What is your role at Yale School of Medicine (YSM)? ![]()
I am the Operations Manager for the Section of Infectious Diseases in Internal Medicine. I bridge the vision and aims of the section with department leadership from a regulatory, financial, and logistical standpoint.
Have you been involved in any projects that you are particularly proud of?
I was fortunate to engage in the logistics planning and implementation of a Mobile Health Unit (InSTRIDE team) that focuses on four at-risk geographic territories in Connecticut and Texas with the aim of improving linkage to HIV prevention and treatment and opioid use disorder services for criminal justice-involved individuals. My small contribution in the overall process involved working with different university departments to draft agreement language for outside providers, considering how billing would operate in a mobile setting with a distinction between research and non-research patients, discussing parking, projecting gas expenses, and shepherding/advising on requests to the sponsor. I’m excited to see how the project progresses and am proud to have been involved in any capacity.
Why did you decide to work at YSM?
My original career path in nursing shifted after gaining beneficial insight into the job’s demands from a half-year internship in my local ER. I received my degree in economics but maintained interest in the industry of patient care. I found the Portfolio Associate position three years ago and thought it would be the perfect intersection of healthcare and finance. I’ve remained in the section of Infectious Diseases throughout my time at Yale under different titles.
How did you become interested in your line of work?
I started at Yale aiding researchers with the financial management of their research funds, in a position that directly reported to my current role (Operations Manager). My manager at the time would thoughtfully loop my colleague and I into macro-level section tasks so we had exposure to other facets that comprise the department. I found many of the responsibilities interesting and used the opportunity to reflect on where my career at the university could extend.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
The opportunity to extrinsically peer into the work and passions of the faculty in our department is the foremost rewarding aspect of the position (and other positions in the business office alike). Building a relationship with the faculty and learning about their focus firsthand is a special benefit that most careers can’t offer.
Why do you love working at Yale?
Yale offers and promotes the opportunity to grow through career and personal aspirations. Routing oneself in a culture of higher education lends itself to thoughtful insights, strong connections, and a better understanding of truly meaningful work. From day one at the university, I felt a sense of support in my role with a simultaneous push to explore my ambitions and broaden my scope. In maintaining this healthy balance, I’ve challenged myself and solidified my career foundation.
What is a fun fact about you?
Over the past winter, my friends and I jumped in Long Island Sound for 90 days consecutively. It was a great mental game; physically refreshing; and we had increased face time with each other (even if for only a few minutes). We look back fondly on the memories created with an understanding that our lives have since shifted and repeating the daily tradition is no longer viable. At least we will be warm this upcoming winter.