Meet Renée Maria Saliby, MD, MSc, from Beirut, Lebanon. She attended Saint Joseph University, and is a PGY-1 in the Traditional Internal Medicine Residency Program.
What led you to pursue a career in medicine?
Growing up, I spent a lot of time on the patient side of things, dealing with severe asthma, scoliosis, and the discovery that I had only one kidney. Along the way, I met incredible physicians whose support and compassion made me feel reassured and seen, and I always thought I wanted to make others feel the same way. In high school, one of the requirements for the French Baccalaureate was a group research project. My friends and I chose to study doping in sports, which led me to dive deep into human physiology to understand how different drugs affected the body. That was when I realized how much I loved learning about the human body. At the same time, I had always been involved in volunteer work, so a career in medicine—where I could serve others while staying constantly curious and amazed by human physiology—felt like the perfect fit.
What are your goals after you complete residency? Where do you see yourself?
After residency, I want to pursue a fellowship in hematology-oncology. The field has made incredible progress in recent years, but there’s still so much to do for patients. I’m especially drawn to genitourinary malignancies, particularly kidney cancer—a disease that challenges our understanding of both immunology and oncology. I definitely see myself in academic medicine, giving back the mentorship and opportunities I’ve been fortunate to receive. I hope to contribute to the field through translational research while also being there for my patients every step of the way.
Why did you choose Yale for your internal medicine residency?
I grew up watching movies and series where incredible people went to Yale—it always felt like a distant dream. After moving to the U.S. in 2021, I had the opportunity to visit YNHH and rotate with my co-mentor, Dr. David Braun. That experience opened my eyes to the incredible culture here—one of collaboration, curiosity, and support. Working with Dr. Braun and being surrounded by one of the best immunobiology and oncology departments in the country only solidified my decision. Finally, interviewing with Dr. Mark Siegel and seeing firsthand the culture of kindness, support, and excellence that defines Yale IMed made it clear that this was where I wanted to train.
Describe your experience at Yale Internal Medicine in 3 words.
Empowering, inspiring, humbling.
What is your fondest memory at Yale thus far?
I’ve only been at Yale for six months, but it feels like I’ve known my colleagues—my friends—forever. We’ve already made so many memories together, from birthday parties and day trips to fall adventures, snow tubing, and singing our hearts out after watching musicals.
Who has had the greatest influence on you, and why?
Over the past few years, I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by world experts and thought leaders. While their influence on me is undeniable, the most deeply rooted impact on everything I do comes from my parents and family. My parents are the most upstanding and kind-hearted people I know. I grew up with loyalty and generosity as core values—principles they instilled in me from an early age. Seeing their happiness when they were able to help, support, and uplift others is something I inherited. The other day, a patient’s wife told me, "You have more compassion in your little fingers than five people combined." At that moment, I knew exactly where that came from—my parents and my upbringing. They have always led by example, prioritizing my brother and me above their own needs, ensuring we felt supported and that our happiness always came first. At the same time, they instilled a strong work ethic, setting high expectations for our education and always pushing me to be the best version of myself (which, admittedly, came with some pressure). But they also made sure I knew that there was nothing I couldn’t achieve. Everything I’ve accomplished is thanks to them—their love, their sacrifices, and the values they have passed down to me.
If you could say anything to your younger self, what would you say?
I’ve always been someone who focuses on the next step, the next accomplishment, the next big goal—thinking that happiness will come once I get there. But during a difficult time, my dad kept reminding me, "Enjoy the journey." And he was right. Things have a way of working out, and even when they don’t, every moment still matters. Looking back on everything that brought me to where I am today, I wish my younger self had known just how bright the future would be. I’d tell her to trust the process, embrace the highs and lows, and enjoy every step along the way.
What's a fun fact about you?
I survived an electrocution as a kid! On a less “shocking” note, two of the coolest hobbies I’ve tried are flying trapeze and surfing, and I’d love to practice them more often.
What is one piece of advice you'd give someone who is applying for residency?
Match season can be incredibly anxiety-provoking, but it’s also a valuable time to reflect on your goals, priorities, and passions while connecting with others. Make sure to choose a program that truly empowers you and provides the resources to help you achieve your dreams. Most importantly, being surrounded by kind and supportive people makes all the difference, you should never have to navigate tough experiences alone.
The Department of Internal Medicine at Yale is among the nation's premier departments, bringing together an elite cadre of clinicians, investigators and educators in one of the world's top medical schools. To learn more, visit Internal Medicine.