your time judiciously. There is no such thing as life balance; itis more a complex juggling act. Do not let anyone derail your aspirations.”Gail D’Onofrio, MDProfessor and Chair, Department of Emergency MedicineDesir “If I could go into the past, I would tell myself to be patient and trust the journey. Every obstacle you face will prepare you for greater responsibility, and every setback will teach you resilience. Believe in your own voice and don’t be afraid to take up space. Trust your instincts. Your compassion is your clinical strength. Your unique perspective is not a barrier—it's your purpose. Trust your inner voice; it knows the way. Trust it more than any external validation. And to the next generation I would say: lead with confidence and integrity and never forget to reach back and support those who will come after you. True success is measured not only by personal achievement, but also by the doors you help open for others.”
Deborah Dyett Desir, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine (Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology)Desruisseaux “If I could offer advice to my younger self, I would say that whatever you choose to do with your life, make it something that excites you. Life is not a dress rehearsal, so irrespective of others’ expectations or of what mold you are supposed to fit in, focus on what brings you true and meaningful fulfillment. If you suffer from imposter syndrome, as I do, learn to view your inner negative voice as just noise, and realize that quite a few naysayers lack vision and are therefore limited in their ability to see your potential and what you can accomplish.”
Mahalia Desruisseaux, MDAssociate Professor of Internal Medicine(Infectious Diseases)Diaz “Becoming a physician fulfills a passion to serve others. Becoming a psychiatrist is the ultimate fulfillment. Understanding others led me to understand myself first, learn the value of my culture, appreciate diversity, and share the journey with trainees. Advice to my younger self: Learn your value and the value of your contributions. Find models you like and seek their guidance. Run away from negativity. Find a spot where you and your interests are supported. Find enough time for yourself and family. Your passion for serving others will lead to fulfillment.”
Esperanza Diaz, MDProfessor of PsychiatryEkong "I have always admired physicians who are both excellent clinicians and have made scientific and clinical contributions, both great and small, to their respective fields. I would tell my younger self that the hard work is well worth it. To the next generation, I would say: It’s only crazy ’til you do it."
Udame Ekong, MD, MPHAssociate Professor of Pediatrics(Gastroenterology)Fine “I would not have chosen any other career, both in the field of medicine and specifically in women’s health. I have juggled a wonderful family with three children and now four grandchildren, as well as a major passion for music and playing the French horn. Women in medicine have made a huge difference in a positive way both for patients and how the field has evolved. However, medicine needs to address work-life balance in such a way that women are embraced in leadership positions more readily. Allowing both men and women this flexibility will only make better doctors.”
Emily Fine, MD ’78Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics,Gynecology, & Reproductive SciencesFisher “People have asked: “What advice would you give to your younger self?” The answer is simple—take the same journey. There will be many times along the way where you can get sidetracked, but don’t wander off your path. People may make you doubt yourself, but don’t. Keep your eye on your goal. Listen to everyone’s advice, process it, and use it to help you reach your own decision. Thank the people who make sure that you believe in yourself—they are right. Show the people who may not be your supporters that they are wrong. Sit back and enjoy the journey!”Rosemarie Fisher, MDProfessor of Medicine (Digestive Diseases) andof PediatricsD'Onofrio “Dream big and be passionate about what you do. Prepare by obtaining the education and skills you need to excel and carefully plan your path forward. Reach out to others in positions that you aspire to be in and ask about their life journey. Choose mentors wisely. Build a strong network of collaborators, set short- and long-term goals, and do not get sidetracked by tasks often assigned to young women. Be flexible, but spend your time judiciously. There is no such thing as life balance; itis more a complex juggling act. Do not let anyone derail your aspirations.”Gail D’Onofrio, MDProfessor and Chair, Department of Emergency MedicineDesir “If I could go into the past, I would tell myself to be patient and trust the journey. Every obstacle you face will prepare you for greater responsibility, and every setback will teach you resilience. Believe in your own voice and don’t be afraid to take up space. Trust your instincts. Your compassion is your clinical strength. Your unique perspective is not a barrier—it's your purpose. Trust your inner voice; it knows the way. Trust it more than any external validation. And to the next generation I would say: lead with confidence and integrity and never forget to reach back and support those who will come after you. True success is measured not only by personal achievement, but also by the doors you help open for others.”
Deborah Dyett Desir, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine (Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology)Desruisseaux “If I could offer advice to my younger self, I would say that whatever you choose to do with your life, make it something that excites you. Life is not a dress rehearsal, so irrespective of others’ expectations or of what mold you are supposed to fit in, focus on what brings you true and meaningful fulfillment. If you suffer from imposter syndrome, as I do, learn to view your inner negative voice as just noise, and realize that quite a few naysayers lack vision and are therefore limited in their ability to see your potential and what you can accomplish.”
Mahalia Desruisseaux, MDAssociate Professor of Internal Medicine(Infectious Diseases)Diaz “Becoming a physician fulfills a passion to serve others. Becoming a psychiatrist is the ultimate fulfillment. Understanding others led me to understand myself first, learn the value of my culture, appreciate diversity, and share the journey with trainees. Advice to my younger self: Learn your value and the value of your contributions. Find models you like and seek their guidance. Run away from negativity. Find a spot where you and your interests are supported. Find enough time for yourself and family. Your passion for serving others will lead to fulfillment.”
Esperanza Diaz, MDProfessor of PsychiatryEkong "I have always admired physicians who are both excellent clinicians and have made scientific and clinical contributions, both great and small, to their respective fields. I would tell my younger self that the hard work is well worth it. To the next generation, I would say: It’s only crazy ’til you do it."
Udame Ekong, MD, MPHAssociate Professor of Pediatrics(Gastroenterology)Fine “I would not have chosen any other career, both in the field of medicine and specifically in women’s health. I have juggled a wonderful family with three children and now four grandchildren, as well as a major passion for music and playing the French horn. Women in medicine have made a huge difference in a positive way both for patients and how the field has evolved. However, medicine needs to address work-life balance in such a way that women are embraced in leadership positions more readily. Allowing both men and women this flexibility will only make better doctors.”
Emily Fine, MD ’78Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics,Gynecology, & Reproductive SciencesFisher “People have asked: “What advice would you give to your younger self?” The answer is simple—take the same journey. There will be many times along the way where you can get sidetracked, but don’t wander off your path. People may make you doubt yourself, but don’t. Keep your eye on your goal. Listen to everyone’s advice, process it, and use it to help you reach your own decision. Thank the people who make sure that you believe in yourself—they are right. Show the people who may not be your supporters that they are wrong. Sit back and enjoy the journey!”Rosemarie Fisher, MDProfessor of Medicine (Digestive Diseases) andof Pediatrics
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Galiana “Don’t trust anyone who says you don’t need more math courses."
Gigi Galiana, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Radiology and Biomedical ImagingGenao “I would offer three pieces of advice to my younger self: 1. Strive for acceptance, of yourself and those around you. This will prepare you to forgive and forget and not lose sight of all the wonderful things, big and small, that life has to offer. 2. Remember to live your life. Many, particularly women, spend a significant amount of time caring for others, but we tend to forget that we have a life to live to its full potential. By taking care of ourselves and living our lives, we have so much more to offer. 3. Remember that you are where you belong."Inginia Genao, MDAssociate Professor of Medicine (GeneralMedicine); Associate Chair for Diversity andInclusion, Department of Internal MedicineGonzalez-Colaso "I would say to my younger self to be prepared for a very long journey full of surprises. You will leave your country, speak a new language, transform your career, and build a life in a place never imagined. An abundance of happy moments will illuminate next steps and there will be as many bumps on the road to fuel your creativity and test your perseverance. You will engage with generous people in this journey who will challenge your mind and warm your soul. Gratitude will be your only currency. To the next generation I would say: Never compromise your authenticity."Rosana Gonzalez-Colaso, PharmD, MPHAssistant Professor in the Physician AssociateProgram, Department of MedicineGarcia “I was brought up in Mexico in an environment where male privilege was the unspoken rule. I chose my career path as a result of a passion for science and for understanding how disease happens, plus the guidance of strong teachers and mentors. I would tell my younger self and the next generation of women: No matter how junior you are, speak up and fight for what you think is right. Be yourself, do not allow anybody to intimidate you, do not expect to be given special considerations, and always do your best. Obstacles are challenges that can be overcome and that can become stepping stones.”
Guadalupe, Garcia-Tsao, MDProfessor of Medicine (Digestive Diseases)Gonzalez "My grandfather always told me that an education was something that no one could ever take away from you. By contributing to the education of others and furthering our collective understanding of science, engineering and medicine, I hope to give others the gift that my grandfather so earnestly hoped for me. I would also remind my younger self that no major scientific discovery is made by one person alone, but rather by collaborations between generations of people who have each added more and more clues towards finding solutions. That’s why it is so important to keep the stream of scientific discovery and innovation going; not just for ourselves, but for our children, and their children."
Anjelica L. Gonzalez, PhD
Raymond John Wean Professor of Biomedical Engineering; Affiliated Faculty, Vascular Biology & Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, Yale Institute of Global Health; Faculty Director of Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale (Tsai CITY)Greco “I find many parallels between my experience as a woman and my experience learning a new language. While trying to integrate into a foreign country, I have felt the frustration of having clear ideas in my mind but not being understood. It was as if my voice was muffled, sometimes mute. In the world of science where we seem to speak a common language, I often feel the same. How as women we think about problems, articulate an argument, is frequently quite different from men. In a professional world dominated by men, this can cause our voices to not be heard and to many talents being wasted.”
Valentina Greco, PhDCarolyn Walch Slayman Professor of GeneticsHansson “A career in medicine is both personally rewarding and challenging. You develop close, nurturing relationships with your patients, practice state-of- the-art medicine, and educate the next generation of physicians, but you can be stretched to your limits. Finding balance in your life is important and we all struggle with this. The most important piece of advice I can offer is find a pathway that excites/challenges you, since this will be a large part of your life. What has helped me is the support from my family and mentors throughout my career.”
Joni Hansson, MD ’89Associate Clinical Professor of MedicineHorowitz "I knew I wanted to be a physician in elementary school but hadn’t expected to be so profoundly drawn to surgery in medical school. It’s the perfect field for the restless and questioning person. It requires trust, and therefore psychological intimacy, in your relationships with patients. You need to grasp issues about their underlying health, beliefs, and goals before making a surgical decision, and then you need to perform their procedure as perfectly as possible for the best possibleresult. What a challenge every day! Opportunities are boundless to move our care forward with better understanding of cause, prevention, and technique. My younger self fought this decision with worries about time, balance, and commitment. It was undoubtedly the right decision, one I would absolutely make again."Nina Horowitz, MDAssistant Professor of Surgery (Oncology)Illuzzi Jessica Illuzzi, MD, MS, FACOG
Deputy Dean for Education and Harold W. Jockers Professor of Medical Education and Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
Iwasaki “I chose to be a scientist for the pure joy of scientific discovery. Truth will prevail in the end. Don't worry about the short-term consequences and don’t let anyone convince you that you are not good enough for science. Find an area of science you love and pursue it like there is no tomorrow!”
Akiko Iwasaki, PhDWaldemar Von Zedtwitz ProfessorImmunobiology and Molecular, Cellular andDevelopmental Biology; Howard HughesMedical Institute InvestigatorJohnson "I was brought up to believe that I could do anything! Education, enthusiasm, passion, and hard work inevitably allow one to reach high goals. Disappointments happen, but they only become failures if we do not use them as a stimulus to find another path to success. As one of the first women in neurointerventional radiology in the U.S,. I was treated as equal to my male counterparts. I think this was because I spoke up and made a place for myself at the table. I am the first African American woman professor at the Yale School of Medicine— proof that I can do anything!"Michele H. Johnson, MDProfessor of Radiology and Biomedical Imagingand of NeurosurgeryJonas “When I was small, my father said, “I think when you grow up, Yale will be accepting women,” and he was correct. I wanted to discover something important and this passion drove me to pursue the side of medicine where scientific inquiry was the focus. Looking back, I would tell my younger self and the newest generation of physician scientists not to procrastinate, but also not to be too impatient, because making discoveries takes time. For me, knowing that my children and my trainees will continue to discover things and make improvements for women in medicine provides meaning to my life’s work.”
Elizabeth Jonas, MDProfessor of Medicine (Endocrinology) andProfessor of Neuroscience; Co-Chair Committeeon the Status of Women in Medicine (SWIM)Jordan “The fundamental message of equity and inclusion has informed my research, clinical work, and leadership duties at Yale and beyond. I am passionate about helping all people achieve wellness and recovery from substance use disorders. My goal is to improve outcomes for patients from underrepresented racial and ethnic populations by involving them in every step of the process, from research to clinical interaction. I am elated and inspired that at Yale, I have been able to exist in an environment supportive of my vision to work with communities, integrating the cultural and religious aspects of people’s lives, while also addressing structural inequities that impede improved mental health and wellness.”
Ayana Jordan, MD/PhDAssistant Professor of PsychiatryJustice “Research is, at its heart, a wildly creative endeavor requiring imagination, hard work, and chutzpah, tempered with humility. The wonderful thing about data is that it can prove you wrong and that is where the greatest insights are to be gained. This process is accelerated by working in diverse teams willing to challenge assumptions and learn from each other. Keep your ego in check, your imagination active, work hard, play well in the sand box with others, and you will go far.”
Amy Justice, MD ’88, PhDC.N.H. Long Professor of Medicine (GeneralMedicine) and Professor of Public Health(Health Policy)Galiana “Don’t trust anyone who says you don’t need more math courses."
Gigi Galiana, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Radiology and Biomedical ImagingGenao “I would offer three pieces of advice to my younger self: 1. Strive for acceptance, of yourself and those around you. This will prepare you to forgive and forget and not lose sight of all the wonderful things, big and small, that life has to offer. 2. Remember to live your life. Many, particularly women, spend a significant amount of time caring for others, but we tend to forget that we have a life to live to its full potential. By taking care of ourselves and living our lives, we have so much more to offer. 3. Remember that you are where you belong."Inginia Genao, MDAssociate Professor of Medicine (GeneralMedicine); Associate Chair for Diversity andInclusion, Department of Internal MedicineGonzalez-Colaso "I would say to my younger self to be prepared for a very long journey full of surprises. You will leave your country, speak a new language, transform your career, and build a life in a place never imagined. An abundance of happy moments will illuminate next steps and there will be as many bumps on the road to fuel your creativity and test your perseverance. You will engage with generous people in this journey who will challenge your mind and warm your soul. Gratitude will be your only currency. To the next generation I would say: Never compromise your authenticity."Rosana Gonzalez-Colaso, PharmD, MPHAssistant Professor in the Physician AssociateProgram, Department of MedicineGarcia “I was brought up in Mexico in an environment where male privilege was the unspoken rule. I chose my career path as a result of a passion for science and for understanding how disease happens, plus the guidance of strong teachers and mentors. I would tell my younger self and the next generation of women: No matter how junior you are, speak up and fight for what you think is right. Be yourself, do not allow anybody to intimidate you, do not expect to be given special considerations, and always do your best. Obstacles are challenges that can be overcome and that can become stepping stones.”
Guadalupe, Garcia-Tsao, MDProfessor of Medicine (Digestive Diseases)Gonzalez "My grandfather always told me that an education was something that no one could ever take away from you. By contributing to the education of others and furthering our collective understanding of science, engineering and medicine, I hope to give others the gift that my grandfather so earnestly hoped for me. I would also remind my younger self that no major scientific discovery is made by one person alone, but rather by collaborations between generations of people who have each added more and more clues towards finding solutions. That’s why it is so important to keep the stream of scientific discovery and innovation going; not just for ourselves, but for our children, and their children."
Anjelica L. Gonzalez, PhD
Raymond John Wean Professor of Biomedical Engineering; Affiliated Faculty, Vascular Biology & Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, Yale Institute of Global Health; Faculty Director of Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale (Tsai CITY)Greco “I find many parallels between my experience as a woman and my experience learning a new language. While trying to integrate into a foreign country, I have felt the frustration of having clear ideas in my mind but not being understood. It was as if my voice was muffled, sometimes mute. In the world of science where we seem to speak a common language, I often feel the same. How as women we think about problems, articulate an argument, is frequently quite different from men. In a professional world dominated by men, this can cause our voices to not be heard and to many talents being wasted.”
Valentina Greco, PhDCarolyn Walch Slayman Professor of GeneticsHansson “A career in medicine is both personally rewarding and challenging. You develop close, nurturing relationships with your patients, practice state-of- the-art medicine, and educate the next generation of physicians, but you can be stretched to your limits. Finding balance in your life is important and we all struggle with this. The most important piece of advice I can offer is find a pathway that excites/challenges you, since this will be a large part of your life. What has helped me is the support from my family and mentors throughout my career.”
Joni Hansson, MD ’89Associate Clinical Professor of MedicineHorowitz "I knew I wanted to be a physician in elementary school but hadn’t expected to be so profoundly drawn to surgery in medical school. It’s the perfect field for the restless and questioning person. It requires trust, and therefore psychological intimacy, in your relationships with patients. You need to grasp issues about their underlying health, beliefs, and goals before making a surgical decision, and then you need to perform their procedure as perfectly as possible for the best possibleresult. What a challenge every day! Opportunities are boundless to move our care forward with better understanding of cause, prevention, and technique. My younger self fought this decision with worries about time, balance, and commitment. It was undoubtedly the right decision, one I would absolutely make again."Nina Horowitz, MDAssistant Professor of Surgery (Oncology)Illuzzi Jessica Illuzzi, MD, MS, FACOG
Deputy Dean for Education and Harold W. Jockers Professor of Medical Education and Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
Iwasaki “I chose to be a scientist for the pure joy of scientific discovery. Truth will prevail in the end. Don't worry about the short-term consequences and don’t let anyone convince you that you are not good enough for science. Find an area of science you love and pursue it like there is no tomorrow!”
Akiko Iwasaki, PhDWaldemar Von Zedtwitz ProfessorImmunobiology and Molecular, Cellular andDevelopmental Biology; Howard HughesMedical Institute InvestigatorJohnson "I was brought up to believe that I could do anything! Education, enthusiasm, passion, and hard work inevitably allow one to reach high goals. Disappointments happen, but they only become failures if we do not use them as a stimulus to find another path to success. As one of the first women in neurointerventional radiology in the U.S,. I was treated as equal to my male counterparts. I think this was because I spoke up and made a place for myself at the table. I am the first African American woman professor at the Yale School of Medicine— proof that I can do anything!"Michele H. Johnson, MDProfessor of Radiology and Biomedical Imagingand of NeurosurgeryJonas “When I was small, my father said, “I think when you grow up, Yale will be accepting women,” and he was correct. I wanted to discover something important and this passion drove me to pursue the side of medicine where scientific inquiry was the focus. Looking back, I would tell my younger self and the newest generation of physician scientists not to procrastinate, but also not to be too impatient, because making discoveries takes time. For me, knowing that my children and my trainees will continue to discover things and make improvements for women in medicine provides meaning to my life’s work.”
Elizabeth Jonas, MDProfessor of Medicine (Endocrinology) andProfessor of Neuroscience; Co-Chair Committeeon the Status of Women in Medicine (SWIM)Jordan “The fundamental message of equity and inclusion has informed my research, clinical work, and leadership duties at Yale and beyond. I am passionate about helping all people achieve wellness and recovery from substance use disorders. My goal is to improve outcomes for patients from underrepresented racial and ethnic populations by involving them in every step of the process, from research to clinical interaction. I am elated and inspired that at Yale, I have been able to exist in an environment supportive of my vision to work with communities, integrating the cultural and religious aspects of people’s lives, while also addressing structural inequities that impede improved mental health and wellness.”
Ayana Jordan, MD/PhDAssistant Professor of PsychiatryJustice “Research is, at its heart, a wildly creative endeavor requiring imagination, hard work, and chutzpah, tempered with humility. The wonderful thing about data is that it can prove you wrong and that is where the greatest insights are to be gained. This process is accelerated by working in diverse teams willing to challenge assumptions and learn from each other. Keep your ego in check, your imagination active, work hard, play well in the sand box with others, and you will go far.”
Amy Justice, MD ’88, PhDC.N.H. Long Professor of Medicine (GeneralMedicine) and Professor of Public Health(Health Policy)Galiana “Don’t trust anyone who says you don’t need more math courses."
Gigi Galiana, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Radiology and Biomedical ImagingGenao “I would offer three pieces of advice to my younger self: 1. Strive for acceptance, of yourself and those around you. This will prepare you to forgive and forget and not lose sight of all the wonderful things, big and small, that life has to offer. 2. Remember to live your life. Many, particularly women, spend a significant amount of time caring for others, but we tend to forget that we have a life to live to its full potential. By taking care of ourselves and living our lives, we have so much more to offer. 3. Remember that you are where you belong."Inginia Genao, MDAssociate Professor of Medicine (GeneralMedicine); Associate Chair for Diversity andInclusion, Department of Internal MedicineGonzalez-Colaso "I would say to my younger self to be prepared for a very long journey full of surprises. You will leave your country, speak a new language, transform your career, and build a life in a place never imagined. An abundance of happy moments will illuminate next steps and there will be as many bumps on the road to fuel your creativity and test your perseverance. You will engage with generous people in this journey who will challenge your mind and warm your soul. Gratitude will be your only currency. To the next generation I would say: Never compromise your authenticity."Rosana Gonzalez-Colaso, PharmD, MPHAssistant Professor in the Physician AssociateProgram, Department of MedicineGarcia “I was brought up in Mexico in an environment where male privilege was the unspoken rule. I chose my career path as a result of a passion for science and for understanding how disease happens, plus the guidance of strong teachers and mentors. I would tell my younger self and the next generation of women: No matter how junior you are, speak up and fight for what you think is right. Be yourself, do not allow anybody to intimidate you, do not expect to be given special considerations, and always do your best. Obstacles are challenges that can be overcome and that can become stepping stones.”
Guadalupe, Garcia-Tsao, MDProfessor of Medicine (Digestive Diseases)Gonzalez "My grandfather always told me that an education was something that no one could ever take away from you. By contributing to the education of others and furthering our collective understanding of science, engineering and medicine, I hope to give others the gift that my grandfather so earnestly hoped for me. I would also remind my younger self that no major scientific discovery is made by one person alone, but rather by collaborations between generations of people who have each added more and more clues towards finding solutions. That’s why it is so important to keep the stream of scientific discovery and innovation going; not just for ourselves, but for our children, and their children."
Anjelica L. Gonzalez, PhD
Raymond John Wean Professor of Biomedical Engineering; Affiliated Faculty, Vascular Biology & Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, Yale Institute of Global Health; Faculty Director of Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale (Tsai CITY)Greco “I find many parallels between my experience as a woman and my experience learning a new language. While trying to integrate into a foreign country, I have felt the frustration of having clear ideas in my mind but not being understood. It was as if my voice was muffled, sometimes mute. In the world of science where we seem to speak a common language, I often feel the same. How as women we think about problems, articulate an argument, is frequently quite different from men. In a professional world dominated by men, this can cause our voices to not be heard and to many talents being wasted.”
Valentina Greco, PhDCarolyn Walch Slayman Professor of GeneticsHansson “A career in medicine is both personally rewarding and challenging. You develop close, nurturing relationships with your patients, practice state-of- the-art medicine, and educate the next generation of physicians, but you can be stretched to your limits. Finding balance in your life is important and we all struggle with this. The most important piece of advice I can offer is find a pathway that excites/challenges you, since this will be a large part of your life. What has helped me is the support from my family and mentors throughout my career.”
Joni Hansson, MD ’89Associate Clinical Professor of MedicineHorowitz "I knew I wanted to be a physician in elementary school but hadn’t expected to be so profoundly drawn to surgery in medical school. It’s the perfect field for the restless and questioning person. It requires trust, and therefore psychological intimacy, in your relationships with patients. You need to grasp issues about their underlying health, beliefs, and goals before making a surgical decision, and then you need to perform their procedure as perfectly as possible for the best possibleresult. What a challenge every day! Opportunities are boundless to move our care forward with better understanding of cause, prevention, and technique. My younger self fought this decision with worries about time, balance, and commitment. It was undoubtedly the right decision, one I would absolutely make again."Nina Horowitz, MDAssistant Professor of Surgery (Oncology)Illuzzi Jessica Illuzzi, MD, MS, FACOG
Deputy Dean for Education and Harold W. Jockers Professor of Medical Education and Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
Iwasaki “I chose to be a scientist for the pure joy of scientific discovery. Truth will prevail in the end. Don't worry about the short-term consequences and don’t let anyone convince you that you are not good enough for science. Find an area of science you love and pursue it like there is no tomorrow!”
Akiko Iwasaki, PhDWaldemar Von Zedtwitz ProfessorImmunobiology and Molecular, Cellular andDevelopmental Biology; Howard HughesMedical Institute InvestigatorJohnson "I was brought up to believe that I could do anything! Education, enthusiasm, passion, and hard work inevitably allow one to reach high goals. Disappointments happen, but they only become failures if we do not use them as a stimulus to find another path to success. As one of the first women in neurointerventional radiology in the U.S,. I was treated as equal to my male counterparts. I think this was because I spoke up and made a place for myself at the table. I am the first African American woman professor at the Yale School of Medicine— proof that I can do anything!"Michele H. Johnson, MDProfessor of Radiology and Biomedical Imagingand of NeurosurgeryJonas “When I was small, my father said, “I think when you grow up, Yale will be accepting women,” and he was correct. I wanted to discover something important and this passion drove me to pursue the side of medicine where scientific inquiry was the focus. Looking back, I would tell my younger self and the newest generation of physician scientists not to procrastinate, but also not to be too impatient, because making discoveries takes time. For me, knowing that my children and my trainees will continue to discover things and make improvements for women in medicine provides meaning to my life’s work.”
Elizabeth Jonas, MDProfessor of Medicine (Endocrinology) andProfessor of Neuroscience; Co-Chair Committeeon the Status of Women in Medicine (SWIM)Jordan “The fundamental message of equity and inclusion has informed my research, clinical work, and leadership duties at Yale and beyond. I am passionate about helping all people achieve wellness and recovery from substance use disorders. My goal is to improve outcomes for patients from underrepresented racial and ethnic populations by involving them in every step of the process, from research to clinical interaction. I am elated and inspired that at Yale, I have been able to exist in an environment supportive of my vision to work with communities, integrating the cultural and religious aspects of people’s lives, while also addressing structural inequities that impede improved mental health and wellness.”
Ayana Jordan, MD/PhDAssistant Professor of PsychiatryJustice “Research is, at its heart, a wildly creative endeavor requiring imagination, hard work, and chutzpah, tempered with humility. The wonderful thing about data is that it can prove you wrong and that is where the greatest insights are to be gained. This process is accelerated by working in diverse teams willing to challenge assumptions and learn from each other. Keep your ego in check, your imagination active, work hard, play well in the sand box with others, and you will go far.”
Amy Justice, MD ’88, PhDC.N.H. Long Professor of Medicine (GeneralMedicine) and Professor of Public Health(Health Policy)
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Kapadia “I entered medical school, inspired by my dad who was a physician. I developed a passion for anatomy, for what it is, to use the psalmist’s words, something that is “fearfully and wonderfully made.” My inspiration through my career that stretched over four decades came from my students. My advice to women at the threshold of their careers is to choose a good mentor, learn to trust your instincts, have confidence to speak out, and do not hesitate to take charge should the opportunity arise. I did not always. Above all be passionate about what you do.”
Shanta E. Kapadia, MBBSLecturer in Surgery (Gross Anatomy)Kashaf “I chose a career path that reflected my values: collegiality, excellence, and service. My biggest role model has been my mother, an ob/gyn, and the first woman in her small city in Iran to go to medical school. Along the way I have been fortunate to have had mentors who inspired, encouraged and pushed me, but also let me follow my own path, at my own pace. I would tell my younger self to get over her imposter syndrome. Everyone is figuring it out as they go. Just because something has been done a certain way doesn’t mean that’s the best way.”
Susan Kashaf, MD, MPHAssociate Professor of Medicine (General Medicine)Kavathas “In 1986 as a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University, the message was everywhere: you could not succeed as tenured faculty at a research university and also have children. There were no role models. After 33 years on the Yale faculty, doing research, teaching, and battling for gender equity, with two children and a husband, today I see role models and success for women. Find your mentors, advocates, an enthusiastic partner, and go for it. What you achieve matters for all women.”
Paula Kavathas, PhDProfessor of Laboratory Medicine, ofImmunobiology, and of Molecular, Cellular andDevelopmental BiologyKazmierczak “Risk and uncertainty are often considered reasons to avoid a career in research—but I find the possibility of observing the unexpected and unanticipated too exciting to pass up.”
Barbara Kazmierczak, PhD, MDGustavus and Louise Pfeiffer ResearchFoundation MD-PhD Program Director;Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) andof Microbial PathogenesisKrause “I have loved my career because I love science and discovery. With the right experiments, the right team of collaborators, and a bit of good fortune, scientists can reveal aspects of the world we didn’t previously know.”
Diane Krause, MD, PhDProfessor of Laboratory Medicine, of CellBiology, and of PathologyLampert “Being a woman in cardiology, doing a combination of clinical care for patients with arrhythmias, and clinical research, has been and continues to be an enormously satisfying career. While being a woman in a mostly male field can occasionally bring challenges, staying focused on why you went into the field—the patients, the clinical questions, the research questions—keeps the work satisfying.”
Rachel Lampert, MDProfessor of Medicine (Cardiology)Landry “When I was 12, I decided to be a physician. My father and mother, who left school to work at 14 and 15, never doubted I could succeed. I was one of only two women medical interns when I started at Yale, but felt at home and stayed. As an academic physician, I am grateful to have contributed in some small way to advances in medical care. I would tell younger women to focus on their goals, ignore the naysayers, and enjoy the journey.”Marie-Louise Landry, MDProfessor and Vice Chair, Laboratory Medicine;Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases)Lattanza Grit, resilience, and tenacity are the most important determinants of success, not where you went to school. Just be you.
I started out in my professional career as a physical therapist. My parents did not have the resources, and I did not have the confidence to think that I could get in to medical school. One day a mentor changed all of that for me. I fell in love with orthopaedic surgery while working as a physical therapist and was encouraged to follow that path. I have taken every opportunity ever since, and created opportunity if there was none. Today, I love my clinical practice of orthopaedic hand and upper extremity surgery but also love my research and innovation, educating, mentoring, and providing opportunity for the next generation.
Lisa L. Lattanza, MD, FAOA, FAAOS
Chair & Ensign Professor, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation; Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery Yale New Haven Health System; Dir. Grad. Studies Masters of Science in Personalized Medicine and Applied EngineeringLeffert "Be your best self and you will find a way. Women are often told they are too much or not enough. There is ample opportunity for all kinds of women in positions of leadership. You just have to find the right environment for you.
Intuition led me to my career path. I always had a strong interest in women’s well-being, and my mother was a role model for having a career at a time when it was not common to do so. I’ve also always been very pragmatic and a problem solver (applied math major in college). I was a healthcare management consultant and venture capitalist more than 30 years ago before medical school. This was great preparation for being an administrator in academic medicine, and faculty development and obstetric anesthesia is in some ways a natural fit."
Lisa Leffert, MD
Nicholas Greene Professor of Anesthesiology Chair, Anesthesiology; Physician-in-Chief of Anesthesiology,Yale New Haven Hospital and Bridgeport Hospital
Liu “Have patience with others, yourself, your projects, and your career aspirations. As a young, motivated and ambitious person, we often seek immediate gratification or want things to accelerate on a quicker time frame than “the process.” Take time to find joy in the little things and reset. In many cases you do not have to pull all-nighters like your procrastinating college days. Be that composed person who takes a step back to frame the big picture and has the grace others want to work with.”
Rachel Liu, BAO, MBBCh, FACEP, FAIUM
Professor of Emergency Medicine; Director, Point of Care Ultrasound Education & Director, Advanced Training Period, Office of Curriculum; Vice Chair of Faculty Affairs, Emergency MedicineKapadia “I entered medical school, inspired by my dad who was a physician. I developed a passion for anatomy, for what it is, to use the psalmist’s words, something that is “fearfully and wonderfully made.” My inspiration through my career that stretched over four decades came from my students. My advice to women at the threshold of their careers is to choose a good mentor, learn to trust your instincts, have confidence to speak out, and do not hesitate to take charge should the opportunity arise. I did not always. Above all be passionate about what you do.”
Shanta E. Kapadia, MBBSLecturer in Surgery (Gross Anatomy)Kashaf “I chose a career path that reflected my values: collegiality, excellence, and service. My biggest role model has been my mother, an ob/gyn, and the first woman in her small city in Iran to go to medical school. Along the way I have been fortunate to have had mentors who inspired, encouraged and pushed me, but also let me follow my own path, at my own pace. I would tell my younger self to get over her imposter syndrome. Everyone is figuring it out as they go. Just because something has been done a certain way doesn’t mean that’s the best way.”
Susan Kashaf, MD, MPHAssociate Professor of Medicine (General Medicine)Kavathas “In 1986 as a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University, the message was everywhere: you could not succeed as tenured faculty at a research university and also have children. There were no role models. After 33 years on the Yale faculty, doing research, teaching, and battling for gender equity, with two children and a husband, today I see role models and success for women. Find your mentors, advocates, an enthusiastic partner, and go for it. What you achieve matters for all women.”
Paula Kavathas, PhDProfessor of Laboratory Medicine, ofImmunobiology, and of Molecular, Cellular andDevelopmental BiologyKazmierczak “Risk and uncertainty are often considered reasons to avoid a career in research—but I find the possibility of observing the unexpected and unanticipated too exciting to pass up.”
Barbara Kazmierczak, PhD, MDGustavus and Louise Pfeiffer ResearchFoundation MD-PhD Program Director;Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) andof Microbial PathogenesisKrause “I have loved my career because I love science and discovery. With the right experiments, the right team of collaborators, and a bit of good fortune, scientists can reveal aspects of the world we didn’t previously know.”
Diane Krause, MD, PhDProfessor of Laboratory Medicine, of CellBiology, and of PathologyLampert “Being a woman in cardiology, doing a combination of clinical care for patients with arrhythmias, and clinical research, has been and continues to be an enormously satisfying career. While being a woman in a mostly male field can occasionally bring challenges, staying focused on why you went into the field—the patients, the clinical questions, the research questions—keeps the work satisfying.”
Rachel Lampert, MDProfessor of Medicine (Cardiology)Landry “When I was 12, I decided to be a physician. My father and mother, who left school to work at 14 and 15, never doubted I could succeed. I was one of only two women medical interns when I started at Yale, but felt at home and stayed. As an academic physician, I am grateful to have contributed in some small way to advances in medical care. I would tell younger women to focus on their goals, ignore the naysayers, and enjoy the journey.”Marie-Louise Landry, MDProfessor and Vice Chair, Laboratory Medicine;Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases)Lattanza Grit, resilience, and tenacity are the most important determinants of success, not where you went to school. Just be you.
I started out in my professional career as a physical therapist. My parents did not have the resources, and I did not have the confidence to think that I could get in to medical school. One day a mentor changed all of that for me. I fell in love with orthopaedic surgery while working as a physical therapist and was encouraged to follow that path. I have taken every opportunity ever since, and created opportunity if there was none. Today, I love my clinical practice of orthopaedic hand and upper extremity surgery but also love my research and innovation, educating, mentoring, and providing opportunity for the next generation.
Lisa L. Lattanza, MD, FAOA, FAAOS
Chair & Ensign Professor, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation; Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery Yale New Haven Health System; Dir. Grad. Studies Masters of Science in Personalized Medicine and Applied EngineeringLeffert "Be your best self and you will find a way. Women are often told they are too much or not enough. There is ample opportunity for all kinds of women in positions of leadership. You just have to find the right environment for you.
Intuition led me to my career path. I always had a strong interest in women’s well-being, and my mother was a role model for having a career at a time when it was not common to do so. I’ve also always been very pragmatic and a problem solver (applied math major in college). I was a healthcare management consultant and venture capitalist more than 30 years ago before medical school. This was great preparation for being an administrator in academic medicine, and faculty development and obstetric anesthesia is in some ways a natural fit."
Lisa Leffert, MD
Nicholas Greene Professor of Anesthesiology Chair, Anesthesiology; Physician-in-Chief of Anesthesiology,Yale New Haven Hospital and Bridgeport Hospital
Liu “Have patience with others, yourself, your projects, and your career aspirations. As a young, motivated and ambitious person, we often seek immediate gratification or want things to accelerate on a quicker time frame than “the process.” Take time to find joy in the little things and reset. In many cases you do not have to pull all-nighters like your procrastinating college days. Be that composed person who takes a step back to frame the big picture and has the grace others want to work with.”
Rachel Liu, BAO, MBBCh, FACEP, FAIUM
Professor of Emergency Medicine; Director, Point of Care Ultrasound Education & Director, Advanced Training Period, Office of Curriculum; Vice Chair of Faculty Affairs, Emergency MedicineKapadia “I entered medical school, inspired by my dad who was a physician. I developed a passion for anatomy, for what it is, to use the psalmist’s words, something that is “fearfully and wonderfully made.” My inspiration through my career that stretched over four decades came from my students. My advice to women at the threshold of their careers is to choose a good mentor, learn to trust your instincts, have confidence to speak out, and do not hesitate to take charge should the opportunity arise. I did not always. Above all be passionate about what you do.”
Shanta E. Kapadia, MBBSLecturer in Surgery (Gross Anatomy)Kashaf “I chose a career path that reflected my values: collegiality, excellence, and service. My biggest role model has been my mother, an ob/gyn, and the first woman in her small city in Iran to go to medical school. Along the way I have been fortunate to have had mentors who inspired, encouraged and pushed me, but also let me follow my own path, at my own pace. I would tell my younger self to get over her imposter syndrome. Everyone is figuring it out as they go. Just because something has been done a certain way doesn’t mean that’s the best way.”
Susan Kashaf, MD, MPHAssociate Professor of Medicine (General Medicine)Kavathas “In 1986 as a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University, the message was everywhere: you could not succeed as tenured faculty at a research university and also have children. There were no role models. After 33 years on the Yale faculty, doing research, teaching, and battling for gender equity, with two children and a husband, today I see role models and success for women. Find your mentors, advocates, an enthusiastic partner, and go for it. What you achieve matters for all women.”
Paula Kavathas, PhDProfessor of Laboratory Medicine, ofImmunobiology, and of Molecular, Cellular andDevelopmental BiologyKazmierczak “Risk and uncertainty are often considered reasons to avoid a career in research—but I find the possibility of observing the unexpected and unanticipated too exciting to pass up.”
Barbara Kazmierczak, PhD, MDGustavus and Louise Pfeiffer ResearchFoundation MD-PhD Program Director;Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) andof Microbial PathogenesisKrause “I have loved my career because I love science and discovery. With the right experiments, the right team of collaborators, and a bit of good fortune, scientists can reveal aspects of the world we didn’t previously know.”
Diane Krause, MD, PhDProfessor of Laboratory Medicine, of CellBiology, and of PathologyLampert “Being a woman in cardiology, doing a combination of clinical care for patients with arrhythmias, and clinical research, has been and continues to be an enormously satisfying career. While being a woman in a mostly male field can occasionally bring challenges, staying focused on why you went into the field—the patients, the clinical questions, the research questions—keeps the work satisfying.”
Rachel Lampert, MDProfessor of Medicine (Cardiology)Landry “When I was 12, I decided to be a physician. My father and mother, who left school to work at 14 and 15, never doubted I could succeed. I was one of only two women medical interns when I started at Yale, but felt at home and stayed. As an academic physician, I am grateful to have contributed in some small way to advances in medical care. I would tell younger women to focus on their goals, ignore the naysayers, and enjoy the journey.”Marie-Louise Landry, MDProfessor and Vice Chair, Laboratory Medicine;Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases)Lattanza Grit, resilience, and tenacity are the most important determinants of success, not where you went to school. Just be you.
I started out in my professional career as a physical therapist. My parents did not have the resources, and I did not have the confidence to think that I could get in to medical school. One day a mentor changed all of that for me. I fell in love with orthopaedic surgery while working as a physical therapist and was encouraged to follow that path. I have taken every opportunity ever since, and created opportunity if there was none. Today, I love my clinical practice of orthopaedic hand and upper extremity surgery but also love my research and innovation, educating, mentoring, and providing opportunity for the next generation.
Lisa L. Lattanza, MD, FAOA, FAAOS
Chair & Ensign Professor, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation; Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery Yale New Haven Health System; Dir. Grad. Studies Masters of Science in Personalized Medicine and Applied EngineeringLeffert "Be your best self and you will find a way. Women are often told they are too much or not enough. There is ample opportunity for all kinds of women in positions of leadership. You just have to find the right environment for you.
Intuition led me to my career path. I always had a strong interest in women’s well-being, and my mother was a role model for having a career at a time when it was not common to do so. I’ve also always been very pragmatic and a problem solver (applied math major in college). I was a healthcare management consultant and venture capitalist more than 30 years ago before medical school. This was great preparation for being an administrator in academic medicine, and faculty development and obstetric anesthesia is in some ways a natural fit."
Lisa Leffert, MD
Nicholas Greene Professor of Anesthesiology Chair, Anesthesiology; Physician-in-Chief of Anesthesiology,Yale New Haven Hospital and Bridgeport Hospital
Liu “Have patience with others, yourself, your projects, and your career aspirations. As a young, motivated and ambitious person, we often seek immediate gratification or want things to accelerate on a quicker time frame than “the process.” Take time to find joy in the little things and reset. In many cases you do not have to pull all-nighters like your procrastinating college days. Be that composed person who takes a step back to frame the big picture and has the grace others want to work with.”
Rachel Liu, BAO, MBBCh, FACEP, FAIUM
Professor of Emergency Medicine; Director, Point of Care Ultrasound Education & Director, Advanced Training Period, Office of Curriculum; Vice Chair of Faculty Affairs, Emergency Medicine
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Mann “Having grown up in the Deep South, I was keenly awareof the range of life circumstances. I saw the results of lifelong poverty but also the importance of culture and community. I chose the field of medicine because I wanted to devote my life to helping those I could help. And I chose pediatrics, because I feel that early life experiences have an indelible impact on the outcome of person's life. Working to improve the life trajectory of any one of those children or families is my daily reward."
Cynthia Mann, MD ‘76Mayes “Each of us has a story that weaves in and out with the lives and stories of those who have shaped us and tried to sweep our path clean as we move forward. This is why I chose a quilt made by my mother for this portrait’s background. Quilts are stories written in fabric. I am at Yale because of so many mentors who listened and gently guided. The greatest gift we can give to those who come after us is the freedom, acceptance, and support to create their story. I am most grateful for the opportunity now to give back.”
Linda Mayes, MDChair and Arnold Gesell Professor of ChildPsychiatry, Pediatrics and Psychology, YaleChild Study CenterMazure “Equity, diversity, and inclusiveness are more a part of our lives than ever before. We see how the resulting balance of views and experience informs us and enriches us. Yet change is difficult and not always welcome. We hope that our efforts to make change inspire you to make lives even better. Be strong, join together—we know that you will. Never give up—we know that you won’t.”
Carolyn M. Mazure, PhDNorma Weinberg Spungen and Joan LebsonBildner Professor in Women’s Health Research;Professor of Psychiatry and of Psychology;Director, Women’s Health Research at YaleMcVicar “I have the privilege of having been the daughter of a woman physician. She was my first role model. There were no day care centers or after school programs. I spent a lot of time in hospitals growing up. My brothers hated it and I loved it. I was instructed to distract a 4-year-old child while my mother put in a peritoneal dialysis catheter at the bedside. It was the strangest rendition of “The Three Little Bears.” I changed my mind in college, but came back to medicine. I’ve never regretted it.”Kathryn McVicar, MDAssistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics(Neurology)McCarthy “I came to this career because of role models who were happy in their specialty; recognizing which of my senses were particularly strong, e.g. visual acuity, rather than hand dexterity; and truly enjoying the diagnostic side of medicine. To my younger self I would say: Embrace your professional identity. To the next generation my advice is: Don’t let the subtle, unconscious, gender bias that you will experience in your daily interactions, interfere with going for what you really want!”
Shirley McCarthy, MD ’79, PhDProfessor Emeritus of Diagnostic RadiologyMcGovern Be open to other perspectives and ideas but think like a scientist. Once you embrace your career path as an experiment you can take risks without fear because well-designed experiments, no matter what they reveal, create new knowledge. Have the courage to reinvent yourself as you accumulate that knowledge. As the 13th century Persian poet Rumi extolled “let the beauty of what you love be what you do.” When we are passionate about things, we see great beauty in them, even when others may not. It is not always easy to follow one’s passions but what a rewarding career you will have even when challenges seem insurmountable.
Margaret McGovern, MD, PhD
CEO, Yale Medicine; Deputy Dean for Clinical Affairs, Yale School of Medicine; Executive Vice President & Chief Physician Executive, Yale New Haven Health SystemMent “The advice I would offer the next generation of women in science is “Never stop questioning.” This has been my mantra for over 40 years at Yale, and I have enjoyed every moment of the journey.”
Laura Ment, MDProfessor of Pediatrics (Neurology); AssociateMinkin Mary Jane Minkin, MD, FACOG
Clinical Professor
Montgomery “Innovations for discovery are always changing and expanding our abilities, but the curiosity to understand is constant. I am fascinated by how cells work, how they communicate and interact with one another, how underlying chemical reactions define cell function and movement, and how all that translates into health or disease. There is so much that needs to be discovered! I take joy from my career in research surrounded by brilliant and energetic colleagues who join me in making scientific discovery a lifelong goal. I encourage the next generation to be fearless—we need all the talent we can get.”
Ruth Montgomery, PhDProfessor; Director, Yale CyTOF Facility;Associate Dean for Scientific AffairsMoreno “Frederick Douglass best described my sentiment of why I ultimately became a child and adolescent psychiatrist: “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” I found in child and adolescent psychiatry an opportunity to understand children in a holistic way, from what they bring to the table to how exposure to their environment has and continues to shape who they are. It is during the treatment of children that I hope to influence their trajectory in a positive and productive way. One of the most rewarding aspects of practicing psychiatry in academia is the ability to teach and learn from trainees.”Claudia Moreno, MDAssistant Professor; Medical Director Child andAdolescent Psychiatric Emergencies, YNHHChildren’s HospitalNgaruiya “On a road less traveled, as a woman physician of color, many sharp turns and roadblocks will mark your path. Expect them. Embrace growth. Rather than becoming disillusioned, remember it is the obstacles that give you the strength and skills to prepare for the next leg of your journey. Don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way. Your mentors will be your greatest aides to success, and will help you to avoid pitfalls. In turn, reach out and help others on your path who need guidance. Finally, take time to enjoy the ride!”Christine Ngaruiya, MD, MSc, DTMHAssistant Professor, Department of EmergencyMedicine in the Section of Global Health andInternational Emergency MedicineNunez “Growth lives outside your comfort zone. But don’t confuse discomfort with failure or inadequacy. Lean into it, learn from it, and let it drive your growth. You have the skills to bridge that gap between where you are and where you want to be. Spend time learning how to communicate effectively. Your logic may be flawless, but it takes more than logic to move people. Feelings, perceptions, and motivations are equally—if not more—important than what is being said. Learn to listen, not just hear.”
Sabrina Nunez, PhD
Associate Professor; Director of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) StrategyNunez-Smith “My most meaningful life experiences have been ones that are high-risk and high-reward. I would tell my younger self to lose the fear. Resist the forces pushing you to conform to historical phenotypes and create new models of success. What we bring to every profession should not be our ability to perform “maleness,” but our diversity of perspective and lived experience that will reveal novel questions and solutions to tackle vexing challenges. I count myself among the fortunate who can combine my curiosities in one job and work every day with the hope of contributing to meaningful change.”
Marcella Nunez-Smith, MD, MHS ’06Associate Professor, of Medicine (GeneralMedicine) and of Epidemiology (ChronicDiseases); Director, Equity Research andInnovation CenterNwanyanwu “I was an activist in college and ophthalmology was the only thing I wanted to wake up in the middle of the night and do. I became a vitreoretinal surgeon who studies health disparities in diabetic retinopathy, so I didn’t have to give up either one. I would tell my younger self: You are powerful beyond measure. God has a very specific plan for your life and you just need to be present, work hard, and do that which you have been called to do. The only thing that should keep you from doing what you want to do is that you don’t want to do it anymore."Kristen Nwanyanwu, MD, MBAAssistant Professor of Ophthalmology andVisual ScienceMann “Having grown up in the Deep South, I was keenly awareof the range of life circumstances. I saw the results of lifelong poverty but also the importance of culture and community. I chose the field of medicine because I wanted to devote my life to helping those I could help. And I chose pediatrics, because I feel that early life experiences have an indelible impact on the outcome of person's life. Working to improve the life trajectory of any one of those children or families is my daily reward."
Cynthia Mann, MD ‘76Mayes “Each of us has a story that weaves in and out with the lives and stories of those who have shaped us and tried to sweep our path clean as we move forward. This is why I chose a quilt made by my mother for this portrait’s background. Quilts are stories written in fabric. I am at Yale because of so many mentors who listened and gently guided. The greatest gift we can give to those who come after us is the freedom, acceptance, and support to create their story. I am most grateful for the opportunity now to give back.”
Linda Mayes, MDChair and Arnold Gesell Professor of ChildPsychiatry, Pediatrics and Psychology, YaleChild Study CenterMazure “Equity, diversity, and inclusiveness are more a part of our lives than ever before. We see how the resulting balance of views and experience informs us and enriches us. Yet change is difficult and not always welcome. We hope that our efforts to make change inspire you to make lives even better. Be strong, join together—we know that you will. Never give up—we know that you won’t.”
Carolyn M. Mazure, PhDNorma Weinberg Spungen and Joan LebsonBildner Professor in Women’s Health Research;Professor of Psychiatry and of Psychology;Director, Women’s Health Research at YaleMcVicar “I have the privilege of having been the daughter of a woman physician. She was my first role model. There were no day care centers or after school programs. I spent a lot of time in hospitals growing up. My brothers hated it and I loved it. I was instructed to distract a 4-year-old child while my mother put in a peritoneal dialysis catheter at the bedside. It was the strangest rendition of “The Three Little Bears.” I changed my mind in college, but came back to medicine. I’ve never regretted it.”Kathryn McVicar, MDAssistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics(Neurology)McCarthy “I came to this career because of role models who were happy in their specialty; recognizing which of my senses were particularly strong, e.g. visual acuity, rather than hand dexterity; and truly enjoying the diagnostic side of medicine. To my younger self I would say: Embrace your professional identity. To the next generation my advice is: Don’t let the subtle, unconscious, gender bias that you will experience in your daily interactions, interfere with going for what you really want!”
Shirley McCarthy, MD ’79, PhDProfessor Emeritus of Diagnostic RadiologyMcGovern Be open to other perspectives and ideas but think like a scientist. Once you embrace your career path as an experiment you can take risks without fear because well-designed experiments, no matter what they reveal, create new knowledge. Have the courage to reinvent yourself as you accumulate that knowledge. As the 13th century Persian poet Rumi extolled “let the beauty of what you love be what you do.” When we are passionate about things, we see great beauty in them, even when others may not. It is not always easy to follow one’s passions but what a rewarding career you will have even when challenges seem insurmountable.
Margaret McGovern, MD, PhD
CEO, Yale Medicine; Deputy Dean for Clinical Affairs, Yale School of Medicine; Executive Vice President & Chief Physician Executive, Yale New Haven Health SystemMent “The advice I would offer the next generation of women in science is “Never stop questioning.” This has been my mantra for over 40 years at Yale, and I have enjoyed every moment of the journey.”
Laura Ment, MDProfessor of Pediatrics (Neurology); AssociateMinkin Mary Jane Minkin, MD, FACOG
Clinical Professor
Montgomery “Innovations for discovery are always changing and expanding our abilities, but the curiosity to understand is constant. I am fascinated by how cells work, how they communicate and interact with one another, how underlying chemical reactions define cell function and movement, and how all that translates into health or disease. There is so much that needs to be discovered! I take joy from my career in research surrounded by brilliant and energetic colleagues who join me in making scientific discovery a lifelong goal. I encourage the next generation to be fearless—we need all the talent we can get.”
Ruth Montgomery, PhDProfessor; Director, Yale CyTOF Facility;Associate Dean for Scientific AffairsMoreno “Frederick Douglass best described my sentiment of why I ultimately became a child and adolescent psychiatrist: “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” I found in child and adolescent psychiatry an opportunity to understand children in a holistic way, from what they bring to the table to how exposure to their environment has and continues to shape who they are. It is during the treatment of children that I hope to influence their trajectory in a positive and productive way. One of the most rewarding aspects of practicing psychiatry in academia is the ability to teach and learn from trainees.”Claudia Moreno, MDAssistant Professor; Medical Director Child andAdolescent Psychiatric Emergencies, YNHHChildren’s HospitalNgaruiya “On a road less traveled, as a woman physician of color, many sharp turns and roadblocks will mark your path. Expect them. Embrace growth. Rather than becoming disillusioned, remember it is the obstacles that give you the strength and skills to prepare for the next leg of your journey. Don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way. Your mentors will be your greatest aides to success, and will help you to avoid pitfalls. In turn, reach out and help others on your path who need guidance. Finally, take time to enjoy the ride!”Christine Ngaruiya, MD, MSc, DTMHAssistant Professor, Department of EmergencyMedicine in the Section of Global Health andInternational Emergency MedicineNunez “Growth lives outside your comfort zone. But don’t confuse discomfort with failure or inadequacy. Lean into it, learn from it, and let it drive your growth. You have the skills to bridge that gap between where you are and where you want to be. Spend time learning how to communicate effectively. Your logic may be flawless, but it takes more than logic to move people. Feelings, perceptions, and motivations are equally—if not more—important than what is being said. Learn to listen, not just hear.”
Sabrina Nunez, PhD
Associate Professor; Director of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) StrategyNunez-Smith “My most meaningful life experiences have been ones that are high-risk and high-reward. I would tell my younger self to lose the fear. Resist the forces pushing you to conform to historical phenotypes and create new models of success. What we bring to every profession should not be our ability to perform “maleness,” but our diversity of perspective and lived experience that will reveal novel questions and solutions to tackle vexing challenges. I count myself among the fortunate who can combine my curiosities in one job and work every day with the hope of contributing to meaningful change.”
Marcella Nunez-Smith, MD, MHS ’06Associate Professor, of Medicine (GeneralMedicine) and of Epidemiology (ChronicDiseases); Director, Equity Research andInnovation CenterNwanyanwu “I was an activist in college and ophthalmology was the only thing I wanted to wake up in the middle of the night and do. I became a vitreoretinal surgeon who studies health disparities in diabetic retinopathy, so I didn’t have to give up either one. I would tell my younger self: You are powerful beyond measure. God has a very specific plan for your life and you just need to be present, work hard, and do that which you have been called to do. The only thing that should keep you from doing what you want to do is that you don’t want to do it anymore."Kristen Nwanyanwu, MD, MBAAssistant Professor of Ophthalmology andVisual ScienceMann “Having grown up in the Deep South, I was keenly awareof the range of life circumstances. I saw the results of lifelong poverty but also the importance of culture and community. I chose the field of medicine because I wanted to devote my life to helping those I could help. And I chose pediatrics, because I feel that early life experiences have an indelible impact on the outcome of person's life. Working to improve the life trajectory of any one of those children or families is my daily reward."
Cynthia Mann, MD ‘76Mayes “Each of us has a story that weaves in and out with the lives and stories of those who have shaped us and tried to sweep our path clean as we move forward. This is why I chose a quilt made by my mother for this portrait’s background. Quilts are stories written in fabric. I am at Yale because of so many mentors who listened and gently guided. The greatest gift we can give to those who come after us is the freedom, acceptance, and support to create their story. I am most grateful for the opportunity now to give back.”
Linda Mayes, MDChair and Arnold Gesell Professor of ChildPsychiatry, Pediatrics and Psychology, YaleChild Study CenterMazure “Equity, diversity, and inclusiveness are more a part of our lives than ever before. We see how the resulting balance of views and experience informs us and enriches us. Yet change is difficult and not always welcome. We hope that our efforts to make change inspire you to make lives even better. Be strong, join together—we know that you will. Never give up—we know that you won’t.”
Carolyn M. Mazure, PhDNorma Weinberg Spungen and Joan LebsonBildner Professor in Women’s Health Research;Professor of Psychiatry and of Psychology;Director, Women’s Health Research at YaleMcVicar “I have the privilege of having been the daughter of a woman physician. She was my first role model. There were no day care centers or after school programs. I spent a lot of time in hospitals growing up. My brothers hated it and I loved it. I was instructed to distract a 4-year-old child while my mother put in a peritoneal dialysis catheter at the bedside. It was the strangest rendition of “The Three Little Bears.” I changed my mind in college, but came back to medicine. I’ve never regretted it.”Kathryn McVicar, MDAssistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics(Neurology)McCarthy “I came to this career because of role models who were happy in their specialty; recognizing which of my senses were particularly strong, e.g. visual acuity, rather than hand dexterity; and truly enjoying the diagnostic side of medicine. To my younger self I would say: Embrace your professional identity. To the next generation my advice is: Don’t let the subtle, unconscious, gender bias that you will experience in your daily interactions, interfere with going for what you really want!”
Shirley McCarthy, MD ’79, PhDProfessor Emeritus of Diagnostic RadiologyMcGovern Be open to other perspectives and ideas but think like a scientist. Once you embrace your career path as an experiment you can take risks without fear because well-designed experiments, no matter what they reveal, create new knowledge. Have the courage to reinvent yourself as you accumulate that knowledge. As the 13th century Persian poet Rumi extolled “let the beauty of what you love be what you do.” When we are passionate about things, we see great beauty in them, even when others may not. It is not always easy to follow one’s passions but what a rewarding career you will have even when challenges seem insurmountable.
Margaret McGovern, MD, PhD
CEO, Yale Medicine; Deputy Dean for Clinical Affairs, Yale School of Medicine; Executive Vice President & Chief Physician Executive, Yale New Haven Health SystemMent “The advice I would offer the next generation of women in science is “Never stop questioning.” This has been my mantra for over 40 years at Yale, and I have enjoyed every moment of the journey.”
Laura Ment, MDProfessor of Pediatrics (Neurology); AssociateMinkin Mary Jane Minkin, MD, FACOG
Clinical Professor
Montgomery “Innovations for discovery are always changing and expanding our abilities, but the curiosity to understand is constant. I am fascinated by how cells work, how they communicate and interact with one another, how underlying chemical reactions define cell function and movement, and how all that translates into health or disease. There is so much that needs to be discovered! I take joy from my career in research surrounded by brilliant and energetic colleagues who join me in making scientific discovery a lifelong goal. I encourage the next generation to be fearless—we need all the talent we can get.”
Ruth Montgomery, PhDProfessor; Director, Yale CyTOF Facility;Associate Dean for Scientific AffairsMoreno “Frederick Douglass best described my sentiment of why I ultimately became a child and adolescent psychiatrist: “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” I found in child and adolescent psychiatry an opportunity to understand children in a holistic way, from what they bring to the table to how exposure to their environment has and continues to shape who they are. It is during the treatment of children that I hope to influence their trajectory in a positive and productive way. One of the most rewarding aspects of practicing psychiatry in academia is the ability to teach and learn from trainees.”Claudia Moreno, MDAssistant Professor; Medical Director Child andAdolescent Psychiatric Emergencies, YNHHChildren’s HospitalNgaruiya “On a road less traveled, as a woman physician of color, many sharp turns and roadblocks will mark your path. Expect them. Embrace growth. Rather than becoming disillusioned, remember it is the obstacles that give you the strength and skills to prepare for the next leg of your journey. Don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way. Your mentors will be your greatest aides to success, and will help you to avoid pitfalls. In turn, reach out and help others on your path who need guidance. Finally, take time to enjoy the ride!”Christine Ngaruiya, MD, MSc, DTMHAssistant Professor, Department of EmergencyMedicine in the Section of Global Health andInternational Emergency MedicineNunez “Growth lives outside your comfort zone. But don’t confuse discomfort with failure or inadequacy. Lean into it, learn from it, and let it drive your growth. You have the skills to bridge that gap between where you are and where you want to be. Spend time learning how to communicate effectively. Your logic may be flawless, but it takes more than logic to move people. Feelings, perceptions, and motivations are equally—if not more—important than what is being said. Learn to listen, not just hear.”
Sabrina Nunez, PhD
Associate Professor; Director of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) StrategyNunez-Smith “My most meaningful life experiences have been ones that are high-risk and high-reward. I would tell my younger self to lose the fear. Resist the forces pushing you to conform to historical phenotypes and create new models of success. What we bring to every profession should not be our ability to perform “maleness,” but our diversity of perspective and lived experience that will reveal novel questions and solutions to tackle vexing challenges. I count myself among the fortunate who can combine my curiosities in one job and work every day with the hope of contributing to meaningful change.”
Marcella Nunez-Smith, MD, MHS ’06Associate Professor, of Medicine (GeneralMedicine) and of Epidemiology (ChronicDiseases); Director, Equity Research andInnovation CenterNwanyanwu “I was an activist in college and ophthalmology was the only thing I wanted to wake up in the middle of the night and do. I became a vitreoretinal surgeon who studies health disparities in diabetic retinopathy, so I didn’t have to give up either one. I would tell my younger self: You are powerful beyond measure. God has a very specific plan for your life and you just need to be present, work hard, and do that which you have been called to do. The only thing that should keep you from doing what you want to do is that you don’t want to do it anymore."Kristen Nwanyanwu, MD, MBAAssistant Professor of Ophthalmology andVisual Science
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Ohno-Machado A passion for medicine and computers drove me to an area that at the time was very obscure: medical informatics. Later computers became popular, electronic records became abundant, and AI became ubiquitous, which was fortunate. Few people were, like me, trained at this intersection, so lots of opportunities became available.
If I could give my younger self or the next generation advice, I would say think big(ger). In a country like the U.S., opportunities are out there waiting to be grabbed and make what others might see as your weakness into your strength.
Lucila Ohno-Machado, MD, MBA, PhD
Waldemar von Zedtwitz Professor of Medicine and Biomedical Informatics and Data Science; Deputy Dean for Biomedical Informatics; Chair, Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data SciencePal “Remember to periodically pause and smell the many roses that will embellish your path. Listen to your inner self, pause often, and reflect. Don’t worry about making mistakes, but remember to learn from them; the possibilities are endless. My mother, who was a professor of ob/gyn in Pakistan and rose to the rank of brigadier in the Pakistan Armed Forces, remains my inspiration and a role model I strive to emulate.”
Lubna Pal, MBBSProfessor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive SciencesRamachandran “It is critical to have mentors who will offer guidance and sponsors who will identify opportunities. Seeking help and guidance is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. It means you recognize your own limitations and understand that you can learn from others. Success is never achieved alone, but with others, so having a team is essential.
I chose my career path as a clinician-scientist because of my patients. I was frustrated that as a clinician, I could sometimes help facilitate small improvements but could not change the system to enable better more transformative care. This led to my training on how to use research to change the policies that motivate the many actors in our health system to improve the care for all our patients, not just a select few.”
Reshma Ramachandran MD, MPP, MHS
Assistant Professor of Medicine (General Medicine)Robert “Being a woman in medicine at Yale has had consequences that, after 26 years, continue to reveal themselves. I have met and continue to meet inspiration, friendship, generosity, and collaboration, and, occasionally, their opposites. My advice to my younger self and to those who follow is to take both criticism and praise less personally, to focus on the many productive interactions with colleagues, to cherish family and friends, and to embody a mindset of service. These considerations and a passion for patient care remain my touchstones in medicine and in life.”
Marie Robert, MDProfessor of Pathology and of DigestiveDiseasesRogers “I have always been driven by my desire to make a difference in the lives of others. I have realized over time that although the innate personal characteristics of creativity and inquisitiveness are important for a scientist, to be truly successful, it is more beneficial to cultivate the traits of perseverance and resilience. I would tell my younger self to never give up. Have the persistence and tenacity to keep going when things get hard and people do not believe that you can accomplish your goals. Sometimes the bumps in the road are life’s way of steering you to achieve greatness."Faye Rogers, PhDAssociate Professor of Therapeutic RadiologyRogers “I am constantly delighted that I am at Yale where I can teach wonderful students, pursue my research interests, and assist as a mentor. I began studying the history of medicine because it fascinated me. My early career veered in many directions and I tried to follow my heart, which led me to move to New Haven to marry and have a family. I managed to carve out time for my scholarly passions, but it was six years before I became a full-time assistant professor. I would urge younger women to find a balance between professional responsibilities and private joys, and to make seeking and achieving that balance a legitimate practice for everyone.”
Naomi Rogers, PhDProfessor in the History of Medicine and ofHistoryRothlin “The approximately 15 species of passerines in various islands of the Galapagos, known as Darwin’s finches, have remarkable differences in their beaks. We now know this is a result of natural selection allowing the different species to adapt to their unique niches. The shape and function of the beaks best suit the environment the birds inhabit. Just as the large ground finch is not required to catch insects in flight as the warbler finch would, one should neither worry about one’s origin, race, background, or gender, nor compare oneself to others. What is important is giving one’s best and being aware of the consequences of one’s actions.”
Carla Rothlin, PhDDorys McConnell Duberg Professor ofImmunobiology and Professor ofPharmacology; HHMI Faculty ScholarRuddle “I offer the following advice to my younger self: Take time for yourself and get more sleep. Throughout college and graduate school and later, when I had children, I was working so hard that I was exhausted a good part of the time. I now realize that much of that “work” was unproductive because it was actually devoted to worry. Something that not many people know about me is that late in life I took up percussion at the instigation of one of my daughters. I now play (rather badly) snare drum and drum set.”
Nancy Ruddle, PhD ’68Professor Emeritus of and Senior ResearchScientist in Epidemiology (Microbial Diseases)Ohno-Machado A passion for medicine and computers drove me to an area that at the time was very obscure: medical informatics. Later computers became popular, electronic records became abundant, and AI became ubiquitous, which was fortunate. Few people were, like me, trained at this intersection, so lots of opportunities became available.
If I could give my younger self or the next generation advice, I would say think big(ger). In a country like the U.S., opportunities are out there waiting to be grabbed and make what others might see as your weakness into your strength.
Lucila Ohno-Machado, MD, MBA, PhD
Waldemar von Zedtwitz Professor of Medicine and Biomedical Informatics and Data Science; Deputy Dean for Biomedical Informatics; Chair, Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data SciencePal “Remember to periodically pause and smell the many roses that will embellish your path. Listen to your inner self, pause often, and reflect. Don’t worry about making mistakes, but remember to learn from them; the possibilities are endless. My mother, who was a professor of ob/gyn in Pakistan and rose to the rank of brigadier in the Pakistan Armed Forces, remains my inspiration and a role model I strive to emulate.”
Lubna Pal, MBBSProfessor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive SciencesRamachandran “It is critical to have mentors who will offer guidance and sponsors who will identify opportunities. Seeking help and guidance is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. It means you recognize your own limitations and understand that you can learn from others. Success is never achieved alone, but with others, so having a team is essential.
I chose my career path as a clinician-scientist because of my patients. I was frustrated that as a clinician, I could sometimes help facilitate small improvements but could not change the system to enable better more transformative care. This led to my training on how to use research to change the policies that motivate the many actors in our health system to improve the care for all our patients, not just a select few.”
Reshma Ramachandran MD, MPP, MHS
Assistant Professor of Medicine (General Medicine)Robert “Being a woman in medicine at Yale has had consequences that, after 26 years, continue to reveal themselves. I have met and continue to meet inspiration, friendship, generosity, and collaboration, and, occasionally, their opposites. My advice to my younger self and to those who follow is to take both criticism and praise less personally, to focus on the many productive interactions with colleagues, to cherish family and friends, and to embody a mindset of service. These considerations and a passion for patient care remain my touchstones in medicine and in life.”
Marie Robert, MDProfessor of Pathology and of DigestiveDiseasesRogers “I have always been driven by my desire to make a difference in the lives of others. I have realized over time that although the innate personal characteristics of creativity and inquisitiveness are important for a scientist, to be truly successful, it is more beneficial to cultivate the traits of perseverance and resilience. I would tell my younger self to never give up. Have the persistence and tenacity to keep going when things get hard and people do not believe that you can accomplish your goals. Sometimes the bumps in the road are life’s way of steering you to achieve greatness."Faye Rogers, PhDAssociate Professor of Therapeutic RadiologyRogers “I am constantly delighted that I am at Yale where I can teach wonderful students, pursue my research interests, and assist as a mentor. I began studying the history of medicine because it fascinated me. My early career veered in many directions and I tried to follow my heart, which led me to move to New Haven to marry and have a family. I managed to carve out time for my scholarly passions, but it was six years before I became a full-time assistant professor. I would urge younger women to find a balance between professional responsibilities and private joys, and to make seeking and achieving that balance a legitimate practice for everyone.”
Naomi Rogers, PhDProfessor in the History of Medicine and ofHistoryRothlin “The approximately 15 species of passerines in various islands of the Galapagos, known as Darwin’s finches, have remarkable differences in their beaks. We now know this is a result of natural selection allowing the different species to adapt to their unique niches. The shape and function of the beaks best suit the environment the birds inhabit. Just as the large ground finch is not required to catch insects in flight as the warbler finch would, one should neither worry about one’s origin, race, background, or gender, nor compare oneself to others. What is important is giving one’s best and being aware of the consequences of one’s actions.”
Carla Rothlin, PhDDorys McConnell Duberg Professor ofImmunobiology and Professor ofPharmacology; HHMI Faculty ScholarRuddle “I offer the following advice to my younger self: Take time for yourself and get more sleep. Throughout college and graduate school and later, when I had children, I was working so hard that I was exhausted a good part of the time. I now realize that much of that “work” was unproductive because it was actually devoted to worry. Something that not many people know about me is that late in life I took up percussion at the instigation of one of my daughters. I now play (rather badly) snare drum and drum set.”
Nancy Ruddle, PhD ’68Professor Emeritus of and Senior ResearchScientist in Epidemiology (Microbial Diseases)Ohno-Machado A passion for medicine and computers drove me to an area that at the time was very obscure: medical informatics. Later computers became popular, electronic records became abundant, and AI became ubiquitous, which was fortunate. Few people were, like me, trained at this intersection, so lots of opportunities became available.
If I could give my younger self or the next generation advice, I would say think big(ger). In a country like the U.S., opportunities are out there waiting to be grabbed and make what others might see as your weakness into your strength.
Lucila Ohno-Machado, MD, MBA, PhD
Waldemar von Zedtwitz Professor of Medicine and Biomedical Informatics and Data Science; Deputy Dean for Biomedical Informatics; Chair, Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data SciencePal “Remember to periodically pause and smell the many roses that will embellish your path. Listen to your inner self, pause often, and reflect. Don’t worry about making mistakes, but remember to learn from them; the possibilities are endless. My mother, who was a professor of ob/gyn in Pakistan and rose to the rank of brigadier in the Pakistan Armed Forces, remains my inspiration and a role model I strive to emulate.”
Lubna Pal, MBBSProfessor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive SciencesRamachandran “It is critical to have mentors who will offer guidance and sponsors who will identify opportunities. Seeking help and guidance is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. It means you recognize your own limitations and understand that you can learn from others. Success is never achieved alone, but with others, so having a team is essential.
I chose my career path as a clinician-scientist because of my patients. I was frustrated that as a clinician, I could sometimes help facilitate small improvements but could not change the system to enable better more transformative care. This led to my training on how to use research to change the policies that motivate the many actors in our health system to improve the care for all our patients, not just a select few.”
Reshma Ramachandran MD, MPP, MHS
Assistant Professor of Medicine (General Medicine)Robert “Being a woman in medicine at Yale has had consequences that, after 26 years, continue to reveal themselves. I have met and continue to meet inspiration, friendship, generosity, and collaboration, and, occasionally, their opposites. My advice to my younger self and to those who follow is to take both criticism and praise less personally, to focus on the many productive interactions with colleagues, to cherish family and friends, and to embody a mindset of service. These considerations and a passion for patient care remain my touchstones in medicine and in life.”
Marie Robert, MDProfessor of Pathology and of DigestiveDiseasesRogers “I have always been driven by my desire to make a difference in the lives of others. I have realized over time that although the innate personal characteristics of creativity and inquisitiveness are important for a scientist, to be truly successful, it is more beneficial to cultivate the traits of perseverance and resilience. I would tell my younger self to never give up. Have the persistence and tenacity to keep going when things get hard and people do not believe that you can accomplish your goals. Sometimes the bumps in the road are life’s way of steering you to achieve greatness."Faye Rogers, PhDAssociate Professor of Therapeutic RadiologyRogers “I am constantly delighted that I am at Yale where I can teach wonderful students, pursue my research interests, and assist as a mentor. I began studying the history of medicine because it fascinated me. My early career veered in many directions and I tried to follow my heart, which led me to move to New Haven to marry and have a family. I managed to carve out time for my scholarly passions, but it was six years before I became a full-time assistant professor. I would urge younger women to find a balance between professional responsibilities and private joys, and to make seeking and achieving that balance a legitimate practice for everyone.”
Naomi Rogers, PhDProfessor in the History of Medicine and ofHistoryRothlin “The approximately 15 species of passerines in various islands of the Galapagos, known as Darwin’s finches, have remarkable differences in their beaks. We now know this is a result of natural selection allowing the different species to adapt to their unique niches. The shape and function of the beaks best suit the environment the birds inhabit. Just as the large ground finch is not required to catch insects in flight as the warbler finch would, one should neither worry about one’s origin, race, background, or gender, nor compare oneself to others. What is important is giving one’s best and being aware of the consequences of one’s actions.”
Carla Rothlin, PhDDorys McConnell Duberg Professor ofImmunobiology and Professor ofPharmacology; HHMI Faculty ScholarRuddle “I offer the following advice to my younger self: Take time for yourself and get more sleep. Throughout college and graduate school and later, when I had children, I was working so hard that I was exhausted a good part of the time. I now realize that much of that “work” was unproductive because it was actually devoted to worry. Something that not many people know about me is that late in life I took up percussion at the instigation of one of my daughters. I now play (rather badly) snare drum and drum set.”
Nancy Ruddle, PhD ’68Professor Emeritus of and Senior ResearchScientist in Epidemiology (Microbial Diseases)
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Sanchez “I chose a career in gastroenterology because of how big a difference I can make in patients’ lives. If your gastrointestinal tract is not working correctly, it can take a huge toll. My particular expertise is motility disorders, which can be complex and difficult to treat. Patients often have symptoms that seem non-specific and are frustrated by years of wrong diagnoses, ineffective treatments, or being told their disorder is “all in their head.” It is rewarding to get to know patients well enough to understand the nuances of their individual conditions, and then to help them in a concrete way.”Mayra Sanchez, MDAssistant Professor of Medicine (DigestiveDiseases); Director, Gastrointestinal MotilityProgramSchwartz Dr. Shwartz received her PhD in molecular biology and biophysics from Yale in 1968. She joined the Yale faculty as associate professor from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1987. In 1989 she became professor of surgery (otolaryngology) and neurobiology. She conducted research that allowed for better management of central tinnitus and provided the basis for cochlear implants for use in the treatment of deafness. She was the second woman president of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology and chaired several committees for the National Institutes of Health. She was professor emeritus of surgery when she died in 2018.
Ilsa Schwartz, MS, PhD ’68Seashore “My Yale interview and my NYU interview were on the same day in 1961. The NYU interviewer said to me “Girls play lacrosse?” when we discussed my non-academic activities. The Yale interviewer said, “We really like your record and would like to invite you to join the incoming class.” That was Yale then and it is still Yale. Having now retired after more than 20 years on the faculty, I look back with gratitude for all that I gained and learned here at Yale and hope that I have given back in kind.”
Margretta Seashore, MD ’65Professor Emeritus of GeneticsShaywitz “I have been fortunate in receiving many scientific awards, including the 2019 Genius Award from the Liberty Science Center and election to National Academy of Medicine. In my career and in my life, I have always put family first and chose to be a stay- at-home mom for my three sons (eldest and then two years later twin sons, three under three) for eight years followed by working at Yale part-time until my children finished high school. Women should know that it does not have to be either career or children, it is possible to follow both yearnings, succeed, and be fulfilled.”
Sally E. Shaywitz, MDAudrey G. Ratner Professor of Pediatrics(Neurology)Sheares “Pulmonary medicine offered me the opportunity to study and improve health equity. Specifically, I have spent my career focused on health disparities that have their roots in systems and structures of poverty. I would tell my younger self to stay bold, don’t be afraid to change course, because while it is good to finish what one starts, it is not necessary for progress. I would tell the next generation of women physicians that someone is going to be the first to discover, lead, and innovate. Why not you?"Beverley Sheares, MDAssociate Professor of Pediatrics(Pulmonology)Silber “Every day is an adventure.”
Andrea Silber, MDAssociate Professor of Clinical Medicine(Medical Oncology)Silva “There is power in community and the collective, and I am grateful to have found that in professional and personal circles. Navigating academia as a first-generation, bicultural Latina and daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants did not come with a roadmap. Yet, a foundation of cultural pride and resilience, guidance from mentors, and support from peers made all the difference. To those beginning their journey, I say: Why not you? Your voice is unique, and it matters. Embrace the unexpected opportunities. Remain curious and approach the unfamiliar with humility. And always make room for joy along the way.”
Michelle Silva, PsyD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry; Director, Connecticut Latino Behavioral Health System, PsychiatrySinha "I chose my career path because I have a passion for understanding what mechanisms drive human behaviors and choices. I would tell my younger self: Speak up and assert yourself more. To the next generation I would say: Follow your passion despite any obstacles, especially those from others."
Rajita Sinha, PhD ’92Foundations Fund Professor of Psychiatry andProfessor in the Child Study Center and ofNeuroscienceSpangler "Years ago, when I arrived at Yale as one of the first woman residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology, there was no way I could have foreseen the journey ahead. On what could only be termed “quite a ride,” I have had the privilege of delivering care to women across their life spans, overseeing the care of the Yale community as director of Yale Health, engaging in academic administration, and joining many colleagues at Yale and beyond to combat sex- based discrimination. My advice to younger colleagues is to hold your expectations loosely— leave room for the unexpected opportunities and discoveries that might transform your career path—and your life."Stephanie S. Spangler, MDVice Provost for Health Affairs and AcademicIntegrity; Clinical Professor of Obstetrics,Gynecology and Reproductive SciencesUniversity Title IX CoordinatorStachenfeld “I would tell younger myself not to allow others to define to me. Some disciplines still believe that innate brilliance is required for success in STEM fields. Some people still believe women can be smart and fastidious but not brilliant. This bias can be internalized and make women vulnerable so they take the long way around to achieve success in coding and high mathematics. Women need women and men as mentors. Women provide environments where genius and talent will flourish. Men understand how to navigate the male-dominated system and insist on taking what is theirs. Both are needed for success.”
Nina Stachenfeld, PhDSenior Research Scientist in Obstetrics,Gynecology & Reproductive SciencesSteitz “Follow your passion. Do not let feelings of inadequacy or doubt impede you. They are natural and plague everyone who feels that they may belong to a disadvantaged minority. Focus on the next step, not some far-distant goal. The rewards of your own accomplishments will sustain you.”
Joan Steitz, PhDSterling Professor of Molecular Biophysics and BiochemistryHoward Hughes Medical Institute InvestigatorStone “Reflecting on my life in medicine, several things stand out that made it profoundly satisfying and rewarding. My choice of profession resonated emotionally and intellectually for me, and this sustained me through difficult times. Having had a stressful childhood, I was drawn to helping children and their families. I had wonderful mentors who encouraged me to become an advocate for physicians and the doctor/patient relationship, for families and for patients, and to be involved in the broader institutions of medicine. To the next generation of women, I would say follow your passion and your values; don’t be afraid to lead.”
Elsa Stone, MDAssistant Clinical Professor in the Child StudyCenterSweasy “I loved learning about DNA as a child and wanted to have a career focused on molecular biology. Around the same time, my young cousin and a close friend succumbed to cancer. These events significantly influenced my choice to study DNA repair and cancer, with the hope of contributing to finding a cure for this disease. I would tell my younger self that my thoughts and opinions are important to voice. I would not let aggressive behavior by others curtail me from sharing my thoughts and opinions. To the next generation, I would say: We need you, your ideas, creativity, and novel thoughts. You are an inspiration and a joy!”
Joann Sweasy, PhDEnsign Professor of Therapeutic Radiology andProfessor of GeneticsTanoue “My advice to younger faculty is to be true to yourself. Adhering to your core values and principles will ensure that you live with integrity. That means you need to understand yourself— what it is that makes you professionally and personally satisfied; what it is that assures you will find joy in your work. Over time, your goals will evolve and change. As long as the decisions guiding those changes align with your values and principles, you will achieve joy in your professional and personal work.”
Lynn Tanoue, MD ’82Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary)Taylor “It’s good to color outside the lines sometimes. Be comfortable with yourself and explore, develop, and nurture your diversity of experiences and thoughts. Even failure is coupled with opportunity if you are open to it. It is true that we often have to work and live within an established structure. Be curious about how it works. Wonder why it developed the way it did. Once you know the history and the mechanics, then you will know how to effect meaningful and lasting change. While you are working to make the world a better place, don't forget to have fun and play along the way.”Laine Taylor, DOAssistant Professor; Associate Medical Director,Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital’s Children’sPsychiatric Inpatient ServiceThande “There was a time in my life when my family struggled financially. We had no health insurance and hence relied on free medical and dental student clinics at a nearby teaching hospital. The clinics were a godsend and part of my inspiration for pursuing a career in academic medicine. My own experience has drawn me to vulnerable communities and made me especially sensitive to the social and economic circumstances surrounding the health of my patients. To my younger self I would say: Seek out peer mentors, senior mentors, and mentors inside and outside of your discipline. Multiple perspectives will give you the best understanding of your environment and the greatest chance to thrive.”
Njeri Thande MDAssistant Professor of Medicine (Cardiology)Thomas “My advice to the next generation is to be yourself. Do not fall in the trap that tries to mold you to be a clone of others. Your success will only be relevant to you if you remain your true authentic self. I spent so much wasted time trying to dress and develop the same vocabulary and mannerisms of what I thought was success personified. What I learned is that success is an inner to outer movement. You cannot be truly successful by just looking the part.”
Donna-Ann Thomas, MDAssistant Professor of AnesthesiologySanchez “I chose a career in gastroenterology because of how big a difference I can make in patients’ lives. If your gastrointestinal tract is not working correctly, it can take a huge toll. My particular expertise is motility disorders, which can be complex and difficult to treat. Patients often have symptoms that seem non-specific and are frustrated by years of wrong diagnoses, ineffective treatments, or being told their disorder is “all in their head.” It is rewarding to get to know patients well enough to understand the nuances of their individual conditions, and then to help them in a concrete way.”Mayra Sanchez, MDAssistant Professor of Medicine (DigestiveDiseases); Director, Gastrointestinal MotilityProgramSchwartz Dr. Shwartz received her PhD in molecular biology and biophysics from Yale in 1968. She joined the Yale faculty as associate professor from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1987. In 1989 she became professor of surgery (otolaryngology) and neurobiology. She conducted research that allowed for better management of central tinnitus and provided the basis for cochlear implants for use in the treatment of deafness. She was the second woman president of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology and chaired several committees for the National Institutes of Health. She was professor emeritus of surgery when she died in 2018.
Ilsa Schwartz, MS, PhD ’68Seashore “My Yale interview and my NYU interview were on the same day in 1961. The NYU interviewer said to me “Girls play lacrosse?” when we discussed my non-academic activities. The Yale interviewer said, “We really like your record and would like to invite you to join the incoming class.” That was Yale then and it is still Yale. Having now retired after more than 20 years on the faculty, I look back with gratitude for all that I gained and learned here at Yale and hope that I have given back in kind.”
Margretta Seashore, MD ’65Professor Emeritus of GeneticsShaywitz “I have been fortunate in receiving many scientific awards, including the 2019 Genius Award from the Liberty Science Center and election to National Academy of Medicine. In my career and in my life, I have always put family first and chose to be a stay- at-home mom for my three sons (eldest and then two years later twin sons, three under three) for eight years followed by working at Yale part-time until my children finished high school. Women should know that it does not have to be either career or children, it is possible to follow both yearnings, succeed, and be fulfilled.”
Sally E. Shaywitz, MDAudrey G. Ratner Professor of Pediatrics(Neurology)Sheares “Pulmonary medicine offered me the opportunity to study and improve health equity. Specifically, I have spent my career focused on health disparities that have their roots in systems and structures of poverty. I would tell my younger self to stay bold, don’t be afraid to change course, because while it is good to finish what one starts, it is not necessary for progress. I would tell the next generation of women physicians that someone is going to be the first to discover, lead, and innovate. Why not you?"Beverley Sheares, MDAssociate Professor of Pediatrics(Pulmonology)Silber “Every day is an adventure.”
Andrea Silber, MDAssociate Professor of Clinical Medicine(Medical Oncology)Silva “There is power in community and the collective, and I am grateful to have found that in professional and personal circles. Navigating academia as a first-generation, bicultural Latina and daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants did not come with a roadmap. Yet, a foundation of cultural pride and resilience, guidance from mentors, and support from peers made all the difference. To those beginning their journey, I say: Why not you? Your voice is unique, and it matters. Embrace the unexpected opportunities. Remain curious and approach the unfamiliar with humility. And always make room for joy along the way.”
Michelle Silva, PsyD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry; Director, Connecticut Latino Behavioral Health System, PsychiatrySinha "I chose my career path because I have a passion for understanding what mechanisms drive human behaviors and choices. I would tell my younger self: Speak up and assert yourself more. To the next generation I would say: Follow your passion despite any obstacles, especially those from others."
Rajita Sinha, PhD ’92Foundations Fund Professor of Psychiatry andProfessor in the Child Study Center and ofNeuroscienceSpangler "Years ago, when I arrived at Yale as one of the first woman residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology, there was no way I could have foreseen the journey ahead. On what could only be termed “quite a ride,” I have had the privilege of delivering care to women across their life spans, overseeing the care of the Yale community as director of Yale Health, engaging in academic administration, and joining many colleagues at Yale and beyond to combat sex- based discrimination. My advice to younger colleagues is to hold your expectations loosely— leave room for the unexpected opportunities and discoveries that might transform your career path—and your life."Stephanie S. Spangler, MDVice Provost for Health Affairs and AcademicIntegrity; Clinical Professor of Obstetrics,Gynecology and Reproductive SciencesUniversity Title IX CoordinatorStachenfeld “I would tell younger myself not to allow others to define to me. Some disciplines still believe that innate brilliance is required for success in STEM fields. Some people still believe women can be smart and fastidious but not brilliant. This bias can be internalized and make women vulnerable so they take the long way around to achieve success in coding and high mathematics. Women need women and men as mentors. Women provide environments where genius and talent will flourish. Men understand how to navigate the male-dominated system and insist on taking what is theirs. Both are needed for success.”
Nina Stachenfeld, PhDSenior Research Scientist in Obstetrics,Gynecology & Reproductive SciencesSteitz “Follow your passion. Do not let feelings of inadequacy or doubt impede you. They are natural and plague everyone who feels that they may belong to a disadvantaged minority. Focus on the next step, not some far-distant goal. The rewards of your own accomplishments will sustain you.”
Joan Steitz, PhDSterling Professor of Molecular Biophysics and BiochemistryHoward Hughes Medical Institute InvestigatorStone “Reflecting on my life in medicine, several things stand out that made it profoundly satisfying and rewarding. My choice of profession resonated emotionally and intellectually for me, and this sustained me through difficult times. Having had a stressful childhood, I was drawn to helping children and their families. I had wonderful mentors who encouraged me to become an advocate for physicians and the doctor/patient relationship, for families and for patients, and to be involved in the broader institutions of medicine. To the next generation of women, I would say follow your passion and your values; don’t be afraid to lead.”
Elsa Stone, MDAssistant Clinical Professor in the Child StudyCenterSweasy “I loved learning about DNA as a child and wanted to have a career focused on molecular biology. Around the same time, my young cousin and a close friend succumbed to cancer. These events significantly influenced my choice to study DNA repair and cancer, with the hope of contributing to finding a cure for this disease. I would tell my younger self that my thoughts and opinions are important to voice. I would not let aggressive behavior by others curtail me from sharing my thoughts and opinions. To the next generation, I would say: We need you, your ideas, creativity, and novel thoughts. You are an inspiration and a joy!”
Joann Sweasy, PhDEnsign Professor of Therapeutic Radiology andProfessor of GeneticsTanoue “My advice to younger faculty is to be true to yourself. Adhering to your core values and principles will ensure that you live with integrity. That means you need to understand yourself— what it is that makes you professionally and personally satisfied; what it is that assures you will find joy in your work. Over time, your goals will evolve and change. As long as the decisions guiding those changes align with your values and principles, you will achieve joy in your professional and personal work.”
Lynn Tanoue, MD ’82Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary)Taylor “It’s good to color outside the lines sometimes. Be comfortable with yourself and explore, develop, and nurture your diversity of experiences and thoughts. Even failure is coupled with opportunity if you are open to it. It is true that we often have to work and live within an established structure. Be curious about how it works. Wonder why it developed the way it did. Once you know the history and the mechanics, then you will know how to effect meaningful and lasting change. While you are working to make the world a better place, don't forget to have fun and play along the way.”Laine Taylor, DOAssistant Professor; Associate Medical Director,Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital’s Children’sPsychiatric Inpatient ServiceThande “There was a time in my life when my family struggled financially. We had no health insurance and hence relied on free medical and dental student clinics at a nearby teaching hospital. The clinics were a godsend and part of my inspiration for pursuing a career in academic medicine. My own experience has drawn me to vulnerable communities and made me especially sensitive to the social and economic circumstances surrounding the health of my patients. To my younger self I would say: Seek out peer mentors, senior mentors, and mentors inside and outside of your discipline. Multiple perspectives will give you the best understanding of your environment and the greatest chance to thrive.”
Njeri Thande MDAssistant Professor of Medicine (Cardiology)Thomas “My advice to the next generation is to be yourself. Do not fall in the trap that tries to mold you to be a clone of others. Your success will only be relevant to you if you remain your true authentic self. I spent so much wasted time trying to dress and develop the same vocabulary and mannerisms of what I thought was success personified. What I learned is that success is an inner to outer movement. You cannot be truly successful by just looking the part.”
Donna-Ann Thomas, MDAssistant Professor of AnesthesiologySanchez “I chose a career in gastroenterology because of how big a difference I can make in patients’ lives. If your gastrointestinal tract is not working correctly, it can take a huge toll. My particular expertise is motility disorders, which can be complex and difficult to treat. Patients often have symptoms that seem non-specific and are frustrated by years of wrong diagnoses, ineffective treatments, or being told their disorder is “all in their head.” It is rewarding to get to know patients well enough to understand the nuances of their individual conditions, and then to help them in a concrete way.”Mayra Sanchez, MDAssistant Professor of Medicine (DigestiveDiseases); Director, Gastrointestinal MotilityProgramSchwartz Dr. Shwartz received her PhD in molecular biology and biophysics from Yale in 1968. She joined the Yale faculty as associate professor from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1987. In 1989 she became professor of surgery (otolaryngology) and neurobiology. She conducted research that allowed for better management of central tinnitus and provided the basis for cochlear implants for use in the treatment of deafness. She was the second woman president of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology and chaired several committees for the National Institutes of Health. She was professor emeritus of surgery when she died in 2018.
Ilsa Schwartz, MS, PhD ’68Seashore “My Yale interview and my NYU interview were on the same day in 1961. The NYU interviewer said to me “Girls play lacrosse?” when we discussed my non-academic activities. The Yale interviewer said, “We really like your record and would like to invite you to join the incoming class.” That was Yale then and it is still Yale. Having now retired after more than 20 years on the faculty, I look back with gratitude for all that I gained and learned here at Yale and hope that I have given back in kind.”
Margretta Seashore, MD ’65Professor Emeritus of GeneticsShaywitz “I have been fortunate in receiving many scientific awards, including the 2019 Genius Award from the Liberty Science Center and election to National Academy of Medicine. In my career and in my life, I have always put family first and chose to be a stay- at-home mom for my three sons (eldest and then two years later twin sons, three under three) for eight years followed by working at Yale part-time until my children finished high school. Women should know that it does not have to be either career or children, it is possible to follow both yearnings, succeed, and be fulfilled.”
Sally E. Shaywitz, MDAudrey G. Ratner Professor of Pediatrics(Neurology)Sheares “Pulmonary medicine offered me the opportunity to study and improve health equity. Specifically, I have spent my career focused on health disparities that have their roots in systems and structures of poverty. I would tell my younger self to stay bold, don’t be afraid to change course, because while it is good to finish what one starts, it is not necessary for progress. I would tell the next generation of women physicians that someone is going to be the first to discover, lead, and innovate. Why not you?"Beverley Sheares, MDAssociate Professor of Pediatrics(Pulmonology)Silber “Every day is an adventure.”
Andrea Silber, MDAssociate Professor of Clinical Medicine(Medical Oncology)Silva “There is power in community and the collective, and I am grateful to have found that in professional and personal circles. Navigating academia as a first-generation, bicultural Latina and daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants did not come with a roadmap. Yet, a foundation of cultural pride and resilience, guidance from mentors, and support from peers made all the difference. To those beginning their journey, I say: Why not you? Your voice is unique, and it matters. Embrace the unexpected opportunities. Remain curious and approach the unfamiliar with humility. And always make room for joy along the way.”
Michelle Silva, PsyD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry; Director, Connecticut Latino Behavioral Health System, PsychiatrySinha "I chose my career path because I have a passion for understanding what mechanisms drive human behaviors and choices. I would tell my younger self: Speak up and assert yourself more. To the next generation I would say: Follow your passion despite any obstacles, especially those from others."
Rajita Sinha, PhD ’92Foundations Fund Professor of Psychiatry andProfessor in the Child Study Center and ofNeuroscienceSpangler "Years ago, when I arrived at Yale as one of the first woman residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology, there was no way I could have foreseen the journey ahead. On what could only be termed “quite a ride,” I have had the privilege of delivering care to women across their life spans, overseeing the care of the Yale community as director of Yale Health, engaging in academic administration, and joining many colleagues at Yale and beyond to combat sex- based discrimination. My advice to younger colleagues is to hold your expectations loosely— leave room for the unexpected opportunities and discoveries that might transform your career path—and your life."Stephanie S. Spangler, MDVice Provost for Health Affairs and AcademicIntegrity; Clinical Professor of Obstetrics,Gynecology and Reproductive SciencesUniversity Title IX CoordinatorStachenfeld “I would tell younger myself not to allow others to define to me. Some disciplines still believe that innate brilliance is required for success in STEM fields. Some people still believe women can be smart and fastidious but not brilliant. This bias can be internalized and make women vulnerable so they take the long way around to achieve success in coding and high mathematics. Women need women and men as mentors. Women provide environments where genius and talent will flourish. Men understand how to navigate the male-dominated system and insist on taking what is theirs. Both are needed for success.”
Nina Stachenfeld, PhDSenior Research Scientist in Obstetrics,Gynecology & Reproductive SciencesSteitz “Follow your passion. Do not let feelings of inadequacy or doubt impede you. They are natural and plague everyone who feels that they may belong to a disadvantaged minority. Focus on the next step, not some far-distant goal. The rewards of your own accomplishments will sustain you.”
Joan Steitz, PhDSterling Professor of Molecular Biophysics and BiochemistryHoward Hughes Medical Institute InvestigatorStone “Reflecting on my life in medicine, several things stand out that made it profoundly satisfying and rewarding. My choice of profession resonated emotionally and intellectually for me, and this sustained me through difficult times. Having had a stressful childhood, I was drawn to helping children and their families. I had wonderful mentors who encouraged me to become an advocate for physicians and the doctor/patient relationship, for families and for patients, and to be involved in the broader institutions of medicine. To the next generation of women, I would say follow your passion and your values; don’t be afraid to lead.”
Elsa Stone, MDAssistant Clinical Professor in the Child StudyCenterSweasy “I loved learning about DNA as a child and wanted to have a career focused on molecular biology. Around the same time, my young cousin and a close friend succumbed to cancer. These events significantly influenced my choice to study DNA repair and cancer, with the hope of contributing to finding a cure for this disease. I would tell my younger self that my thoughts and opinions are important to voice. I would not let aggressive behavior by others curtail me from sharing my thoughts and opinions. To the next generation, I would say: We need you, your ideas, creativity, and novel thoughts. You are an inspiration and a joy!”
Joann Sweasy, PhDEnsign Professor of Therapeutic Radiology andProfessor of GeneticsTanoue “My advice to younger faculty is to be true to yourself. Adhering to your core values and principles will ensure that you live with integrity. That means you need to understand yourself— what it is that makes you professionally and personally satisfied; what it is that assures you will find joy in your work. Over time, your goals will evolve and change. As long as the decisions guiding those changes align with your values and principles, you will achieve joy in your professional and personal work.”
Lynn Tanoue, MD ’82Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary)Taylor “It’s good to color outside the lines sometimes. Be comfortable with yourself and explore, develop, and nurture your diversity of experiences and thoughts. Even failure is coupled with opportunity if you are open to it. It is true that we often have to work and live within an established structure. Be curious about how it works. Wonder why it developed the way it did. Once you know the history and the mechanics, then you will know how to effect meaningful and lasting change. While you are working to make the world a better place, don't forget to have fun and play along the way.”Laine Taylor, DOAssistant Professor; Associate Medical Director,Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital’s Children’sPsychiatric Inpatient ServiceThande “There was a time in my life when my family struggled financially. We had no health insurance and hence relied on free medical and dental student clinics at a nearby teaching hospital. The clinics were a godsend and part of my inspiration for pursuing a career in academic medicine. My own experience has drawn me to vulnerable communities and made me especially sensitive to the social and economic circumstances surrounding the health of my patients. To my younger self I would say: Seek out peer mentors, senior mentors, and mentors inside and outside of your discipline. Multiple perspectives will give you the best understanding of your environment and the greatest chance to thrive.”
Njeri Thande MDAssistant Professor of Medicine (Cardiology)Thomas “My advice to the next generation is to be yourself. Do not fall in the trap that tries to mold you to be a clone of others. Your success will only be relevant to you if you remain your true authentic self. I spent so much wasted time trying to dress and develop the same vocabulary and mannerisms of what I thought was success personified. What I learned is that success is an inner to outer movement. You cannot be truly successful by just looking the part.”
Donna-Ann Thomas, MDAssistant Professor of Anesthesiology
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Vaccarino “All of us, men and women alike, have gone through difficult times professionally, and it is easy to think and focus on all the “wrong” that has been inflicted upon us. Focusing on this will make us complainers and victims. Doing that has not brought me any good. What has been good in my experience has been to focus on what I can do well, and how I can contribute to others’ intellectual strengths, career advancements, and life. And one of the best things that I could do in response to perceived blows was to respond with humor. That was a definite winner.”
Flora Vaccarino, MDHarris Professor in the Child Study CenterProfessor in the Department of NeuroscienceVazquez “Advising my younger self, I would say: Felicidades! Spend more time being your own best friend instead of your harshest critic. Keep working hard, as effort and dedication are the energy propelling your engine. Embrace your mistakes because they are part of your education; on the other side of failure your better self awaits. Value and celebrate what makes you different—don’t fight that you may think, believe, speak, dream, look, eat, or even dance differently from others. And, most importantly, jamas olvides tus raices (never forget where you came from).”
Marietta Vázquez, MDAssociate Professor of Pediatrics (GeneralPediatrics); Vice-Chair for Diversity, Equity andInclusion, Department of PediatricsVining “Becoming a physician and surgeon is both an incredible privilege and an overwhelming responsibility, with rewards and challenges that have been too numerous to count. The learning curve through the education and training was so steep and intense, I entered my practice and family life with the same intensity, but I think I should have reset my tempo at that point. As women physicians we have so many opportunities, but we can pace ourselves. We don’t have to be superwomen. It’s OK to say no to opportunities if the timing isn’t right. It’s OK to get help, especially with household chores.”
Eugenia M. Vining, MD ’87Assistant Professor of SurgeryWang “Life will be more complicated than you imagined. You are here because others have fought for the privileges you now enjoy. Your successes and failures are not just your own but are grounded in a past collective struggle and are the roots for future generations. So, rise up, stand tall, and center your efforts on the hard work that brings you joy.”
Emily Wang, MDAssociate Professor of Medicine (GeneralMedicine)Vaccarino “All of us, men and women alike, have gone through difficult times professionally, and it is easy to think and focus on all the “wrong” that has been inflicted upon us. Focusing on this will make us complainers and victims. Doing that has not brought me any good. What has been good in my experience has been to focus on what I can do well, and how I can contribute to others’ intellectual strengths, career advancements, and life. And one of the best things that I could do in response to perceived blows was to respond with humor. That was a definite winner.”
Flora Vaccarino, MDHarris Professor in the Child Study CenterProfessor in the Department of NeuroscienceVazquez “Advising my younger self, I would say: Felicidades! Spend more time being your own best friend instead of your harshest critic. Keep working hard, as effort and dedication are the energy propelling your engine. Embrace your mistakes because they are part of your education; on the other side of failure your better self awaits. Value and celebrate what makes you different—don’t fight that you may think, believe, speak, dream, look, eat, or even dance differently from others. And, most importantly, jamas olvides tus raices (never forget where you came from).”
Marietta Vázquez, MDAssociate Professor of Pediatrics (GeneralPediatrics); Vice-Chair for Diversity, Equity andInclusion, Department of PediatricsVining “Becoming a physician and surgeon is both an incredible privilege and an overwhelming responsibility, with rewards and challenges that have been too numerous to count. The learning curve through the education and training was so steep and intense, I entered my practice and family life with the same intensity, but I think I should have reset my tempo at that point. As women physicians we have so many opportunities, but we can pace ourselves. We don’t have to be superwomen. It’s OK to say no to opportunities if the timing isn’t right. It’s OK to get help, especially with household chores.”
Eugenia M. Vining, MD ’87Assistant Professor of SurgeryWang “Life will be more complicated than you imagined. You are here because others have fought for the privileges you now enjoy. Your successes and failures are not just your own but are grounded in a past collective struggle and are the roots for future generations. So, rise up, stand tall, and center your efforts on the hard work that brings you joy.”
Emily Wang, MDAssociate Professor of Medicine (GeneralMedicine)Vaccarino “All of us, men and women alike, have gone through difficult times professionally, and it is easy to think and focus on all the “wrong” that has been inflicted upon us. Focusing on this will make us complainers and victims. Doing that has not brought me any good. What has been good in my experience has been to focus on what I can do well, and how I can contribute to others’ intellectual strengths, career advancements, and life. And one of the best things that I could do in response to perceived blows was to respond with humor. That was a definite winner.”
Flora Vaccarino, MDHarris Professor in the Child Study CenterProfessor in the Department of NeuroscienceVazquez “Advising my younger self, I would say: Felicidades! Spend more time being your own best friend instead of your harshest critic. Keep working hard, as effort and dedication are the energy propelling your engine. Embrace your mistakes because they are part of your education; on the other side of failure your better self awaits. Value and celebrate what makes you different—don’t fight that you may think, believe, speak, dream, look, eat, or even dance differently from others. And, most importantly, jamas olvides tus raices (never forget where you came from).”
Marietta Vázquez, MDAssociate Professor of Pediatrics (GeneralPediatrics); Vice-Chair for Diversity, Equity andInclusion, Department of PediatricsVining “Becoming a physician and surgeon is both an incredible privilege and an overwhelming responsibility, with rewards and challenges that have been too numerous to count. The learning curve through the education and training was so steep and intense, I entered my practice and family life with the same intensity, but I think I should have reset my tempo at that point. As women physicians we have so many opportunities, but we can pace ourselves. We don’t have to be superwomen. It’s OK to say no to opportunities if the timing isn’t right. It’s OK to get help, especially with household chores.”
Eugenia M. Vining, MD ’87Assistant Professor of SurgeryWang “Life will be more complicated than you imagined. You are here because others have fought for the privileges you now enjoy. Your successes and failures are not just your own but are grounded in a past collective struggle and are the roots for future generations. So, rise up, stand tall, and center your efforts on the hard work that brings you joy.”
Emily Wang, MDAssociate Professor of Medicine (GeneralMedicine)