Meet Paula Dellamura, Senior Administrative Assistant, Infectious Diseases

I work as a senior administrative assistant for Dr. Rick Altice, a clinician, clinical epidemiologist, and intervention and implementation science researcher in the Section of Infectious Diseases. My duties include scheduling and maintaining his participation in meetings, events, lectures, and mentorship activities; coordinating international travel; and assisting in the ongoing preparation and submission of multiple grants and publications.

I am also project coordinator for two National Institutes of Health Fogarty International Center research training grants (Malaysian Implementation Science Training-MIST in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Georgian Implementation Science Fogarty Training-GIFT in Tbilisi, Georgia). My role as project coordinator involves the logistical organization and preparation of international trainees in the U.S., communication with faculty mentors and program participants to arrange for domestic and international travel, coordination of conference arrangements, and development of presentation materials. I also work closely with the coordinator and leadership teams from the host institutions in Malaysia and Georgia to coordinate the activities of the annual implementation science boot camps.

I am super proud to be part of a Yale team that travels to Southeast Asia and Central Asia annually to deliver an intensive three-day boot camp training to provide opportunities for Malaysian and Georgian PhD students and researchers to broaden the scope of their education to include implementation science techniques and research to address disparities and discrimination in underrepresented groups. The training has grown in popularity, and attendance has more than quadrupled, from 50 attendees in year one to 250 in year four. The boot camp is well attended by practitioners, local NGOs, and members of the Ministry of Health.

This opportunity has allowed me to learn and grow as a team member and an attendee over the past five years of the project. My behind-the-scenes support is impactful and valuable to the capacity-building educational efforts our Yale faculty members deliver to low- and middle-income countries so that they may learn, grow, and care for their communities.

I’ve learned that it’s about the role, not the title.

The most rewarding part of my career at Yale is the friendships and acquaintances I have made over the past 25 years. I have met some of the most generous and committed people here—truly, the brightest, kindest souls that I have had the privilege of spending every day with. What stands out most is everyone’s eagerness to share their knowledge, a true commitment to education.

I enjoy being part of a team of “people who help people.” Over the years, I have watched from the sidelines as my colleagues mentor students on the academic side, help patients in need on the clinical side, and extend a hand to those experiencing substance use disorders and health disparities on the research side. For years, the outreach and mentorship I observed inspired me to learn more as I, too, wanted to be part of that. I learned how to be part of a truly functioning team that has undoubtedly made an enormous difference in so many communities. I have the deepest admiration for each member of our team.

During my time at Yale, I’ve had the privilege of earning a master’s degree in public health, and my colleagues could not be more supportive. My exceptional, one-of-a-kind mentor, Julia Rozanova, kept me engaged and driven and would not let up until I published my thesis (thank you, Julia!). It is so rewarding to learn from the brightest and the best!

I have been a licensed hairdresser for the last 40 years. Still passionate about hairdressing, I continue to serve clients on nights and weekends as I find the field creative, fun, and social. It was a childhood dream that I continue to enjoy to this day! Taking the time to listen to my clients’ needs, coupled with good time management skills required in the salon business, has translated to my current duties at Yale and has helped me understand the importance of good listening and organizational skills in every field of business.

When I was struggling with the intimidating decision of going back for my master’s at the age of 50, my son said to me, “Mom, as long as you can think, you can learn.” And so I did. My advice to others is to go outside your comfort zone, as we are all capable of so much more than we realize. Stay driven and view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, as tenacity is more important to success than talent.

The Department of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine is among the nation's premier departments, bringing together an elite cadre of clinicians, investigators, educators, and staff in one of the world's top medical schools. To learn more, visit Internal Medicine.