What do you do now?

I am currently a Clinical Epidemiologist working for the Center for Evidence-Based Policy at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). The center operates independently of the university. We provide technical assistance for state Medicaid programs and work on state-specific projects, primarily for New York State.

I joined the center after five and a half years as the Chief Medical Officer for Delaware Medicaid, where I served as the clinical lead for all Medicaid-related matters in the state. Immediately after residency, I moved to Philadelphia to participate in the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Fellowship, a two-year health policy research fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania.

Who were your mentors in residency?

So many fantastic people! I have to mention Jeff Borkan, who, of course, is a giant in the family medicine world—but so humble and unbelievably approachable. He helped me think about non-traditional career paths and what a job involving both policy and medicine could actually look like. He was fantastic, and I connected with him multiple times after residency to help make decisions about what to do next.

Melissa Nothnagle was the residency director when I started, and she was an inspiration in terms of comprehensive reproductive health and all the ways family medicine doctors can help people—whether they are having children or not.

Fadya El Rayes was fabulous to work with as well.

Rabin Chandran—just a brilliant man! An unbelievable clinician and also the only attending who came to dig out my driveway on the morning of a huge snowstorm when I said I was going to be late because I couldn't get my car out in time for rounds. He showed up, and instead of just giving me a ride to the hospital, he hopped out of his car with a shovel and actually started digging it out with me.

So many great people. I have super fond memories of working with them and really felt very supported and taken care of.

What is something you learned as a resident that you have regularly gone back to throughout your career? 

The importance of taking things just one piece at a time. Because when you sit back and look at everything a resident does in a single day, it's completely overwhelming.

And if I had gone into every day thinking, I have to get all of this done, I would have been paralyzed. So having a little list and checking things off as I go—it really makes a huge difference to take things in bite-sized pieces.

What advice do you have for current residents? 

This is a truly unique time in your life and career—seize the opportunity to learn things that won’t be as easy to pick up once you’re out of training.

Do you still keep in touch with members of your residency?

Oh yes, absolutely! A couple of months ago, three of us had a mini residency reunion weekend. And yes, I have regular text threads with some of my co-residents.

What are you most proud of in your career? 

I am most proud of the fact that, even though I am not seeing patients on a day-to-day basis—since I now have a more administrative and academic role—I am still doing work that impacts care for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. And that is something I feel family medicine truly takes to heart.