Meet Koeun Choi from New York. She attended Stony Brook Medical School, and is a PGY-1 in the Traditional Internal Medicine Residency Program.
What led you to pursue a career in medicine?![]()
I was very struck by the health disparities I witnessed in rural Ecuador as a young high schooler, and from then on I threw myself into whatever opportunities I could find both locally and abroad to tackle health inequity.
What are your goals after you complete residency? Where do you see yourself?
Either in Infectious Disease or Liver disease, and hopefully multiple locations around the world as I balance a clinician/researcher lifestyle!
Why did you choose Yale IMed for your residency?
Yale IM is a program filled with huge movers and shakers of their fields, with so much institutional support for research and innovation. I am inspired everyday to be working with both attendings and peers who are so knowledgeable, but what really stands out to me is how the hospital and residency program as a culture focuses on our health and mental well being. People in the program genuinely care about who I am as a person and are willing to offer steps to help achieve my professional and personal goals.
Describe your experience at Yale IMed in 3 words.
Inspirational, knowledgeable, kind.
What is your fondest memory at Yale thus far?
There's been too many to name! Even during the few short months I've been at Yale during pandemic times we've had socially distanced small group picnics with our program director, been funded for dinners with peer mentors, hikes/bike, and runs to breweries/rooftop socials with our color blocks (#yellowblockbestblock!).
Who has had the greatest influence on you, and why?
My parents for instilling in me a foundation of caring for others and a strong work ethic.
If you could say anything to your younger self, what would you say?
Plan your fourth year vacation plans for the months of January/February and no later...But more seriously, throw yourself into new opportunities and don't try to recreate the wheel. Don't be afraid to reach out to others for advice and mentorship!
What's a fun fact about you?
I lived for a year in South Africa while doing HIV/TB research with Dr. Sheela Shenoi (at a Yale J&J site that many third years visit during their global health elective!)
What is one piece of advice you'd give someone who is applying for residency?
Don't stress! You've already put in the hard work to be the best applicant you can be on paper. When you're interviewing, you're judging the programs to see if it's a good fit for you! (Also, if you feel like Yale residents seem super chill and happy—it's a pretty honest first impression)
What have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments since the beginning of the pandemic?
Thinking about the safety and well-being of my family members.
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.