Mentors
My mentoring team started with Alfred H. Kim, MD, PhD, an energetic researcher and lupus advocate, who helped develop a personalized mentor team for me and provided necessary support and guidance during my application for the grant.
Both Dr. Kim and WUSOM Rheumatology Research Director Seth Eisen, MD, MS, supported me in research endeavors, and assisted me in preparing an abstract I presented at ACR Convergence 2020. This abstract was based on research regarding the prevalence and persistence of depression in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Prabha Ranganathan, MD, while teaching me essential clinical skills, also taught me how valuable the integration of the humanities is to medical professionals in practice. Our discussions of classic literature intermixed with clinical dialogue cultivated a rich perspective of people and their stories.
Dr. Parks dedicated time to training me in musculoskeletal ultrasound in the procedure clinic. Her support has been immeasurably helpful. She has provided me with valuable examples of seeing your patients beyond their medical diagnoses, caring about other aspects of their lives and learning how they are affected by their disease.
Lisa Zickuhr, MD, an assistant professor of medicine and associate clerkship director for internal medicine, has supported me through inclusion in preexisting curriculum used for training rheumatology fellows. Lisa Burnitt, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, has both advocated for and supported me in my first year as an advanced practice provider. Dr. Zickuhr and Dr. Burnitt have given me the opportunity to observe and participate in the education of MD and NP students.
Michael Paley, MD, PhD, a dedicated physician-scientist, has provided subspecialty training and support in the Ocular Rheumatology Clinic. Dr. Paley’s patient-centric practice framework has been formative in how I think about treatment plans for my patients and incorporate multi-specialty collaboration to optimize care.
Maria Gonzalez-Mayda, MD, has been my collaborating physician at Casa de Salud, where we volunteer once a month in a rheumatology clinic for uninsured patients. This clinic primarily serves non-English speakers. Dr. Gonzalez practices holistically, considering the cost burden of each lab and medication used. With Dr. Gonzalez as an example, I have developed a better understanding of how to use resources well for my patients’ best interests—and recognize the vast barriers to care that non-English speakers face in the U.S.
My collaborating physician, Colin Diffie, MD, has provided day-to-day support and facilitated biweekly discussions regarding our patients in the Vasculitis and Rare Disease Clinic. Dr. Diffie exemplifies empathy, demonstrating the need to take the time to understand the unique challenges a patient may be encountering outside the clinic.