I was inspired to enter medicine by watching TV dramas about physicians: M*A*S*H, Trapper John, M.D., and Quincy (who said TV was a waste of time?). I was drawn to the field by the type of work they did, the impact they had on the lives of their patients, and their ability to struggle with difficult situations while keeping a strong moral compass. Later in life, when I had much less time to watch TV, I worked in pediatrics and neonatal intensive care, where I found my calling. I was truly inspired by the real-life doctors who embodied the values that I wanted to live by, and I have since dedicated my professional life to this work.
The clinical work I do in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is driven by my training and my own experiences. I focus on providing the highest-quality care and truly patient- and family-centered care. Being able to deliver this level of care is the most rewarding aspect of my work, and it is only made possible by the extensive teamwork we are fortunate to have in the NICUs where I work. Communicating with families by incorporating them into rounds and the decision-making process allows us to function at this high level, and many of my research efforts and quality improvement projects have aligned with these principles.
I was drawn to work in an academic medical center setting as I have a passion for teaching, quality improvement and family-centered care. My love for teaching is reflected in my roles as program director for the fellowship in neonatal–perinatal medicine, running the point of care ultrasound (POCUS) program for the division, working on simulation-based training curricula and models for medical students, residents, and fellows, and my work as the director for faculty development for the Department of Pediatrics.
