Women Faculty at Rush

Bio

I am a breast surgeon who is committed to providing multidisciplinary, evidence-based care to every single patient I encounter.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was drawn to the field by my interest in women’s health and cancer care.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I am most excited by the opportunity to work with some truly excellent colleagues, and by the immense potential that the job affords me.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I think that mentoring is extremely important. I had a great mentor as a resident who was very supportive of my ambitions and helped me secure an amazing fellowship.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Study a lot, be as prepared as you can be on your surgical rotations and find a good mentor.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I like reading, traveling, watching movies and spending time with my kids.

Bio

It is true that it has been a long time since I graduated from medical school. I enjoyed every day since graduation knowing exactly what I wanted to do, curing sick hearts. What else better than dealing with children. They are so innocent. Hence my decision early on to choose pediatric cardiology as my career. I did 2 pediatric residencies, 2 pediatric cardiology fellowships, a master degree in pediatric sciences and endless number of clinical interactions with my patients. No regrets what so ever.

What inspired you to get into your field?

The anatomy (the structure) and physiology(function) of the heart fascinated me early on in medical school. It took me one time, and one time only to understand how the heart works. I always loved children and wanted to be in close encounter with them. What else other than pediatric cardiology? The decision was clear in my mind. Hard way but full of joy.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I liked working at Rush because everyone truly care about providing the best for patients.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

This is not an easy road. But, if you like it, you’ll enjoy every moment of it.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

Walking, jogging, swimming and reading.

Bio

I am a specialist in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics with additional specialty training in Infectious Diseases. I participate in research as site Principal Investigator with IMPAACT (The International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials group), a global collaboration of investigators and institutions with the purpose of conducting clinical trials that treat and prevent HIV infection and its consequences in infants, children, adolescents and pregnant/postpartum women. I am also a co-investigator with the adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group. I have clinical expertise in HIV infection, as well as pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. I also have experience in the management of Pediatric HIV infection and in the prevention of maternal to child transmission of HIV. I also have an interest in Pediatric Infectious diseases, Global Health and Tropical Infectious Diseases.

What inspired you to get into your field?

Infectious Disease physicians not only have to understand medicine, but also the human spirit. As true diagnosticians, we have to have knowledge that covers so many different fields of medicine and crosses the human experience. I realized that I could best care for families when I did work globally because my training in ID naturally incorporated tropical medicine, public health and epidemiology.

What excites you about your work at Rush?

I have been given the opportunity to do very fulfilling work, both within the Internal Medicine and Pediatrics department, which has allowed me to serve the most vulnerable patients in the city of Chicago. Rush made it possible for me to be able to enjoy this work while still pursuing scientific and scholarly activities.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Mentorship is key to really taking your career to the next level. As a mentor, there is nothing more fulfilling than seeing the ultimate realization of the potential of a trainee. Many of us are where we are in our careers because a sponsor advocated for us behind closed doors. We should never forego the chance to be a sponsor for someone who deserves it.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Don’t leave your passion and love for medicine behind. This field is for those who want to be all-around excellent clinicians and advocates for their patients, while still specializing in Infectious Diseases. While a seemingly daunting task, this field is one of the most fulfilling and worth all the hard work.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I try to spend as much time as possible with my three wonderful children, who put work and life in medicine into perspective. Any extra time I have I enjoy using to attend concerts, performing arts and fine arts productions, traveling and playing sports.

Bio

I am the Senior Associate Dean at Rush Medical College. In this role, I have oversight of the educational program, including curriculum and assessment, student affairs, admissions and recruitment, and technology. I have been an integral part of the development and implementation of Rush Medical College’s integrated curriculum, which premiered in September 2017 and features a flipped classroom approach and integration of all components of the pre-clerkship curriculum. I have served on the faculty at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago since completing my residency and chief residency in Internal Medicine at Rush in 1991. I have a Masters in Health Professions Education and am currently working on my PhD in Curricular Studies/Medical Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I am a general internist who practices in both the inpatient and outpatient settings at RUMC.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I love to take care of patients from a holistic point of view. I love to teach, and I want to make our education programs the best that they can be.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I love the people I get to work with on a day-to-day basis, and I love the patients we care for.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I really enjoy developing relationships with junior colleagues.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Go for it!

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I like to spend my free time with my family, dining in restaurants, biking, golfing and participating in other activities.

Tell us about your background.

I serve as director of the Section of Addiction Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry at Rush. I am a diplomat of the American Board of Addiction Medicine, a fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and an associate professor at Rush Medical College. I am also a graduated senior scholar of the internationally recognized Alcohol Medical Scholars Program. This organization’s website provides the college drinking presentation for teaching and reference, which I created. I am also an active member of the American Board of Addiction Medicine. I received my medical degree from Chicago Medical School in 1988 after completing my undergraduate studies at Loyola University Chicago.

My recent appointments include chairperson of the Rush Professional Advocacy Committee and Wellness Liaison Advisor. I also teach and organize addiction medicine curricula for medical students and residents. I serve as assistant director for medical resident Training on the SAMHSA-supported grant-funded program, “Rush University Life Course Screening Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment.” I recently presented  “The Science of Addiction” and served as a panelist at the 2016 National Association of Community Health Center’s Chicago Expo. I have given grand rounds presentations on alcohol use disorders, substance use disorders, substance use disorders in the older adult, college drinking, SBIRT and hallucinogens. Other participation has included the Schwartz Center Rounds event, “Heroin in Our Hallways,” as well as the Kennedy Forum’s On the Table Your Voice Matters event, “Revisiting Opioids: New Strategies for Proper Use, Abuse Prevention and Treating Addiction.”

What inspired you to get into your field?

My focus of interest is addiction medicine. I treat patients, and I teach medical students, residents and colleagues. I chair the professional advocacy committee, which offers support to impaired medical professionals.

What excites you about your work at Rush?

I completed my psychiatry residency at Rush University Medical Center in 1992 and consider Rush my home.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

Without mentorship, one often feels untethered. That was certainly true in my case early in my career and contributed to depression and impairment. Now, as a physician in recovery, my message is, “Learn from your mistakes. Ask for help. Get a mentor. Don’t keep secrets.”

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Professional isolation is never a good idea. I never feel alone at Rush.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I am a mother, a wife, a physician, a daughter, a sister and a friend. Time left over is spent enjoying the simple things. On occasion, I love to travel, ride horses and eat donuts.

Bio

I completed my undergraduate degree at Kansas University in 1971, my PhD at Michigan State in 1976, and my post doctoral work at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta in 1978. I became Assistant Professor of Immunology, at Rush in 1978. I also worked for many years at Rosalind Franklin University until I returned to Rush where I served as Co-Director of the Chicago Center For AIDS Research.

What inspired you to get into your field?

My interest in immunology.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

The excitement of discovery that comes with doing original research is what I love about my work at Rush. I also love he joy of training graduate students.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Having a mentor is critical. Have more than one for different things.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Do what you love. Work hard but don’t forget about the importance of work/life balance.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy reading, knitting, beading, and spending time with kids and grandkids.

Bio

I have been a respiratory therapist for over forty years, and I have held a variety of administrative, clinical, and teaching roles. My current research focuses on professional education topics, patient education, and asthma.

What inspired you to get into your field?

My brother and father both have asthma. I saw how limited health information made it difficult for the to manage their asthma. Becoming a respiratory therapist was my opportunity to improve the lives of my family and those of other families.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Rush provides an excellent environment for teamwork among health professionals and tremendous opportunities for academic and clinical collaboration.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Mentoring is important for everyone entering both the clinical and academic phases of his or her career. We need to teach our students and colleagues about mentoring so that they have the skills to seek mentors if a formal program is not available. Part of this education should include how sponsorship differs from mentoring.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Respiratory care is still a relatively young profession. As a result, there are tremendous growth opportunities in leadership, education and research.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy spending time with family and friends, travel, performing arts, biking and knitting.

Bio

After completing my Family Medicine residency, I came to Rush for a Geriatric Medicine Fellowship. Afterwards, I stayed on as faculty.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I really enjoy the challenge of caring for highly complex and frail, older adults and the relationships that form between the patient, caregiver and the physician.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Rush offers an increasingly supportive environment for learning, research and clinical care for patients across a spectrum of socioeconomic backgrounds.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I strongly believe in the importance of mentorship and sponsorship. This is essential in a person’s professional and personal development. These are relationships that take time to build and to develop. As a mentee, you also have a responsibility to your mentor and sponsor to be prepared with an agenda, to be accountable and respectful of your mentor’s time and to set realistic expectations. Most importantly, you need to be open to feedback from your mentors.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Be passionate and love what you do. Enjoy your work, but also make sure you have interests outside of your daily work.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I have two working line German Shepherd dogs that I train in Schutzhund or IPO/IGP. I also enjoy travel and sport photography.

Tell us about your background.

I am an associate professor in the Department of Neurological Sciences. I hold board certification in neurology, central clinical neurophysiology and epilepsy. I am also the director of the electroencephalography laboratory. My areas of research interest include sudden death in epilepsy, psychiatric co-morbidities in epilepsy, psychogenic non-epileptic seizures and electroencephalography.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I want to make life better for people with epilepsy, and I am so fortunate to be able to work toward this goal every day in my clinic and the EEG lab.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

My team at the Rush Epilepsy Center is like no other. I am proud to work beside them every day.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

Mentoring is key for professional growth and success. Mentors don’t need to be in your immediate vicinity.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Find a topic or field that excites you and keeps you keep going every day, then stick to it. A good team makes all the difference.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I spend most of my free time with my kids and my family. I also run weekly with a group of amazing people who keep me motivated and moving.

Tell us about your background.

I am a professor of Pediatrics, Neurosurgery and Neurological Sciences at Rush University. I have a BS in chemistry from the University of Notre Dame and an MD and PhD in biochemistry from the University of Chicago. After completing a pediatrics residency and a pediatric neurology fellowship at the University of Chicago, I moved to Rush in 1992. In 1991, I established the comprehensive Fragile X Clinic and Research Program, through which I provide care to more than 600 patients with fragile X syndrome. My research has included studies of medical issues, epilepsy and psychopharmacology in FXS, the characterization of neurological problems in FXTAS, and, in particular, translational work in FXS including outcome measures and biomarkers, and the design and implementation of clinical trials of new targeted treatments in FXS. My laboratory studies the cellular role of fragile X mental retardation protein, the relationship between FMRP and clinical function, and methods for optimizing genetic testing in fragile X-associated disorders. More recently, I have expanded my translational work to other developmental and degenerative disorders, including Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, Phelan McDermid syndrome, Angelman syndrome and Niemann-Pick type C.

I am on the advisory boards of the FRAXA Research Foundation and the National Fragile X Foundation, and I am the chair of the clinical committee of the Fragile X Clinical and Research Consortium. I have received numerous awards and honors, including the Jarrett Cole Award for clinical work in FXS in 2002, the FRAXA Champion Award in 2011, the NFXF William and Enid Rosen Research Award in 2014, the March of Dimes Jonas Salk Research Award in 2015, the American Academy of Neurology Sidney Carter Award in Child Neurology in 2016, and the John Merck Fund Sparkplug Award in 2016.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I wanted to understand everything about how neurons and the brain function, make thoughts, and learn.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

The opportunity to work on diagnosing, understanding and developing new treatments for rare, genetic, neurological diseases in children is what excited me about my work at Rush.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

Mentorship is an important way to work intensively with a mentee and to teach by example. It allows for the transfer of research and clinical expertise to the mentee though direct exposure and is very important for the preparation of students. It helps them with the development of independent projects and shows the mentee how to build projects and areas of specialty.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Develop an interest in a particular disease or condition and pursue it avidly, building your program as you go. Listen to your mentors and patients and learn from them. Try new things and don’t give up easily.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy running, basketball, tennis, traveling, bridge, board and card games, and spending time with my family and friends.

Tell us about your background.

I am an endocrinologist, and I am particularly interested in weight/obesity management, complex lipid problems and cardiometabolic risk reduction.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I truly believe that food and movement are medicine (and I practice what I preach). Endocrinology allows me to emphasize the importance of lifestyle every day. It’s rewarding to see people make these changes with guidance and see results! I also appreciate that the whole goal in endocrinology is to achieve balance and homeostasis in everything.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Rush has been such a great place to work, as I’ve already had the opportunity to collaborate and work in a weight loss clinic and am in the process of starting an integrated metabolic center with other providers who are passionate about the same things I am.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

Mentorship is absolutely vital. It is one of the greatest gifts to be able to see someone’s true potential and guide them in harnessing their best. Without the guidance from my mentors, I would not have had the courage to follow my passions.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Persevere! Don’t be afraid of hard work but find your balance. Doing things you’re passionate about will make the tough days easier. Network with as many people as you can. Women, find your strength and value internally so that external comments don’t affect you.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I have more hobbies than time allows for! At the top of my list are yoga, running and hiking. I’ve been learning more meditation and recently attended a 10-day silent meditation course. I’m in the process of starting improv classes and also enjoy cooking, arts/crafts and interior designing.

Bio

I am a neurointensivist at Rush and provide care to patients with large strokes, intracerebral hemorrhages, subarachnoid hemorrhages, and other neurological disorders that require ICU level care.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I enjoy the complexity of the patients in this field and like the fast pace of the ICU.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

The aspect of teamwork.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

Good mentorship is critical for growth and development.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Spend enough time in the ICU to make sure that it is something you are truly passionate about before you choose your career.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I spend most of my free time with my family.

Bio

I received my BS from the University of Dayton and my medical degree from Rush Medical College. I am a practicing internist, an associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Rush Medical College, and a senior physician advisor for the American Medical Association, and until recently, I was a member of the board of governors of the American College of Physicians. I have served as co-director of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and as chair of the ABIM’s Internal Medicine Test-Writing Committee. I was a member of the operations committee for the National Diabetes Education Program (sponsored by CDC/NIH and ACP Quality Faculty), and I am a frequent guest lecturer at academic, national and international health care conferences. My areas of expertise include practice transformation, joy in medicine, adult immunizations, medication adherence and diabetes.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was inspired to join internal medicine by my love of science and of people!

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I love that Rush’s faculty is very focused on the welfare of its patients and on the social determinants of health.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Mentoring is of undeniably great importance.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Shadow experienced medical professionals, and always be open to whatever opportunities come your way!

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy exercising and playing tennis.

Bio

I earned my MS and PhD degrees in the field of biostatistics at the University of Iowa and have been working in this field for more than ten years.

Bio

I am a faculty member in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Palliative Medicine. I completed medical school, my Internal Medicine residency and the Pulmonary & Critical Care Fellowship at Rush. I completed the Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine Fellowship at Northwestern. My areas of clinical & academic interest are at the intersection of palliative care and critical care or pulmonary medicine.

What inspired you to get into your field?

My mentors, throughout my training, have encouraged me and challenged me to seek out my specific areas of personal interest. I love the detail and complexity of Critical Care and the humanistic aspects of Palliative Care.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

The people I work with at Rush. My colleagues, trainees, and patients are the best part of my job.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Mentoring is absolutely essential to growing as a professional.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Seek what you love.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I love playing volleyball and exploring Chicago.

Bio

I am a Professor in the Department of Neurological Sciences at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. I graduated from Smith College and the University of Cincinnati Medical College. I completed my training in Neurology, Movement Disorders and Sleep Disorders at Rush University Medical Center. I am an active member of the Movement Disorders Society, for which I serve on the Executive Committee, the Congress Scientific Programming Committee and the Continuing Medical Education Committee. I am also Chair of the Education Committee, Secretary of the Society, Chair of the Publications Oversight Committee and Chair of the Leadership Task force. I am an active member of the American Academy of Neurology, for which I serve on the Science Committee, the Annual Meeting Subcommittee, the editorial board of Continuum and the Board of Directors of the AAN institute. I am also Chair of the Education Committee.

My research on Parkinson’s Disease includes evaluating new therapies and examining the effects of exercise. I have been active in Dystonia research, working to develop new rating scales for Dystonia and new applications for botulinum toxins. I chair the Dystonia Study Group and serve on the Steering Committee of the Dystonia Coalition. I am the author or co-author of more than 165 articles, reviews, research papers, books, and book chapters about various topics, including Parkinson’s Disease, Dystonia, Sleep-Related Movement Disorders, Restless Leg Syndrome, and botulinum toxin. I recently completed leadership training provided by the Sonoma Systems Leadership Challenge and Leadership Challenge facilitator training.

What inspired you to get into your field?

During my senior residency year in Internal Medicine, I did a Neurology rotation with Dr. Christopher Goetz, a Movement Disorders specialist, who reminded me of my love of Neurology and Neuroanatomy. This led to my second residency in Neurology and subsequent training in Movement Disorders. I have loved this field ever since.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I have greatly enjoyed the experience of being a clinician caring for patients, a researcher answering relevant clinical questions, an educator with the privilege of teaching younger physicians, medical students and the community, and a mentor to those who are interested in becoming Movement

Tell us about your background.

I grew up on the southern shore of Massachusetts. I was an undergraduate at the College of the Holy Cross, where I became involved with sleep research in the laboratory of Amy Wolfson, MD. In 2000, I graduated with a BA in Psychology and moved to Chicago, where I was a research assistant in the Biological Rhythms Research Laboratory at Rush University under the direction of Charmane Eastman, MD. After three years as a research assistant, I moved back to the East Coast to go to graduate school. I earned a PhD in experimental psychology at Brown University under the mentorship of Mary Carskadon, MD, and many other wonderful scientists.

In 2009 I came full circle back to Rush, and I am currently an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry, where I study sleep and circadian timing in humans. My research program is funded by the National Institute of Health and focuses on understanding basic circadian physiology and sleep behavior during adolescence, as well as on developing and testing strategies to correct circadian misalignment, the mismatch between sleep and the circadian system that is often experienced by teens in middle and high school.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was inspired to join this field by experiences I had during my early college years and by mentors who encouraged me to seek out novel experiences.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I love that I get to work with amazing people on the problem of insufficient sleep, which impacts a large majority of adolescents today.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

Mentoring is a great way to learn from other people’s experiences, and the only way you can learn from others is by asking, observing and keeping an open mind. We can never assume that we know it all. Sponsorship is critical to professional advancement, and sponsoring a mentee that doesn’t think or look like us can only enhance and diversify science and health care.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Don’t be afraid to talk to senior scientists in the field.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I spend my free time with my husband and daughter.

Bio

I graduated from Rush Medical College in 2007, and subsequently pursued a residency in internal medicine at Rush University Medical Center. I joined Rush University Internists in 2010.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I wanted to develop long-lasting relationships with my patients and help them achieve a meaningful quality of life.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I love the vast opportunities to provide high quality patient care and to develop my professional career in the area of medical education.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I have been fortunate enough to find and work with some outstanding mentors who have gone above and beyond to help me achieve my professional goals.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Identify your inner values, because they will help you decide which type of medical work you would most like to pursue. In doing so, you can find professional fulfillment.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I love to scuba dive and downhill ski, and I also greatly enjoy spending time with my husband and two little girls. We like to travel and learn about other cultures.

Tell us about your background.

I completed my physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at University of Texas Southwestern and my pediatric rehabilitation fellowship at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. I currently care for patients with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, traumatic brain injuries, and other congenital or neurological injuries that can affect normal development in childhood.

What inspired you to get into your field?

The chance to change the lives of children with disabilities and improve their comfort, care and quality of life drew me to my specialty.

What excites you about your work at Rush?

It is a wonderful hospital system that was missing a pediatric rehabilitation program. I was excited to develop a new program in a place where there was a great need.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

It is a wonderful opportunity and can be beneficial to everyone involved when you are able to match with someone who has time in their schedule and has common career paths or ideals.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Do as much as you can in the way of clinical rotations, volunteering and research.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy traveling to new places, exercising, dancing, entertaining family and friends, and cooking.

Bio

I graduated from Loyola University of Chicago and went on to get my PhD at the University of Illinois at Chicago. My research & clinical work focus on novel treatments for depression and anxiety.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I love working together with people to enhance resiliency and strength.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Rush is a hospital that serves the community.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Mentoring is a part of the foundation to building an academic career. I wouldn’t be where I am without the support and knowledge gained from my mentors.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Psychology is a very competitive field, when faced with criticism or rejection, find that nugget of information that helps you grow and set the rest aside.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I love having a relaxing dinner and going to see a play where you escape to another place.

Tell us about your background.

I am an associate professor the in the departments of Neurosurgery and Preventive Medicine, Rush Medical College, and acting chief of the Section of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in the Department of Neurosurgery, where I see patients with pain and functional problems related to neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. I also direct the Rush Program for Abdominal and Pelvic Health and chair the Rush Women’s Leadership Council, while serving on the ADA Committee and Diversity Leadership Committee.

I have published numerous scientific manuscripts, book chapters and articles, and I lecture locally and nationally. My research interests include pelvic wellness, health equity, the health benefits of physical activity — in particular in underserved populations — and pain, function and visceral fat in women at menopause. I received my bachelor’s degrees in biology from the University of Chicago and physical therapy from Northwestern University and my medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. I did my internship at the University of Chicago in internal medicine and my residency at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago in PM&R. Prior to coming to Rush, I was on the faculty at the Harvard Medical School and worked at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Massachusetts General Hospital.

What inspired you to get into your field?

Growing up with my brother, Terry, who has cerebral palsy opened my eyes to the different ways people can be in the world and turned me into a very inclusive person. I was fascinated with the biomechanical issues that Terry had to deal with to make his way in the world. I was an athlete and participated in college sports, which made me a very team-oriented person. I have experienced the joy of pregnancy and delivering and the changes related to menopause, experiences which have deepened my strong interest in women’s health and fuel my research on the benefits of physical activity.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

My clinical work brings me in contact with other patient-centered providers who understand that collaborating leads to better patient care. My research work broadens my understanding of the need to get community input to solve the ongoing struggles we have locally and nationally that perpetuate health disparities.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

Mentoring and sponsorship have been a constant, positive force that has guided my career and the various paths I have taken, such as my transition from being a physical therapist to a doctor.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Follow your heart. Be sure to pass on your knowledge, your energy and your passion for what you love best and others will pick up on it and open up new opportunities to you. Taking care of others and using research to solve health problems is an immense privilege that will continue to fuel you.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

Family time is key to me. I try to keep myself fueled with regular physical activity, including yoga. Music also soothes my soul.

Bio

I am currently an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Division Chief of the Division of Hospital Medicine at Rush University Medical College. I earned my bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College in political science and biology. Prior to entering medical school, I worked on Capitol Hill for the Senate HELLP Committee under Senator Edward Kennedy as a health policy legislative assistant. After my time in DC, I went on to complete my medical degree at the University of Buffalo and my master’s degree in Public Health (concentration in health policy) at Yale University. I trained at Yale University/Griffin Hospital in New Haven, CT in both internal and preventive medicine. I have worked as an academic hospitalist for the past ten years, serving on the faculty at Boston University, the University of Miami, and Rush. My work improving communication skills in the inpatient setting has received national recognition. In addition to inpatient care, I am very active in the medical college. I am Director of the Rush University Medical College Leader Curriculum and the required, fourth year, ‘Clinical Bridges’ course. I am also active in hospital operations, and I co-chair the Rush Readmissions Work Group. I have published and spoken extensively both locally and nationally regarding the Affordable Care Act and national health care policy, perioperative medicine, and the HCAHPS survey/effective patient-physician communication. I was named one of the ACP’s Top Hospitalists of 2015 and was selected to serve as a member of the Society of Hospital Medicine’s Public Policy Committee. Throughout my career, I have won numerous awards, including recognition for excellence in medical student/resident teaching and leadership, and I was recently named a fellow by the American College of Physicians.

What inspired you to get into your field?

The seeds of my inspiration were planted at a young age. My grandmother, an OB/GYN and one of the first female physicians in Kolkata, India, provided care for all who needed it, regardless of their social or economic status. A pioneer of preventive medicine, she put together a team of nurses, social workers, students, and physicians who spent countless hours educating poor communities about the then taboo topic of birth control and ensuring access to good nutrition during pregnancy. My grandmother taught me my first lessons in medicine: health care is a team sport, prevention is the key to health, and good health care should be available to all. My grandmother’s lessons have resonated with me over the years, and I have tried to follow in her footsteps. Returning to India after many years abroad, I was granted a fellowship to work with Mother Teresa and was assigned to Kalighat, the Home for Death and Dying. Many of the patients were young, poor, and dying from AIDS, which was rampant in India at the time. With limited resources, our group of volunteers, including physicians and nurses from all around the world, put together a community outreach program to educate at-risk populations and facilitate access to early medical care for those who were already infected. Out of a heartbreaking situation came help for others through team based prevention, education, and access. I then returned to the United States and realized that many of the same inequities I experienced in India were also present here. Over the ensuing years of employment, I set off on a journey to explore different methods from which to improve our health care system. While working in Washington for Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Congressman John J. LaFalce, at the National Association of People with AIDS, as well as at the American College of Preventive Medicine, I had the opportunity to work with lawyers, physicians, lobbyists, researchers, and members of Congress on macro-level health care issues that are dear to my heart. We advocated for bills which would provide every American with high quality, safe healthcare coverage and crafted legislation that strengthened our health care safety net, including funding for preventive services. We also demanded that healthcare be considered a right and not a privilege. My work experience has shown me how inequities in the healthcare system can be addressed through substantive, strong public policy crafted by a multi-profession team that is passionate about these issues and whose members have experience working in the system. While working in Washington, I also realized that healthcare providers have a special role to play in society. They are trusted by patients and respected by policy makers. This allows them to be strong and effective advocates/leaders for change. This played a role in my decision to attend medical school, complete a residency in internal and preventive medicine, and specialize as a physician in academic hospital medicine. I understood that this was a field where I could work on the main themes of my career: 1) access to safe, high quality care, 2) prevention of disease, and 3) team collaboration and process improvement.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I was excited by the ability to work, teach, and improve care delivery in an environment that is incredibly supportive of collaboration and innovation.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Both mentorship and sponsorship have been crucial for helping me get to where I am today, and I strive to provide the same opportunities for others. My previous division chief, Dr. Amir Jaffer, served as both my mentor and sponsor. He opened up opportunities for me in academic hospital medicine, including bringing me to Rush when he moved here from the University of Miami. I worked hard to be worthy of the trust he showed in me. I have found the most productive mentorship/sponsorship relationships are when both parties are invested and work hard to help each other. My experience as a mentor has been to serve as the following: Rush Medical College faculty advisor to the Class of 2018 (for their 3rd/4th years of medical school), faculty advisor to the Class of 2022 (1st year students), Division Chief for Hospital Medicine, which includes meeting with each faculty member (we have over 60) for biannual reviews and ensuring that each faculty member has adequate mentorship to help him/her achieve his/her goals.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Yes. Regarding academics, I would want new faculty to know, that whatever your interests are, don’t expect to have time buyouts or stipends given to you when you first begin working. Those will come with time, but first, you have to demonstrate your interest in your topic- and work on it without any support. The more you find a niche that interests you and is unique to you, the easier it will be to succeed academically. The more specific you can be when defining your niche, the better. “Education” is fairly vague, but ‘teaching fourth year medical students about quality and safety improvement methodology’ is much better. As hospitalists, we are uniquely situated to improve how our institution functions. While it can be frustrating that the pace of change can sometimes be glacial, the more innovative, thoughtful, (and resource conscious) you are, the higher your odds of being able to create sustainable change.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I just had a baby! My son, Bodhi, is three months old, so I currently spend most of my free time with him. But, BB (before baby), I enjoyed running (I have run the Chicago Marathon twice), avidly following politics, exploring restaurants around the city, and rescuing dogs (I also have two pups whom I adore - Lobo and Izzie).

Bio

I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania, my medical degree at Northwestern University, and my residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. I have served as the Medical Director of Rush University Internists, Rush Primary Care and now Earvolino & Associates. I am also a member of a variety of committees.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I have always wanted to care for patients.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I enjoy the people I work with and the diverse patient population.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Unfortunately, I have not had the time to participate in these types of relationships.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Make sure that your work is your passion.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I have four children who keep me very busy. I also keep busy with cooking, reading, and exercising.

Bio

I established the Biological Rhythms Research Lab in 1985. During my tenure, I have served as the PI on ten different NIH R01 grants, totaling fifty-eight years, and about $16,000,000 in funds. My work is currently supported by three NIH R01s (I serve as PI on one and co-investigator on two). For more information, please click on the green “Professor” link above.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I am an extreme night owl, so that got me interested in basic research on human circadian rhythms, with an emphasis on night owls, night shifts work and jet lag.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I had a couple of graduate students who were participants in the Neuroscience graduate program.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I like to watch old Star Trek episodes, especially the series Voyager because the captain is a woman who is both strong and competent, but she is also empathetic. The ship is full of people who work well together, just like a lab should be. The way she runs her ship is the way I’ve always tried to run my lab. She is my role model.

Bio

I am the Co-Director of the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program of Illinois, which is called CATCH-ON and is based at Rush University Medical Center. I am an Associate Professor of Geriatric and Rehabilitation Psychology at Rush, and I co-direct Rush’s Center for Excellence in Aging. I am currently the Chair of the American Psychological Association (APA) Committee on Aging, and I am a past-President of the APA Society for Clinical Geropsychology. I am also a board-certified geropsychologist, and serve as a board examiner for the American Board of Professional Psychology.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I have always been fascinated by the mind-body connection, thus health psychology is a perfect fit. My first clinical placement was in a physical medicine rehab facility,where I primarily saw older adults. I found myself learning more from them than they were getting from me. Their stories showed me how exciting working with older adults can be. Since then, I have thoroughly enjoyed learning from my older adult patients and teaching others how to work with older adults.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I work with amazing teams of people who are incredibly committed to health, particularly in health equity. The work we are able to do together is 1000 times more powerful than any of us can do on our own.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Mentoring can open doors to understanding and opportunities that trainees and junior faculty would never have considered. My mentors have offered me insight and roles I never would have known were possible, and in doing so, they have catapulted my career forward. I would not be where I am today without my mentors.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Talk with others who are in the field – maybe even approach them with a cold call. Identify an article they’ve written or a project they’ve worked on that is particularly interesting to you and talk with them about their experience with it.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I love to cook, travel, kickbox, and, when the mood strikes, I love to paint.

Bio

I have been teaching in the medical laboratory science program for over twenty years. I started my career at Rush working in the clinical microbiology laboratory, and I have since been fortunate enough to teach microbiology in a variety of programs at Rush, including the Medical College, the Advanced Practice Nursing Program, the Physician Assistant Studies Program, and the B.S. in Health Sciences Program. I am also involved in accreditation as a site visitor and peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission, the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), and the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). I currently serve on the Board of Directors for NAACLS and as a Commissioner on the ARC-PA.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I first became interested in science and medicine while watching TV shows like Quincy, M.E. and Fantastic Voyage as a kid. In college, my favorite subjects were immunology and microbiology, and my interest in these subjects led me to study them in graduate school. I became interested in medical laboratory science as a profession while working in a clinical microbiology laboratory, isolating and identifying organisms. Every time I see the vital impact that laboratory tests have on patient care, I am further energized to stay and recruit others into this fantastic profession.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Medical laboratory science is an exciting profession with lots of opportunity. Seventy percent of medical decisions are based on the results of laboratory tests, and so it is vital that medical laboratory scientists be well-educated and certified to perform high-quality tests. Rush University produces clinical laboratory personnel of the highest caliber, and I am proud that my position gives me the ability to teach the next generation of lab professionals.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

We all benefit from having both formal and informal mentors. I have been watching and learning from my colleagues since I started my career, and whether they know it or not, my mentors have helped shape the type of professional I am today. I am honored to be able to mentor others directly through the mentoring program and indirectly through my actions.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Just do it! Medical laboratory science is an extremely worthwhile profession with lots of leadership opportunities and much potential to contribute to excellent patient care. Our profession is growing, and the medical world is finally realizing the true value of our knowledge and skills. Our scope of practice is about the principle, purpose, and interpretation of laboratory tests. More and more clinicians are seeking out our advice in ordering laboratory tests and in interpreting the results of those tests, and with our assistance, costs of patient care are decreasing and fewer unnecessary lab tests are being ordered. Laboratory professionals are extremely valuable members of the care team, and we are being finally recognized for our contributions. The future of our profession is truly bright!

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy gardening, as well as playing the flute in a community band and in a church contemporary music ensemble.

Tell us about your background.

I am a fellowship-trained movement disorders neurologist with a special interest in understanding the needs of individuals and families who are living with advanced Parkinson’s Disease and related disorders. I also have a special interest in designing new models of care to better serve this population. After three years on the faculty at New York University, I joined the Rush University Medical Center Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Program in 2017, where I see patients and conduct research.

I am supported by the National Institutes of Health and various non-profit foundations, and I have several research studies underway that are focused on interdisciplinary home visits and caregiver peer mentoring to improve the lives of patients and families who are living with these conditions. I am also studying the impact of karate on mobility, mood and cognitive outcomes in people with Parkinson’s disease.

I have a longstanding interest in global neurology and travelled to Zambia in spring 2019 to help create the first registry of people with Parkinson’s disease in that country. In addition, I have been recognized as an emerging leader and outstanding patient advocate by the American Academy of Neurology.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I had multiple family members who had neurologic conditions, and they all shared the experience of having neurologists diagnose them and provide little hope. I found neuroscience and psychology fascinating and resolved to enter the field in order to support patients and families, even in the setting of incurable diseases. I was encouraged to pursue a master’s degree in epidemiology in order to design and analyze my own research, and I fell in love with the field of movement disorders (Parkinson’s disease in particular) during my undergraduate studies.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

My colleagues are incredible. I feel honored and humbled to work alongside them every day. Furthermore, my research has been championed here, and I have found amazing mentorship.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

Mentoring and sponsorship cannot be overvalued; they are absolutely critical to success, particularly when you are an early career investigator. At Rush, I have been fortunate to find multiple, terrific mentors and sponsors.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Shadow in clinic. Stay on top of the literature. And explore the many ways that Parkinson’s disease care and research have changed in the past five to 10 years. This is a phenomenal time to join the field because we are making huge strides in improving the lives of our patients and their families.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy spending time with my husband, two small kids and our beagle mutt. I love to cook and bake, especially new recipes from all over the world. I also love to do art projects with my kids. I love being back in Chicago. I particularly enjoy the incredible theatre, jazz and restaurant scenes that can be found here.

Tell us about your background.

I served as a hospital corpsman during the 1990s, receiving the Navy Achievement Medal for work with the Joint Commission at the Naval Hospital in Corpus Christi,Texas. I went on to support various missions in the Middle East and Europe. After service-connected disabilities resulted in retirement from the Navy, I completed a bachelor’s degree in public health, worked at Abbott Laboratories as an assay development scientist, and then earned a bachelor’s degree, a master’s and a doctoral degree in nursing. As a nurse and researcher, I specialize in working with individuals with disabilities, military veterans and their families, and those who identify as LGBTQ.

What inspired you to get into your field?

As a Navy corpsman, I always aspired to become a nurse. Nursing is a versatile field, and I believe we work well with other members of the health care professions.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

The wonderful blend of practice, teaching, and research that is available to us as well as the opportunities for interprofessional practice and global health outreach are the factors that make me excited about working at Rush.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

Both are important. I have had many wonderful mentors throughout my career: when I was in the military, when I was a scientist at Abbott Laboratories, and now, as a nurse and faculty member at Rush. Mentors assist us with gaining personal insight and strengthening mindfulness. They point out areas for personal growth while shoring up what we are currently doing well and providing opportunities for research collaboration.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Be true to yourself. If you are well suited for the service of others, then some aspect of the health care profession is well suited to you. In addition, interprofessional practice, valuing all members of your team and, most importantly, valuing the patient/client is key to a successful practice.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy gardening, cooking for friends and family, nature/animals/conservation, reading, being outdoors, serving (volunteering) others. Basically, I enjoy paying it forward because I have experienced hard times in the past, and I was always fortunate to find someone who gave me a “hand up.”

Tell us about your background.

I am from Joliet, Illinois and have lived in Illinois all of my life. I have been interested in athletics and nutrition from a young age. I received an undergraduate degree in nutrition and food science from Northern Illinois University. I completed a dietetic at Hines VA and subsequently embarked on a career in critical care nutrition, caring for patients in the ICU at Cook County Hospital and, ultimately, at Rush. Realizing I wanted to be more involved in patient care, I attended PA school at Midwestern University in Downers Grove. I have worked in family practice and internal medicine, but most of my clinical career has been spent practicing emergency medicine. After 12 years of full-time clinical practice, I returned to Rush as faculty in the PA program. This led to my current administrative position providing education and training opportunities to our practicing APPs. I still teach part time in the PA program, and I still see patients, providing e-visits and occasional urgent care to the Rush community.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was a nutrition support dietitian here at Rush for several years, and I realized quickly that I wanted to take care of the whole patient and be responsible for creating their treatment plan.

What excites you about your work at Rush?

The Rush PA program is a small, dedicated, close-knit faculty, where we have the honor of teaching some of the brightest students in the country.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

Mentoring is an important part of career advancement. I was lucky to find a mentor through the natural progression of my career. It is important to set goals for yourself and then network with like-minded people. Being a mentor is also a valuable skill, and it’s important to contribute to your profession in that way if you are able to do so. Your experience is always valuable!

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Get as much direct patient care experience as you can before applying to PA school. Grades are important, but life and work experience help us to become well rounded, mature professionals!

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I am an avid open water swimmer and triathlete.

Tell us about your background.

I began working in a clinical laboratory in 1983 and later pursued a specialty in immunohematology. In 2001 I went back to school to earn my Specialist in Blood Banking Certification and my master’s degree. After completing my SBB program, I began teaching in the SBB program at University of Illinois at Chicago.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was inspired to join this field by my interest in immunohematology and my concern for patient safety.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I teach both face-to-face and online through a web-based SBB program, which I direct. It’s both very challenging and very satisfying, and I thoroughly enjoy working with the graduate students.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

I think mentoring is very important. I view myself as a mentor to my graduate students, and I derive great satisfaction from seeing them grow professionally. It’s an honor to be a part of their journey.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

The most important thing is to be passionate about one’s chosen field. It’s important to recognize where one’s interests lie; in my case, it’s working with patients and donors, promoting the profession and keeping the patients and donors safe.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

When the weather is nice, I like cycling. When it’s not so nice, I like to stay inside and read a good book. I also enjoy traveling.

Tell us about your background.

I am a health disparities researcher and mixed-methodologist with the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center and an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. I received my doctorate in social psychology (major) and neuropsychology (minor) from Howard University and my bachelor of science degree in psychology from Louisiana State University. I completed my postdoctoral research fellowship at the Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center. I joined Rush University in 2013 as a BMO Harris Bank Health Disparities Fellow then the RADC as faculty in 2016. My areas of interest include health disparities; healthy aging and chronic diseases of aging, including Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias; intersectionality as a conceptual framework and methodology; social cognitive processes such as attitudes, beliefs and related behaviors; and mixed-methods research. I have published both quantitative and qualitative research, and I have presented my research findings at international and national scientific meetings. I also belong to various professional groups working to address health disparities both nationally and locally.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I simply aspired to help others, especially regarding health, through research.

What excites you about your work at Rush?

I thoroughly enjoy the interdisciplinary approach to research and health at Rush.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

As many have assisted me, I must look back and assist others going forward.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Be passionate about your work, have a plan, and seek mentorship and sponsorship. Also, be prepared to constantly improve, be continuously curious and accept constructive criticism.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy reading, traveling, visiting museums and spending time with my husband.

Bio

I am an assistant professor at Rush University, College of Health Sciences in the Department of Clinical Nutrition. In this role, I teach and advise MSDI students in the Clinical Nutrition Program on obesity–related research and evidence-based clinical nutrition practice in the areas of obesity and cancer. I hold a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nutrition and a doctoral degree in human nutrition with concentrations in nutritional epidemiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). I’m also a clinical nutrition researcher and registered dietitian with additional training in cancer prevention and epidemiology and body composition analysis. During the three years of my doctoral program, I was a pre-doctoral fellow with the NIH R25T Cancer Education and Career Development Program at the Institute for Health Research and Policy at UIC. Prior to earning my PhD, I had a successful 16-year career at UIC as a project coordinator in nutrition and translational research in minority and underserved populations. My research interests focus on understanding the relationships among race-ethnicity, obesity, body composition, inflammation, insulin resistance and obesity–related cancers, particularly, colorectal and breast cancers (prevention, pathophysiology, recurrence, and survival).

What inspired you to get into your field?

My mother was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes during my freshman year of college. As shocking as this was for my mother and our family, it was not completely unexpected because my maternal grandmother also had type 2 diabetes. As I explored careers during this time, I came across the profession of a registered dietitian. This was the first time that I made a real–life, real–world connection between food and disease and began to understand the important role the registered dietitian plays in the treatment of people with type 2 diabetes, like my mother. From that point forward, I embarked on pursuing a bachelor’s degree in human nutrition and never looked back. The information I learned as a clinical nutrition student and, later, as a registered dietitian has informed the eating habits of my mother and has helped keep her diet controlled for over 20 years. Now, I passionately explore the role of obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance in disease risk. The information I learn and the research I participate in will, hopefully, contribute to the prevention and control of obesity, diabetes and cancer for people in our modern society, like my mother, who are burdened with such diseases.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I value the friendly, welcoming, respectful, and professional work environment at Rush. I’m thrilled by the emphasis on teaching and the value that is placed on research. I’m also greatly impressed by the collaborative spirit of not only my nutrition colleagues, but also of the members of the other colleges and departments throughout Rush. I‘m passionate about what I do, and I enjoy collaborating and serving others. Furthermore, at Rush, I’m surrounded by colleagues who feel just as strongly as I do about their work. I’m proud to be a part of this team of great faculty, researchers, and clinicians.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I’ve valued mentoring all my life because many of my long-term mentors have definitely given direction to my career path and professional decisions. I think the best mentors are those who support you but are brutally honest when it is appropriate and necessary. At Rush, I have the opportunity to add new mentors to further encourage and challenge me. The opportunities for mentoring are limitless, particularly as part of the Rush Research Mentoring Program.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Find a career path that you are passionate about. For me, it is nutrition. Take that path, but be open to learning about different areas outside of your expertise. Get involved in research and be open to collaborating with colleagues and to learning new things.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy reading, watching movies, and dancing (salsa and merengue, especially). My favorite pastime is going for extended walks, particularly in wooded areas. I also have a huge family and many dear friends that I love to spend time with. I especially delight in being a hostess and having big parties.

Bio

I graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 2002. I joined Rush as a surgical intern. I followed that with my residency in Ophthalmology. I am glaucoma fellowship trained and I continue to treat cataracts and glaucoma, among other eye diseases.

What inspired you to get into your field?

Ophthalmology is a rare field that we get to develop long standing relationships with our patients as we follow them for the general health of their eyes, as well as throughout the management of chronic diseases. This can be life changing for patients. To see this during my training was inspiring.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Rush is a unique community, a true family. The eye is related to every other part of the body. As such, it is important that, as an ophthalmologist, I have the ability to effectively communicate with all the physicians involved in a particular patient’s care. Being at Rush makes this very easy to do!

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Mentorship is critical to any field. To be able to learn from others’ experiences is truly a gift.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

I would advise anyone looking into this field to dive right in. The more you see and do, the more familiar the eye becomes to you. Reach out to those in the field and express your interest.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy downhill skiing and traveling to Honduras for cataract mission trips.

Bio

Originally I studied Nursing and graduated from NIU in 1991. I then became a Physician Assistant in 2000 and decided to return to medical school. I graduated in 2008 from Oceania University of Medicine. My residency was at West Suburban Medical Center. My chief residency was at WSMC and Faculty Attending. Also was Asst Professor at Loyola University Medical Center. I practiced at Alexian Brothers and Northwest Community before coming to Rush.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I always loved the health sciences and teaching since nursing school. I was fascinated with the methods of deductive reasoning and formulating a diagnosis. Direct patient care is my passion!

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I have the chance to teach in an academic medical center and work with highly qualified specialists in my clinic.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

It is a great way to guide someone who might be struggling with their goals. Also it provides encouragement to that person.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Always start by shadowing with someone in the field of interest. Stay focused. Don’t let anyone discourage you from achieving your dream.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I love traveling and golfing. I enjoy winding down my day by reading an old-fashioned book.

Bio

I am an Instructor in the Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, having joined Rush in January of 2016. I trained as a microbiologist, and I specialize in infectious diseases. My research aims to discover how the gut microbiome influences the development and function of immune cells and the nervous system in relation to various infectious diseases.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I love to be challenged and to learn new things every day. Immunologic and neurologic imbalances underlie many diseases. I find it fascinating that the human body represents a scaffold upon which multitudes of commensal species build residence, creating a diverse ecosystem. Mechanisms that mediate the interdependent and complex interactions between the microbiome and animals, as well as their influences on human health, represent an exciting frontier of science and medicine. The fast pace and unpredictability of scientific research keeps me excited and motivated. My resilience has kept me coming back for more.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

What I most appreciate about Rush is the opportunities they extend to junior faculty members. I have had the chance to work in collaboration with many clinicians and researchers on multidisciplinary projects, which is not only exciting but has also helped me to come out from my bubble and to establish myself as a multidisciplinary researcher.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Rush provides an excellent networking and mentoring environment in order to foster career growth and opportunities for junior faculties. Without Rush’s mentoring and sponsorship program, I would not, over the last couple of years, have gained the confidence that I needed to make the most of the opportunities that have come my way.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Be yourself. Cultivate your passion for what you love, and success will come. Don’t shy away from seeking guidance and advice from your superiors.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

In addition to science, I am passionate about dance. I am trained as an Indian classical dancer, and I spend time practicing this type of dance whenever I can. I also love to cook, read autobiographies, and take long walks.

Bio

As a Rehabilitation Psychologist, I evaluate and treat patients while they are in the hospital who have sustained catastrophic injuries or illnesses like stroke, spinal cord injury, limb loss and brain injury. I completed my Ph.D. in Health Psychology at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, my residency in Behavioral Medicine/Neuropsychology at the University of Washington, and my postdoctoral fellowship specializing in Rehabilitation Psychology at TIRR Memorial Hermann/Baylor College of Medicine. I am a proud advocate of those with disabilities and chronic diseases and enjoy helping patients and their families navigate the process of returning to full and fulfilling lives after the disruption of a major medical event.

What inspired you to get into your field?

Experiences in my own life of those with medical conditions encouraged me to get involved in health research as an undergraduate at the University of Southern California. In graduate school, I worked with patients with chronic illness (Diabetes, Heart Disease, etc.). I recall working with one woman who as a result of complications from her diabetes, underwent a limb amputation. I recall wishing I could have worked with her at the outset of her difficulties - i.e. when she was in the hospital - to help treat her phantom pain and struggles with body image. That’s when I discovered Rehabilitation Psychology as a field. Since then, it’s been my professional home.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

My position at Rush is my first job outside of my postdoctoral fellowship. I am absolutely thrilled to be able to work full-time with hospitalized patients. I have particularly enjoyed setting up new patient service lines with other psychologists on our team. We are reaching more patients across the hospital, and that excites me tremendously.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

“Mentorship” and “Sponsorship” were topics that I really had not thought carefully about until I arrived at Rush. However, I have recently read literature on how men in many fields enjoy informal mentorship and sponsorship relationships, which help them establish clear career trajectories and make the most of opportunities. I want for all women, inside and outside of Rush to have the same experiences. It is important that women model for each other how to have healthy, supportive workplace relationships, so that we too can make the most of our opportunities.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

I would recommend all emerging psychologists join one or more of the divisions of the American Psychological Association. There are divisions for every specialty. Early in your career you may find it helpful to attend conferences in multiple divisions until you have found your “professional home.”

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I am new to Chicago. Currently, I enjoy exploring the various neighborhoods and restaurants around me.

Bio

I have been in the field of neonatology since 1983 starting as a RN and for the past 2 decades as a neonatal nurse practitioner. I speak nationally on neonatal topics. I have published a few book chapters mainly geared towards the neonatal nurse practitioner. I am active in Neonatal and Advanced Practice Professional organizations.

What inspired you to get into your field?

As a teenager, I had some medical issues and the caring medical team made me want to enter into the medical field. As a student nurse, I was employed at Humana Women’s and had my first exposure to the field of neonatology. That was when I decided to be in this field.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I am very excited to be able to teach in a graduate program in my specialty to help prepare new graduates to provide safe and caring care to the tiniest population, neonates.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I had an excellent mentor throughout my graduate education and this relationship allowed me to flourish professionally.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

“Be a sponge” - the field of nursing is always changing so take advantage of any and all learning opportunities.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy traveling, growing vegetables, spending my free time with family, reading fiction mystery books and playing with my dogs.

Bio

I’m an assistant professor in and speech-language pathologist in the Department of Pediatrics. The majority of my time is spent on research with different developmental disabilities, primarily fragile X syndrome. I provide evaluation for a medical diagnostic clinic in the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I had a somewhat circuitous route to my present area. I originally had an M.A. in linguistics and was working on my Ph.D. in that field when I started helping with a research study that focused on a more clinical aspect of language development. That one experience inspired me to change departments and get my M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology and my Ph.D. in Speech and Hearing Science.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

What I most appreciate is that direct clinical relevance of the work I do. Whether I’m working in the clinic or on a study, I know that it will be directly impacting families.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I was so fortunate when I came to Rush to step directly into a great mentoring situation. By working with an experienced researcher and clinician I’ve been able to take part in projects that then led to me starting my own studies.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Don’t be shy about approaching someone to ask for guidance or advice. Most people love getting to share about their experiences and there are often opportunities that come from these interactions.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

Spending time with my husband and two children is always first on my list. We love spending time outside and going for bike rides and hikes.

Tell us about your background.

I am an associate professor of behavioral sciences and a clinical psychologist. I specialize in working with and studying people who have chronic health conditions, like diabetes and obesity, with particular attention paid to the high levels of stress and distress that can occur when people have these conditions.

What inspired you to get into your field?

While working in a hospital setting, I have been so impressed with the resilience I have seen in patients in the face of very difficult physical and emotional challenges. I’ve found that it is entirely natural for people to get overwhelmed by the obstacles their conditions present for them at times, and I find great joy in being able to help people learn to use strategies to improve their health and well-being in spite of these challenges.

What excites you about your work at Rush?

The people I encounter every day — both my patients and the individuals I work with — are what excites me about my work at Rush. I am encouraged every day by the great desire of both patients and health care teams to try to improve health and well being.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

Mentoring, in all its forms, is vital to personal and career growth. In the past few years, I have started my career and expanded my family, and solid mentorship from a variety of sources has helped make this a very smooth and rewarding process.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Be curious! One of the most important aspects of being a psychologist — and a health care provider in general — is to be truly curious and nonjudgmental, to learn how people think/feel/act in order to help them achieve the best health and well-being that is possible for them.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I have small children at home, so I spend a lot of time in activities with them. I also enjoy exercising, reading and traveling.

Tell us about your background.

I am an associate professor and also director of student development in the Department of Health Systems Management, where I teach courses in insurance/managed care, health care in America and professionalism. Previously I was vice president of medical delivery at Aetna in Washington; vice president of Medicare, Medicaid and individual products at U.S. Healthcare in Philadelphia; director of the American Hospital Association’s Division of Ambulatory Care; vice president of ambulatory care at Lake Hospital Systems; and assistant vice president at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center. I hold a bachelor’s from Hampton Institute, an MPH from the University of Pittsburgh and a PhD from the University of Illinois at Chicago. I am an American College of Healthcare Executives fellow; an AHA McGaw prize committee member; an Association of University Programs in Health Administration past board chair, having served as its finance committee chair/treasurer; a National Association of Health Service Executives board member; a Holy Cross Hospital former board chair; a University of Pittsburgh alumni association board member and scholarship committee member; and an ACHE regional advisory committee board member. My publications have appeared in Frontiers of Healthcare Management, Journal of Health Administration Education, Healthcare Executive, Journal of Hospital Administration, Journal of Public Health, and Journal of Healthcare Management.

What inspired you to get into your field?

The integration of science and business attracted me to health management as a field.

What excites you about your work at Rush?

The teacher-practitioner philosophy and its focus on innovation is what I love about Rush.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

Bringing my former health care management experience with associations, hospitals and insurance companies gives me a perspective about what students will face as they graduate from Rush and enter the workforce. The current generation of students have tremendous energy and want to focus on inequities in the system to advance quality and the patient experience. Mentoring and sponsorship are important because it encourages communication between the generations, which in turn advances patient care.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Keep yourself open to the possibilities. Read, listen and dialog.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy taking Orange Theory classes, reading and networking.

Bio

I am currently an assistant professor and section head of laryngology within the department of otolaryngology here at Rush. I joined Rush immediately after completing my fellowship at MEEI in Boston, which I began after completing my ENT residency at NMH in Chicago.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I loved ENT due to the mix of clinical and surgical practice that is related to the fascinating anatomy of the head and neck. I was drawn to laryngology by the multiple functions of the larynx, which are related to the voice, the airway, and swallowing, and the trend towards in-office procedures/interventions.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Rush’s focus on patient care in an environment that promotes and encourages forward thinking is what excited me about working here.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I think it’s important to use your experiences to help others navigate the sometimes challenging path between balancing clinical duties and the creation of a practice or career.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

The field of laryngology is very diverse in terms of the way it is practiced. So, before deciding on the field, it’s a good idea to spend some time with a variety of laryngologists to learn more about the way they work.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I love to travel and to try new restaurants. I also love to spend my free time with my family. I am the mother of a two-year-old, and I am currently expecting my second child.

Bio

I completed my fellowship in 2013 in Hematology and Oncology. After trying private practice, I moved to academics and was drawn to the challenges of Benign Hematology. The possibilities in this field are endless and I enjoy my work so much now!

What inspired you to get into your field?

The challenges of Benign Hematology are what inspired me to get into my field.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

The ability to have all the support you need to develop programs to help patients is what excited me about my work at Rush.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Mentoring can really help to shape one’s career.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Stay consistent and work hard.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy traveling and reading books about topics other than medicine.

Bio

I am the Director of the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit and the Section Head of Critical Care Neurology.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I had a keen interest in neurological care. I was particularly intrigued by critically ill neurological/neurosurgical patients.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I liked the opportunities for collaboration among many teams.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

They are great ways to introduce people to your field of practice and leadership.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Pursue this only if you are passionate about this aspect of patient care. The days can be long and exhausting; however, there is satisfaction in knowing that you have done everything you can to save lives.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy reading and listening to music.

What inspired you to get into your field?

In one of the last semesters of my MPH program, I was introduced to the field of psycho-neuroimmunology via a book we were required to read (I can’t recall the title), and it changed my life! I knew right then, and right there that I wanted my professional life to be somehow related to the field o PNI.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

In all of the work I do, I have the great honor of empowering people to transform their health in meaningful and measurable ways!

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I think mentoring can be a life changing experience, not only for the mentee, but for the mentor. For the mentee, it provides a priceless experience to learn & grow, to be challenged, and to feel supported - personally and professionally. For the mentor, I also believe it provides a rich experience for personal and professional growth, as well as, have the satisfaction in knowing they are making a significant difference in someone else’s life.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Speak with as many people in the field as possible. Learn about their day to day activities; ask about their journey to get to where they are; inquire about the education/training requirements; inquire about shadowing opportunities. Network. Network. Network. And, no matter what - always check in with your heart along the way - it is a great compass.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

Photography, paddle-boarding, reading, meditating, hikes in the MI dunes, seeing live music, cooking, time with friends and family.

Bio

Over the course of my time at Rush, I have worked as a clinical manager in the hospital (with an appointment in the College of Nursing), conducted research, taught at all levels of the curriculum, and served as the director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. I have also published articles related to the safety of inpatient units.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was attracted to nursing because of my interest in making a difference in people’s lives. Over the course of my career, I have remained invested in the field because of the wide range of possibilities.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I have been able to hold a variety of positions at Rush, which has enabled me to learn and grow in my work. I have always enjoyed the people I work with and have a great deal of respect for their expertise.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I have enjoyed being a mentor. Mentoring has enabled me to get to know my mentee in a different capacity.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Make a commitment to be a lifelong learner. The health care field has changed dramatically over the course of my career, and it has brought great opportunities for exploring new avenues.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy knitting and photography.

Tell us about your background.

My clinical, educational and research work is focused on lupus and on finding ways to improve related health outcomes. Ten years ago, my team and I initiated the Rush Lupus Clinic, where we provide interdisciplinary care to patients with lupus. This clinic also serves as an educational and research platform for our program. We have developed tools to measure patient-reported health outcomes for patients with lupus, and we are working on the development and testing of behavioral interventions to improve health outcomes among patients with lupus. I also serve as the associate program director for our Rheumatology Fellowship program and as resident education faculty leader.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I am intrigued by the intersection of psychosocial health with one’s overall health, especially in the setting of a chronic disease. I enjoy working with young adults and mature adults. I like the long-term professional relationships that are formed while caring for patients with chronic diseases. I try to help them overcome hurdles, be they physical, emotional or other types of hurdles.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

The collegiality and interdisciplinary collaboration I have found at Rush is what excites me.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

Mentorship and sponsorship are both very important for one’s personal and career development. I have been able to reach out to other departments within Rush and outside of Rush to actively seek mentorship. I have also been actively mentoring trainees at various levels and junior faculty both within Rush and outside of it. We all need some amount of mentoring at various stages in our careers/lives, and we must also remember to mentor others when possible.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Identify your goals. Prioritize them. Add a timeline to them. Identify the resources you have and don’t have to succeed. Initiate and sustain action. Reach out for help when needed. Revisit your goals along the timeline so that you can track, reset and revise them.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

Creative arts of various kinds are my release.

Bio

I am a Family Nurse Practitioner and have practiced in primary care with patients ages 0-104 years old. I currently teach in the FNP program and practice in internal medicine at Oak Street Health, in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. I am interested in improving care coordination, health policy and the role of nurse practitioners in creating value within our health system.

What inspired you to get into your field?

As a family practice clinician I have the privilege of connecting with three or four generations of the same family and building relationships with the people I care for. This allows me to better care for both my patient and their family as a unit.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I have really enjoyed transitioning into a faculty role with an organization that values my experience as a clinician and allows me to explore what I am most passionate about.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I feel exceptionally lucky to have started my faculty career at Rush. I have learned so much just by being surrounded by so many educators with years of experience who are willing to teach and share.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

If you are looking for a faculty role, be persistent, it can be a challenge to find the right fit but it’s worth the effort.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

Cycling, yoga and finding the time to travel as much as possible (my goal is to hit every continent in the next 5 years).

Bio:

As a Senior Attending Physician and Associate Professor of Medicine at the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, I focus on the integration of technology to make sense of diabetes and diabetes self-care. My other interest is metabolic health at midlife in women and men for cardiovascular and metabolic prevention.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was inspired by my mentors and the analytic nature of the field of endocrinology and metabolism.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Rush University Medical Center has a unique place in the Chicago Medical District and in the Chicagoland medical community overall. I was attracted by the balance between academic mission and excellence in patient care that I found at Rush.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Mentoring allows you to see the hope inside yourself, to find your direction and to focus. Sponsorship enlightens your abilities and helps you make the most of your strengths in the broader world. We should sponsor and mentor, just as we need to be sponsored and mentored.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

There is more complexity in diabetes than we have been led to believe.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy the arts because they make us human. I enjoy sports because challenge is obligatory for our bodies, just as much as it is for our brains.

Bio

I am Professor and Chair of Clinical Nutrition and came to Rush in February 2005 from Oklahoma State University. I have also held positions at four other universities. My primary role has been in teaching Nutrition, Medical Nutrition Therapy and Nutrition Counseling and Education. My research includes the students in Clinical Nutrition and is focused on diabetes education and childhood obesity.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I have type 1 diabetes, and, when I was a child, there were no registered dietitians who really knew what to do to help a child with diabetes learn how to eat.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I like working with good students.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I believe that a mentor is useful only when the mentee asks.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Get your PhD.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I have started quilting, but, since that takes more time than I have, I spend a lot of time reading and collecting antiques.

Bio

I hold the faculty rank of Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Systems Management at Rush University, where I have taught courses in health care management ethics, health care organization, health care strategic planning and marketing, and professional skills. My favorite professional skills lecture to deliver is a dining interview/networking simulation (e.g., When you are seated at a round table during a networking event, do you know which glass and bread dish is yours and not the person’s sitting next to you, a person who could have the power to influence your career?).

With over 25 years in hospital and medical association management, I have held leadership positions at Rush University Medical Center in university relations and medical affairs administration and at the American College of Chest Physicians in continuing medical education and philanthropy. Currently, I am Vice President for Communications at the College of American Pathologists (CAP) where I am responsible for planning, developing, and executing internal and external communications, branding, media relations, and crisis relations.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I grew up in a health care family. My father was a physician executive, and my mother was a surgical nurse. From an early age, I was comfortable in hospitals and health care settings and valued their direct, patient care mission. In school, I enjoyed and excelled at both biological sciences and business communications.

While considering medical school and reviewing course requirements, I discovered Rush University’s Health Systems Management program. I grew more and more excited while reading the descriptions of every course in the program. I was hooked! I had found the field I wanted to pursue in life, with just the right mix of medicine, management, applied learning, and practical application. I love the variety of experiences, work settings, and types of clinical and non-clinical colleagues that I work together with in health care management so that we can deliver high quality patient care. Nearly every day that I go to work, I feel energized, appropriately challenged, valued for the administrative expertise that I bring, and driven by a higher purpose.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I’ve been a Rush University faculty member since 1996. The continuous learning required for teaching excites me. I enjoy sharing practical work experiences and case studies with my students and fellow faculty. Rush University is a very friendly, caring, and collegial environment that is conducive to learning and building strong relationships.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Especially because of the nurturing environment at Rush, faculty, students, and staff should feel comfortable asking specific individuals to serve as mentors or career coaches. It’s scary to reach out to an individual who appears “out of reach” and is possibly two to three levels above you. The worst response you could receive is a ‘no’ — but you rarely will. Typically, the individuals you’ve asked are humbled that you’ve asked them for advice and gratified by their ability to share their wisdom and expertise.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

My primary tip for someone looking to enter health care management is to shadow different individuals in the field for half-day periods. Ask people in various roles and locations if you can shadow them. Join the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and its local chapter, Chicago Health Executives Forum (CHEF), to access online resources, attend events, and network with people in the field. Offer to write a blog or online newsletter article for CHEF about your shadowing experiences or submit an article to the “Professional Pointers” section of ACHE’s magazine, Healthcare Executive.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy fitness and trying new types of exercise, especially hiking, cross country skiing, boot camps, and dance/rhythm classes (e.g., “WERQ” or Zumba dance exercise, cardio drumming), and ladies night out events (dancing, painting instruction paired with wine, Broadway shows, skyline boat rides etc.). I enjoy dates with my husband (who was my high school sweetheart at Oak Park and River Forest High School) and vacations involving water. My two daughters enjoy shopping with me, especially when I’m paying.

Bio

I was the pediatric residency program director for 14 years. My clinical work included pediatric emergency medicine and hospital medicine.

What inspired you to get into your field?

My love of children, acute care and medical education is what inspired me.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

The opportunity to combine my clinical and educational interests in a supportive environment is what excited me about Rush.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Mentoring future generations of clinicians is the reason I chose to work at an academic medical center. Mentoring has been the single most satisfying aspect of my career.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Be willing to meet people where they are.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy reading, baking and walking.

Bio

I am an Assistant Professor at Rush University Medical Center and an active clinician, teacher, and researcher. My current research interests include the study of aging effects on swallowing physiology and the development of novel protocols for dysphagia evaluation, prevention, and rehabilitation.

What inspired you to get into your field?

My mother had a stroke and required Speech-Language Pathology assistance. I loved how the SLPs helped her regain her talking and swallowing abilities.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I love collaborating with different groups, especially the Department of Otolaryngology and the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Both groups have welcomed me and supported me in my research endeavors.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Mentoring is the key success. My clinical mentors have helped me develop into an advanced practice clinician. My academic mentors have shown me how to become a better teacher. And my scientific mentors have helped me develop a small idea into a novel line of research. Without such strong mentorship, I would not be where I am now in my career.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Be prepared to work hard and to learn continually. This is not a nine-to-five job, and graduation is just the first step in a lifetime of learning.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy reading, walking, watching movies, and doing assorted outdoor activities with family and friends.

Bio

Through my research, I employ novel neuroimaging and cognitive data acquisition and analysis techniques to identify modifiable factors that may increase health equity in brain aging.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was inspired to get into cognitive neuroscience by my desire to understand a disease that affects far too many people, in the hope that I might be able to help reduce the number of people affected by that disease and improve the outcome for those that have it.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Through the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, I have discovered a group of colleagues who, like me, are committed to discovering better ways to diagnose, treat and prevent Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I have always been committed to mentoring and sponsorship, regardless of my academic home. I thoroughly enjoy working with individuals who are interested in making science their life’s work.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Find someone who is passionate about what they do, and learn from them as much as possible.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy sailing, running and spending time with my family.

Bio I am an epidemiologist and have strong research interests in health equity, aging, and physical activity.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I’ve always liked working with numbers. When I learned about the field of epidemiology and what it means to study health at the population level, I knew I had found my path.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I love Rush’s commitment to the community.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I would not be where I am today if it hadn’t been for good mentors who helped me find my way.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Find a topic that excites you, and go from there. Getting a PhD is a long road, and if you don’t love what you do, you are doing a disservice to yourself.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I love animals, and I spend a lot of my free time volunteering with One Tail at a Time dog rescue. I also volunteer with the Birthday Party Project, a nonprofit that throws birthday parties for kids in homeless shelters. Volunteering has helped me meet a ton of great people, and it helped me make friends when I was new to Chicago.

Bio

Sue is the Leadership Academy Director at Rush University, which provides leadership training and development for administrators and clinicians. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member for the Health Systems Management Graduate Program at Rush where she has taught multiple courses and serves as a student mentor. Prior to that, she was Vice President of Professional Development at The American College of Healthcare Executives. Sue holds a BS in Accounting from the University of Illinois, an MBA from Northwestern University, and a PhD in Organizational Development from Benedictine University. Lawler has coached students and clients on leadership and career transitions. Her research explored how coaches help their clients achieve sustained change. Chicago board service included the Kellogg Alumni Club, Career Transitions Center and the Union League Club.

What inspired you to get into your field?

Family members were in healthcare.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Leadership Development is needed so much in this industry.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Sponsorship is essential especially for women.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Be flexible and work hard and learn to balance.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

World traveler. Been to all 7 continents and about 70 countries.

Bio

I am a classically trained in basic science researcher, receiving my PhD in Immunology from Rush University and completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Northwestern University. I am also a certified medical laboratory scientist. This combination drives my research interest in examining the interplay between T cells and dendritic cells in patients with metabolic disease and chronic hyperglycemia. My primary teaching responsibilities are in the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, where I am the clinical chemistry and immunology course director as well as the director of student research.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after undergrad and having professors that inspired me and kept me engaged in science made all the difference. My goal is to pay this forward and inspire the next generation of scientists through teaching and research.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I get to teach every day about topics I love and do research with excited students.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Rush provides an extensive networking and mentoring environment in order to foster career growth and opportunities. I am fortunate to say I love my job. Without mentoring and the confidence that I have gained through professional coaching and sponsorship I would not be in this position doing what I love.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Make sure you are excited about what you do on a daily basis. Everyone has a passion and once you find it, work doesn’t feel like “work” anymore.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

In my “free time” I chase after my two little boys.

Bio

Yixiang Liao, PhD, joined the Department of Radiation Oncology in June 2007 and currently serves as the associate director of the Medical Physics Residency Program. She is a board-certified therapeutic medical physicist by the American Board of Radiology. She belongs to several organizations, including the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, American Society for Radiation Oncology and American Brachytherapy Society.

What inspired you to get into your field?

Applying my knowledge in physics in patient care.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Great colleagues.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Having a mentor/sponsor is crucial to successful career.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Find a mentor/sponsor early on.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

Reading, watching movies.

Bio

I am a virologist focusing on the investigation of human cytomegalovirus, as well as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human papillomavirus, which are all HIV co-pathogens.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I worked as a medical technologist in clinical microbiology laboratories for several years. I eventually decided that I needed to expand my knowledge and academic opportunities.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I relished the chance to engage in research involving human viral pathogens.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

The funding situation for research is very competitive, and academic positions are limited. It is best to keep your options open for applying the expertise you acquire in graduate school.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I like reading and traveling.

Bio

I have over 27 years of pediatric clinical experience as both a nurse and a nurse practitioner, and I have spoken nationally and internationally on asthma, obesity, breastfeeding and child development. I received my PhD in Nursing from Loyola University. I am an assistant professor at Rush University School of Nursing and maintain a private clinical practice in Chicago. In 2012, I started a successful breastfeeding/nutrition support group at Simpson Academy for Young Women, which has received community donations as well as funding from various institutions, including Rush University, Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor society, and the McNeil Foundation.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I have always wanted to be a nurse since I was 16 years old. I am the oldest of six kids, and I started babysitting at a young age. Also, I really liked the TV show, “MASH,” when I was growing up. I did extremely well in school and was at the top of my class. I was able to get numerous scholarships to go to nursing school. I knew that I would need a career where I could support myself and that there would always be a need for nurses. I am very lucky to have found a career that I love that allows me to work with children and help others every day.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Sharing my passion about nursing is what excites me about working at Rush. The faculty and staff at Rush University are always willing to help each other.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I have been very fortunate to have mentors throughout my career. Arlene Sperhac, Marilyn Wideman, Chandice Covington, and Lou Fogg, all of whom are Rush faculty, have mentored me and supported me in various ways over the years. I have tried to pay their guidance forward by mentoring others like they have done for me.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Don’t give up. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Also, think outside the box.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I have completed over 15 marathons. I love to travel and have been all over the world. I also play guitar and flute.

Bio

I graduated from Marquette University in 1999 with a BSN. I practiced as an RN in NICU and pediatric ED. I completed an MSN in 2007 in the AC PNP Program at Rush University and DNP at the University of Colorado in 2019. My APRN practice includes 4 years in pediatric ED (Children’s Memorial Chicago) and 5 years in inpatient pediatric pulmonary (Children’s Hospital Colorado). My current practice is in inpatient pediatric neurology (Children’s Hospital of Colorado). I have been teaching APCPNP students at Rush since 2008 and at the University of Colorado since 2015. I served PNCP as a member of the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board Acute Care Exam Committee from 2014 to 2018 and the 2018 Acute Care Role Analysis Workgroup.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I love the combination of science and caring that is inherent in nursing. I am passionate about helping children and their caregivers successfully navigate times of injury and illness.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Rush is a leader in advanced practice nursing. My mentors are supportive and always guide and encourage me to continually learn and grow. It truly feels like a family here at Rush.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I would not be where I am today without my career mentors. They provide advice, help me create goals for myself and provide feedback along the way to encourage optimal growth. I have different mentors for different aspects of my life.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Begin with bedside nursing and take some time to figure out your passions and strengths. Use this information to guide you to your next steps.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy camping, hiking, skiing, cooking, traveling and spending time with family and friends whenever I can.

Bio

I am board certified in Internal Medicine, Dermatology and Dermatopathology; however I only practice Dermatology. I am especially interested in Cosmetic Dermatology.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I loved it more than any thing else. I found it intriguing when I was first exposed to it during a two-week rotation.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I love the opportunity to learn new things.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I certainly believe that they are very valuable.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Things are challenging for medical students these days. It is very important to do research, get good board scores, write papers and rotate in programs where you have an interest so that you can shine.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I have not figured that out yet.

Bio

I am a Professor & Audiology Program Director in the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences at Rush University in Chicago and a faculty member at the Ida Institute in Denmark. I have been awarded the American Academy of Audiology Clinical Educator Award, the President’s Distinguished Service Medal, and I am an American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Fellow and the recipient of multiple teaching awards, including the Rush University Excellence in Teaching Award. My research, national and international presentations, publications, patient care and teaching have focused on adult, audiologic rehabilitation.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was inspired by my interest in health care. I wanted to have the opportunity to work with patients and students.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Being a faculty member at Rush has allowed me to work with students via both “sides” of the teacher-practitioner model. This is what I love about my position.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

It is so fun to be at the point in my career, when I can mentor young women (and men). Supporting these bright, energetic young professionals is stimulating and rewarding.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Early in your career, try to establish and maintain work-life boundaries so that your personal and professional lives can be equally fulfilling.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy traveling and hiking.

Bio

I am an epileptologist in the Department of Neurological Sciences, and I serve as program director of the Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship. I have been at Rush since I first started medical school in 2004, and I have continued my training at Rush first in residency, then in fellowship and now as a faculty member.

What inspired you to get into your field?

After my first year of medical school, I was able to work on a summer research project with the Movement Disorders section of the Neurology Department. This was my first introduction to what neurologists do and to the underlying diseases that they treat, and it drove my interest in the field of neurology and influenced my decision to pursue neurology as a career. Ultimately, I chose a career in epileptology because of my interest in the art of reading EEGs, and because of the patient population.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

My colleagues and trainees make my work at Rush both fun and worthwhile.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

A good mentor can have a major impact on a prospective student’s life, and can ultimately guide him or her in choosing a career path. I am not certain that I would have chosen the career that I have if not for the influence of the great mentors within my field.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

It’s a long road, but the payoff is worth it completely. Things get better after training, and it is incredibly rewarding to see the impact you can have on many patients’ lives.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy spending time with my three young children, traveling, cooking and baking.

Bio

I obtained my medical degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2011. I completed my residency at the University of Chicago in 2014. I then worked as a hospitalist in Guam, an underserved territory of the US, before returning to the University of Chicago for my Geriatrics fellowship. I have been at Rush in the Section of Geriatrics since July 2016.

What inspired you to get into your field?

The great mentors I had while I was in residency who looked at patient care differently inspired me to get into my field.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Finding a community of geriatricians who are also passionate about aging and committed to making Rush an age friendly health system is what excited me about working at Rush.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I believe mentorship is important.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Be committed to the field of geriatrics and aging.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy spending time with my kids and lecturing in the community about aging.

Bio

I am an Associate Professor from Rush University, College of Nursing in Chicago, a Fellow in the Institute of Medicine Chicago and a National Hartford Center for Gerontological Nursing Excellence Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing. I recently retired after 39 years of teaching nursing to BSN, Masters and Doctoral students. I earned my PhD from the University of Illinois at Chicago in Nursing Science, a master’s degree from Rush University and a BSN from Illinois Wesleyan University. I worked as a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner at a Chicago senior center and coordinated the interdisciplinary Wellness Program at five senior centers. I had a four-year Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant to provide interprofessional education to Rush University students. I was also the co-director of the Rush Interprofessional Patient-Centered Teams Program. In this role, I educated incoming Rush University students about collaborative practice. I am currently a grant and abstract reviewer for Sigma Theta Tau International and the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA). I am also the President-elect of the Chicagoland Gerontological Advanced Practice Association.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I have had a great deal of respect for and enjoyment of working with older adults since I was young. This inspired my clinical practice. My experiences as a nursing assistant confirmed my love of nursing and began my professional career.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

The relationships with my colleagues and the commitment of faculty to excellent clinical practice and nursing education is what excited me about working at Rush. The consistent focus on always trying to do things better and impact quality care made working at Rush exciting as well.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Identifying a supportive mentor is key to professional development. Seeing your mentees develop and reach they career goals is very rewarding.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Observing someone doing the work you hope to do is essential in making the right choice. Do not be afraid to look at or interview people in various roles.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

Being retired allows me more time to exercise, to read, garden and being with family and friends.

Bio

I am an assistant professor and associate chairperson of the Department of Women Children Family Nursing in the Rush College of Nursing.  I received my PhD in Nursing Science from Rush University, a Master’s of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Kansas, a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing from South Dakota State University and a diploma in Nursing from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Iowa.  I have over 30 years of clinical, pediatric experience, including General Pediatrics, Pediatric Intensive Care (PICU), Adult Intensive Care (ICU), Ambulatory Care and Pediatric/Neonatal Transport. I have also served in roles as staff, management, consultant and, most recently, as a clinical nurse specialist.  

I have also served as the national President of the Society of Pediatric Nursing (SPN), and Co-Chair of the 2008 ANA Pediatric Nursing Scope and Standards of Pediatric Nursing Practice writing group. My research is focused on pediatric and neonatal wound, ostomy and continence issues, with my most recent work focusing on the needs of adolescents and how they process the experience of having an ostomy. I have both published and lectured on these topics and a variety of other pediatric topics.

What inspired you to get into your field?

In high school, I wanted to become a veterinarian (I grew up on a farm, worked with the local veterinarian and provided care for all of the animals.), but I was denied admission to the university of my choice because, at that time, the university did not accept women. Because of my love for music, I was offered a full-ride scholarship to a local university to pursue voice training; however, I was torn because I loved working with people and animals. It was then that a close family friend suggested nursing. The rest is history!

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I came to Rush because of the College of Nursing’s reputation and the potential for pursuing nursing research.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I think of a mentor as a wise and trusted counselor who can provide guidance and counseling in one’s field. I think of a sponsor as a person who is committed to supporting an individual as they further their career. Such a person vouches for you by putting you forward for an opportunity.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Talk to nurses in the field, volunteer at a local hospital or shadow a nurse.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy attending sporting events, sewing and singing.

Bio

I am Assistant Dean of Faculty Practice in the College of Nursing. I am responsible for the development and maintenance of over 28 diverse, community-based partnerships whereby faculty nurses and nurse practitioners, and interdisciplinary Rush University students provide direct patient care and health services to vulnerable populations across Chicagoland. I also coordinate clinical outcome analyses and student activities across all faculty practice venues and support the scholarly activities of all faculty practice personnel. I am a board certified, practicing Adult Nurse Practitioner. My research interests include return on investment (ROI) and cost analysis studies of nurse-managed health centers (NMHCs), patient satisfaction of NMHCs, and the impact of healthcare access on perceptions of health and healthcare utilization. I am also interested in strategic development of new nurse-managed models of care delivery for underserved populations. My primary teaching responsibilities are in the DNP programs with a focus on student advisement, health assessment, and healthcare business and finance.

What inspired you to get into your field?

Silly as this may sound, since the age of 12, when I began volunteering in a hospital delivering flowers and filling ice pitchers, I always knew I wanted to be a nurse. I was hooked and continued volunteering once a week throughout high school until I left for college to enter a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing program.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I love working with our students. They truly are the future of healthcare! I’m also inspired by my faculty colleagues, who are brilliant, dedicated nurse scholars.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

My favorite part of the women’s mentoring experience is connecting with women from other areas of the university and disciplines. It creates a sense of unity and belonging, both as women and as part of a large academic medical center.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

My advice would be to develop a network of mentors to help you at all stages of your career, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I have played violin since age 4 and have always turned to music to unwind. My husband and I are also busy raising our 3 boys. We love taking them on meandering road trips to explore!

Bio

I began my medical career at Rush as a medical student in 2005. I went on to complete my pediatric residency at Advocate Children’s Hospital and then returned to Rush for a fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology. My focus is on pediatric and fetal echocardiography.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I have always enjoyed the pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system, and I wanted to have continuity of care with my patients for many years, which I am able to do as a specialist in Pediatric Cardiology. I truly enjoy developing relationships with patients and their families and seeing them grow up.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I have had the opportunity to expand our outreach clinics, which has been a great learning experience. I currently go to four different outreach sites, and we are hoping to add more over the next year. These outreach sites are really appreciated by our patients who live far away and have difficulty making the commute to downtown Chicago.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Having a mentor whom you respect and trust can really make a difference when you are a junior faculty member who is just starting out at a new institution. It can be overwhelming when you are faced with the many decisions regarding patient care, research, leadership, education and citizenship.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

The field of Pediatric Cardiology can be very rewarding, but it requires a lot of dedication and constant learning. It was helpful for me to rotate at a hospital with a fellowship to see what my life would be like as a fellow. As a student and resident, I had the opportunity to observe cardiologists at different institutions, which helped me see the variety of work that can be done as a Pediatric Cardiologist. Also, as a woman, it was important for me to start a family throughout all of these experiences. This  wasn’t easy by any means, but it is very possible.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I spend my free time with my husband and two children. My children are four months and three years old, so we spend a lot of time at the park.

Bio

I was lucky to be born into a family that encouraged scientific thinking and exploration. This led me to become a scientist. I also wanted to be in a profession that would allow me to help others. I thought medicine was the best way to do both of these things. After medical school, I realized medicine is run like a business in the US. In order to understand the complex business/medicine relationship, I pursued an MBA while I was in residency and fellowship. My love of research made me seek a Master’s of Science degree in Clinical Research. As I read more, I realized most illnesses are not genetic in adults. Rather, they are environmental. I now conduct translational research, on a variety of illnesses and focus on the role of environmental factors in their development.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I thought I would thrive in a diverse field that includes hands-on procedures as well as a great deal of thinking. This is why I chose gastroenterology.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Rush has a diverse set of patients who are wonderful. The main attraction of working at Rush is the patients.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Mentors are there to ensure that the knowledge and wisdom they have accumulated over the years for themselves gets passed on to future generations through their mentees.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Try to be the best in only one aspect of your profession. The current demands do not allow you to be a good researcher,a good teacher, and a good clinician. I recommend that you pick one of these and try to be the best at it.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy watching documentaries.

Bio

I am an Anatomical Pathologist and Neuropathologist with a long track record of peer-funded laboratory-based research. I am the author of more than 125 publications and two published books.  Presently, I conduct research full time at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was ranked number one out of 250 students in Pathology during my medical training.  I have always been interested in research.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Rush is the foremost Alzheimer’s Disease Center in North America.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I have mentored medical students in the past.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Be prepared to work hard.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

There is not much free time. I make time to hike. I have walked the entire Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia and other trails in North America and abroad.

Bio

I am a professor in the Departments of Pharmacology and Psychiatry at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois. I am also the Director of the Center for Compulsive Behavior and Addiction at Rush University.

My academic background includes a PhD in Pharmacology from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas and post-doctoral training in Neurobiology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I have conducted research sabbaticals at Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut and the University of Washington Health Sciences Center, Seattle, Washington.

I have received continuous research support from the National Institute of Health (NIH) since 1990. My scientific interests include the neuroscience of motivational behaviors, including those that regulate healthy decision-making versus those associated with drug and behavioral addictions. My work also encompasses addiction co-morbidity with other mental and neurological diseases. I have authored over 200 publications on topics that span molecular biology, biochemistry, neurophysiology and behavior. My research directly translates into medication development for mental health disorders.

My extensive academic service includes President of the Chicago Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience, membership in NIH scientific review committees, an organizer of numerous international conferences and editor or reviewer for over thirty scientific journals and books. I am the Scientific Advisor for the Robert Crown Center for Health Education (Hinsdale, Illinois), a Board Member for Epworth Village (York, Nebraska), a home for disadvantaged children, and the Illinois Council on Responsible Gaming. I have provided expert testimony to the US Congress’s Committee on Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology, and to the Illinois House of Representatives’, Heroin and Youth Task Force Hearing. I am frequently sought after by the news media to comment on matters related to neuropharmacology, drug addiction and the adolescent brain. For my outstanding contributions to neuroscience education, research and outreach in Chicago, I received the 2015 Career Achievement Award from the Chicago Chapter of the International Society for Neuroscience.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I loved the idea of being able to study the brain and to contribute to neurotherapeutics.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

The work being done at Rush in the field of neuroscience neuropharmacology excited me.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

I think it is very important to train young scientists. I am pleased that Rush is sponsoring this effort via the Mentoring Program.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

You must love it.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

How I spend my free time is not relevant.

Bio

I am a new faculty member in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, having completed my residency and fellowship training at the University of Chicago. My clinical interests include obesity management and diabetes. I am originally from Los Angeles, CA.

What inspired you to get into your field?

What started as an initial interest in science and medicine led to a commitment to following the progress of patients and advocating for them as they struggle with chronic disease. In addition, I wanted to address healthcare disparities so that I could contribute to the greater good. These are the passions that continue to fuel my enthusiasm for endocrinology and the medical field overall. I was inspired by seeing other people like me who were able to achieve their goals while maintaining a work-life balance.

What excites you about your work at Rush?

What continues to excite me about my work at Rush is its commitment to clinical medicine, patient advocacy, and collaborative efforts to combat obesity.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? 

I would not be where I am today without the involvement of key mentors throughout my life. Through each phase of my life, they have inspired and encouraged me to achieve my goals. I was lucky enough to have mentors whose shoes I could see myself in later in life; this provided me with the encouragement I needed to achieve my goals.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Try to have a niche or area of interest in any field that you pursue. This will set you apart. In most medicine subspecialties, an interest in continuity of care is important because it allows you to build relationships with patients and to follow them throughout their disease course. It is also important to achieve a work-life balance because you will need a support system outside of work.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I love to travel and eat, even as I try to combat obesity at work! The Chicago food scene is neverboring, and I love to try various cuisines at restaurants around the city. I also enjoy working out and practicing yoga.

Bio

I am the Associate Vice President, Chief Transformation Officer in the Ambulatory Transformation Office at Rush University Medical Center. Currently I am responsible for the design, build and operational functionality of a 480,000sf, 10 story ambulatory cancer and neurosciences building. While at Rush, I have also held the roles of Chief Administrative Officer Cancer Center, Acting Chief Nursing Officer, Associate Vice President for Professional Nursing Practice and Director of Behavioral Health. Prior to joining Rush, I was the Director of Nursing at Resurrection Medical Center for six years. From 1989-2001, I held a variety of clinical and leadership roles at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, including Director of Patient Care for their home infusion, pharmacy and home health care companies. I have published in multiple journals and co-authored a chapter in Cancer Nursing: Principles and Practice. I have also presented at numerous international and national conferences. I am a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International, Gamma Phi Chapter and a member of ACHE, AONL, and IONL. I also completed a fellowship in Executive Leadership from The Advisory Board Company in Washington, D.C.

What inspired you to get into your field?

The mix of science and caring brought me into the field of nursing.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I continue to be excited about my work at Rush. I have been afforded many varied experiences at Rush that have continued to foster learning, while building on my developed skill set.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I have benefited from being a mentor and being a mentee.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

It is good to have goals for your career, but do not miss an opportunity for the sake of staying on what you think is the “prescribed” path.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I spend my free time with my family and friends. I have a son who is in high school, so a lot of my time is spent attending sports activities. We also love to spend time at our cottage in Michigan.

Bio

I am a surgical oncologist with a special interest in the treatment of soft tissue malignancies, including melanoma, sarcoma and breast cancer. I have particular experience with techniques for the treatment of advanced malignancies, including regional therapies for unresectable limb and liver melanoma and sarcoma, intralesional injection therapies, intraoperative radiation and advanced robotic surgery. I obtained my MPH in health economics and policy from the Harvard School of Public Health, and my research focuses on health services, including clinical decision-making and the costs of cancer care.

What inspired you to get into your field?

Surgical oncology is a constantly-evolving field, and I love the challenges it provides as well as the opportunities to offer patients the most advanced treatments for their cancer. I also love the personal connections that I am able to forge with my patients as I help them navigate their cancer treatments.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Rush truly is a patient-centered, academic institution with great colleagues.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

None of us would be where we are today without our mentors, and if I am ever able to help a student, resident or colleague expand his or her career, I will take the opportunity without hesitation. As a junior faculty member, I believe that this is one of the most critical points in one’s medical career to have a mentor.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Understand your path, and find a good mentor to help you navigate it. Despite all the challenges, I am incredibly grateful to be a surgical oncologist.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I like doing yoga and trying to keep up with my five-year-old.

Bio

I graduated from GIST in South Korea and I was a post-doc fellow at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was motivated to find cures for diseases.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I love the productive collaboration at Rush.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I believe that by serving the mentee, the mentor learns more.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Be persistent.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy going to the gym, reading books and watching movies.

Bio

I am a cardiologist and an assistant professor of medicine at Rush University Medical Center. My internal medicine residency and subspecialty cardiology fellowship training were completed at the University of Chicago Medical Center and at Northwestern University in Chicago.

My research interests are in the field of Cardio-Oncology. I am currently championing research projects that involve initial identification of patients who are at risk of chemotherapy-induced and radiation-induced cardiomyopathy and projects that will lead to the future prevention of this condition.

I am the recipient of numerous awards, and I have published many peer-reviewed research articles, book chapters, editorials and review articles in the fields of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, and Cardio-Oncology. I also sit on several Cardio-Oncology committees and writing groups and have been invited to give several presentations on various topics in Cardio-Oncology. I place a strong emphasis on patient education, as well as on student and housestaff training.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I enjoying taking care of patients and making decisions regarding patient care. I enjoy the challenging nature of Cardio-Oncology.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I was excited to work at Rush because of the compassion and empathy that the staff members show for the patients they care for.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

It is nice and easier if you have one significant mentor who is well-accomplished and interested in your progress as the mentee. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. Mentees must remember that it is fine (and enriches the mentee’s experience) if they have a specific goal in mind and have multiple mentors providing a myriad of input and advice, to help them achieve that goal. Their experiences with mentoring and sponsorship are, in this way, robust. I believe the motivated mentees in  such cases accomplish more than what they had hoped for.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Talk to plenty of people who are in your field and get advice from as many people as possible.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I love spending time with family and friends, biking, reading novels and hiking. I am just beginning to get interested in flying. I will let you know how that goes!

Bio

I am the Director of Advanced Practice Providers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. In this role, I partner with other executive leaders to provide oversight, utilization, and continued development of the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) role across the health system. Prior to this role, I was the founding Director of Clinical Education for the Rush Department of PA Studies and have been a practicing PA in vascular surgery for more than 16 years. Outside of Rush, I am the current Director at Large for the American Academy of PAs, the former President and current legislative chairman for the Illinois Academy of Pas. I am also a member of Sullivan Cotter’s National APP Advisory Council. My interests and expertise include APP leadership and utilization, advocacy and legislation, workforce and service line development and provider burnout.

What inspired you to get into your field?

My inspiration stems from a strong desire for better access to high quality, team-based patient care.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Rush offered me the opportunity to grow from an early career clinical PA to a healthcare leader in education, advocacy and administration.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Mentorship and sponsorship are two different entities that are both important throughout your career. You need a mentor to help you navigate the clinical and professional waters, but a sponsor can help take you to the next level to leveraging their own partnerships and experiences.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

My advice would be to be open and honest about what you want and where you want to go.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

Most of my free time is spent with my wonderful children, supportive friends and family. We are a sports family so we are often running around enjoying the outdoors.

Bio

I received my medical degree from Northwestern University School of Medicine and then completed my pediatric residency and neonatology fellowship at Washington University, Saint Louis. I am a clinician in the neonatal intensive care unit and Research Director for the Section of Neonatology. My long-term research goal is the removal of barriers to maternal lactation and human milk feedings in the NICU. My research has focused on identifying health and cost outcomes of human milk feedings for very low birthweight infants, understanding barriers to continued provision of human milk for African American mothers of VLBW Infants and clinical nutritional studies in preterm infants.

What inspired you to get into your field?

Working with families during a very stressful time in their lives is a great responsibility, but it is equally rewarding. It is amazing to see the infants grow and develop while in the NICU and then send them home!

What excited you about your work at Rush?

My colleagues are a wonderful group; working with them is a joy.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I have had a wonderful mentor and sponsor who has helped me take on new challenges and roles, to grow as a researcher and to become a mentor myself. She has been a role model for me, and she is the type of mentor that I hope to be.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

It is important to work in an area that you are passionate about. This is critical to sustaining your interest through the years.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy reading, skiing, traveling and cooking.

Tell us about your background.

In 2011, I completed the Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship while working in the office of U.S. Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV, where I analyzed complex data in support of implementing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care and garnered support for prescription drug abuse legislation. From 2013 to 2017, I served as director of government and regulatory affairs at CGFNS International. While serving in that position, I helped the organization renew its five-year authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to issue Visa Screen certificates to foreign-educated health care professionals, and I helped it secure first-time NGO consultative status with the United Nations. In 2014, I received the Nursing Outlook’s Excellence in Health Policy Award from the American Academy of Nursing. I have penned more than 80 publications, edited four textbooks, including Cancer and Health Policy: Advancements and Opportunities, written a health policy column for Minority Nurse magazine, and I am a public voices fellow through the OpEd Project. I currently serve as director of nursing research and health equity at Rush University Medical Center.

What inspired you to get into your field?

My desire to pursue nursing as a career was shaped by my love of helping others. I had originally wanted to be a teacher until I was told that all of my high school classmates were pursuing teaching careers. I knew that nurses helped people, so I thought that this would be a good choice for me. Thankfully pursuing nursing has been one of the best decisions that I have ever made.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Rush is a great place where people can learn, grow and contribute to improving the health and well-being of everyone it serves, both internally and externally. Rush has great resources and tools to facilitate success in achieving organizational goals, as well as very helpful, knowledgeable and caring employees to assist in this endeavor.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

When I was here previously, I had a great experience with my mentor, John Mordach, who both inspired me and introduced me to some of the aspects of health care financing, which have informed my policy work. Rush has unmatched opportunities to be mentored and to mentor others.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Nursing is a noble, honorable and rewarding career that makes it possible to literally change lives. While it can be hard at times, it can also be very gratifying, and a nurse must be committed to excellence regardless of specialty, position or work setting. I am extremely grateful to have built a career in this field, partly because the diverse range of specialties and opportunities within the field of nursing far outshines that of other professions.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I truly love reading, writing for publication and traveling.

Bio

I graduated from the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine in 1998. I completed my emergency medicine residency at Cook County Hospital, and, in 2002, I began full-time employment at Rush University Medical Center (RUMC). I completed the Master’s Program in Clinical Research in 2006. My master’s thesis, a published manuscript, focused on patients with chest pain, who were admitted to the Emergency Department Observation Unit. Presently, I am a Senior Medical Director at the Department of Emergency Medicine at RUMC. I am an NIH-supported researcher, clinician, and educator. I have numerous publications in the field of Emergency Medicine.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I like that my field is fast-paced, diverse in its scope and procedure-oriented. It offers numerous challenges and rewards in terms of patient care.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I love working at Rush. It is an academic place, where I have a variety of responsibilities: clinical, teaching, administrative and research.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Everyone should have one of more mentors to guide them; it is equally as important to have a sponsor, who can advance your career.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Emergency medicine is a field that fits certain types of personalities: quick thinkers, decision makers, and multi-taskers. It is a very rewarding field, but it requires complete commitment.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

What I like most is spending time with my family and traveling.

Bio

My credentials include a BA in neuroscience from Oberlin College, an MD from Ohio State University (OSU), an internal medicine residency and a GI fellowship from OSU, and a liver yransplant Fellowship from Johns Hopkins University. I have served as an assistant professor at Rush University and as an associate professor at the University of Chicago, and I am currently a professor of medicine at Rush University.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I bounced around quite a bit before finding my groove, and it was only through a fortuitous accident that I discovered my profound love for hepatology. One of my first mentors taught me to fall in love with the mundane and not just the zebra, and I try to live by this solid advice.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Rush is an environment of opportunity, and it works hard to support the success of everyone with a vision.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Mentoring is the key to success. Without a compass to help direct your professional development, it is easy to find yourself making decisions that address your immediate needs but compromise your long term goals and ambitions. Mentors need not be gender-specific, and should always place their mentees’ interests above their own. I’ve been fortunate enough to have had several colleagues that have helped direct my career, and the most influential remain close friends of mine and have been directly responsible for my success.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to move out of your comfort zone. My field is rapidly evolving, and a clinician has to be willing and able to grow with his or her field.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I have three children. Driving them to sporting events and school activities is my only hobby.

Bio

In 1994, I received my PhD in electrochemistry and joined Argonne National Laboratory as a postdoctoral fellow. For over 19 years, I led fundamental research at Argonne in the areas of energy storage, materials for hydrogen storage, electrocatalytic membranes, nuclear forensics, sensor development and nanoscale engineering. I was also an adjunct professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology, where I mentored several graduate students, many of whom are now faculty members at national and international institutions. I also founded a postdoctoral program which, under my direction, was ranked No. 5 in the country by The Scientist magazine and expanded to include the mentoring of junior faculty. The UChicago Argonne LLC Board of Governors honored me with the Pinnacle of Education Award for my contributions and leadership in establishing Argonne’s postdoctoral program. I am also the recipient of the 2004 Luminary Award for Excellence in Science, Engineering and Leadership, granted by the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Conference, as well as several awards from the Chicago Chapter of the Electrochemical Society. I was appointed as the Women in Science and Engineering Program initiator of Argonne in 2012. Through this program, I provided support for the success of women in science and pushed for gender equity for women scientists. I was also a founding member and past president of and advisor to Argonne’s Hispanic Latino Club, which was developed to mentor middle school students and to help researchers serve as role models to students who are interested in STEM career opportunities.

What inspired you to get into your field?

Science is fascinating because it is always evolving. To be able to pass knowledge on to new generations has been an amazing experience.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

The energy and passion of young investigators and the commitment of senior faculty (researchers, clinicians, educators) to move medicine and health sciences to a new level and benefit society have always been what has excited me about working at Rush.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

I have been very fortunate to be on both sides of the relationship for a long time. I cannot imagine having succeeded at my career and life goals without the guidance of a mentor or the help of a sponsor. The rewards are mutual, and I strongly believe in paying it forward.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

On the scientific side, be sure to learn and understand fundamental concepts because they will be the foundation upon which you will build your career. On the administrative side, listen and learn from many different people. Be open to suggestions and flexible in your approaches.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

My family is the center of my life, so I try to spend as much time with them as I possibly can. I enjoy long walks, reading all types of books, traveling, movies, theater, classical music and having a nice cup of coffee with a friend.

Bio

I am Director of Nuclear Cardiology, Director of the Cardiology Consult Service and Associate Director for the Rush Heart Center for Women. I started our Cardia PET program in 2019, which was the first of its kind in Chicago. In addition, my clinical interests include women with heart disease and in particular, pregnancy-related heart disease.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I had amazing mentors who guided my interests and helped to advance my training in nuclear cardiology. They nominated me for committees and writing assignments that helped to further my career.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Rush has given me the opportunity to completely revamp our nuclear cardiology department with all new equipment and software. With the institution’s support, I was able to start the first cardiac PET program in the state of Illinois last year.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Mentoring and sponsorship has been critical to my career. I was lucky enough to have a fantastic mentor coming out of a fellowship who nominated me for committees and writing assignments that really helped to propel my career.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Networking and getting to know people is very important. Most senior leaders are happy to have a junior person helping them and working with them. All you have to do is ask.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I was a trained opera singer. I still love to sing, play the piano and spend time with my family and kids.

Bio

I am Professor of Medicine and Senior Attending Physician at Rush Medical College and Rush University Medical Center. I am also the Medical Director of the Rush Heart Center for Women and the recipient of the Madeleine and James McMullan-Carl E. Eybel, MD Chair of Excellence in Clinical Cardiology. I received my undergraduate degree with honors from Barnard College, Columbia University, and my medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. I am a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. I completed my residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics and my Cardiology and Clinical Electrophysiology fellowship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. I am board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology.  

My research interests include preventive and management strategies of atrial fibrillation, especially antiarrhythmic drugs and anticoagulants for the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation. I am an active member of the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. I have written numerous abstracts and articles on multiple topics, including women, stroke and heart disease, as well as cardiac electrophysiology. I have been invited to present my research at national and international conferences. In addition, I have given hundreds of local and national lectures and have served as an editor/reviewer for several scientific journals, including the American Journal of Cardiology and the Journal of the American Medical Association.

I am a board member and Past President of the Metro Chicago Board of Directors, and I recently finished serving on the Midwest Affiliate Board of the American Heart Association. I am also a member of two national AHA committees – Council of Women and Special Populations and Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research & Council on Epidemiology and Prevention. I am very active with efforts to increase awareness of heart disease in women. I have been a prominent leader of the Go Red for Women movement and have received numerous awards from Rush University Medical Center, the American Heart Association, Girls in the Game and the Asian American Hall of Fame. I have also been listed in the Marquis Who’s Who in the fields of education and science and on several lists of Top Doctors. In fact, I was  featured as a Top Doctor in the January 2008 -2016 issues of Chicago Magazine and was selected as a Top Doctor for Women in the field of Cardiology by Women’s Health Magazine.  I was also listed as a Top 1% Doctor in the Castle Connolly Medical List of Top Doctors in 2012 and as a Top Doctor in the Castle Connolly Medical List 2007-16. In addition, I serve on the national Scientific Advisory Board of WomenHeart. I received the Coeur d’Or Award at the 2011 and 2012 American Heart Association Heart Ball and wrote the foreword for the book, “Prevent a Second Heart Attack,” by Dr. Janet Bond Brill, which was released in February 2011. I am also a contributor to the Bates’ Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking, 11th Edition. In 2011, I received the honor of being named one of 100 women who make a difference in Today’s Chicago Woman Magazine, and, in 2013, I was listed as one of the 100 most influential women in Chicago. In November 2013, I was featured as a Today’s Chicago Woman Game Changer and, in 2014, was named one of Chicago’s 100 most inspiring women. I was awarded the 2015 leadership award by Concern Worldwide and have been interviewed by numerous newspapers, magazines, radio and television news shows about various health issues. I was also featured in O Magazine as Ms. Oprah Winfrey’s cardiologist in 2002 and in her profile that was published in Crain’s Chicago Business in 2003 and 2014.  I have served on the boards of the Menomonee Club for Boys and Girls and on the Tony award-winning Lookingglass Theatre Board. I currently serve on the Board of the Giordano Dance Company.

What inspired you to get into your field?

In 1984, there were more women who died of cardiovascular disease than men. Cardiovascular disease was the number one killer of American women and was responsible for more female deaths than all cancers put together. Women were being treated differently than men. For example, they were given hormone replacement therapy for high cholesterol instead of the more effective, cholesterol-lowering medications called statins. This resulted in thousands of women dying from cardiovascular disease.

In 2001, the American Heart Association started a campaign to increase awareness about heart disease in women. In 2003, this campaign was named the Go Red for Women campaign. Lynne Braun PhD, ANP, and I were involved with the inception of the awareness campaign, and we both continue to be involved with Go Red for Women. In 2003, the Rush Heart Center for Women opened its doors to prevent and treat heart disease in women. In addition to our services, we also offered complimentary nutrition counseling, which we were able to offer through funding from donors to whom we are very grateful. We wanted to provide comprehensive evaluation and compassionate care to prevent devastating cardiac events in women.

Heart disease continues to be the number one killer of American women and men, but there has been tremendous progress over the last decade. In 2013, as a result of these efforts, there are now fewer women dying of heart disease than men. This year marks the 13th anniversary of the Rush Heart Center for Women. Since the opening of the RHCW in 2003, we have taken care of thousands of women by treating and preventing heart disease. Many of the women we have taken care of have noted that stress, anxiety about their disease and concern about how they will be able to care for themselves and for their loved ones is their top priority. To accommodate these concerns, we have expanded our services to include a nutritionist, an integrative cardiologist, a cardio-oncologist, a genetic counselor and a cognitive neurologist to provide innovative care and offer prevention strategies to increase the quality of life of the women who receive care at the RHCW. Our mission is to help women and their families live healthier lives through prevention and treatment of heart disease and strokes. To show my support for the Go Red for Women campaign, I wear red every day to remind people that the number one cause of death among women is still heart disease.

Bio

I have worked as a family nurse practitioner in community health for over 30 years, primarily serving immigrants, refugees and people with disabilities across the spectrum. Prior to this, I studied medical anthropology both in the US and abroad. I have a background in health informatics as well.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was inspired to become a nurse practitioner because it is an important way to put social justice into action.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I am very grateful to have the opportunity to work as part of a team that is committed to excellence in education and to the exploration of creative ways to constantly improve what we offer students.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I have mentored many students and new nurse practitioners. It is essential for the growth of the profession to support those who are just entering it.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Be focused, but open to change, continual learning and self-reflection. If you want to give the best to your patients, take care of yourself!

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy gardening, reading, watching movies, spending time with animals and traveling!

Bio

I specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation. I was fellowship trained in interventional spine procedures, and I also have a special interest in acupuncture.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was inspired to get into physical medicine and rehabilitation by a strong drive toward teamwork. After my residency, I wanted to subspecialize, so I did a fellowship with additional training in acupuncture.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

There is a strong spirit of teamwork here, and I love how dedicated my colleagues are to taking good care of patients.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

It is our common responsibility to help one another rise up.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Work hard so you can play hard.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I really enjoy sports and spending time with my children.

Bio

I am an assistant professor of Obstetrics/Gynecology, a medical director for faculty general obstetrics/gynecology practice, and the section chief for ambulatory obstetrics/gynecology.

What inspired you to get into your field?

My love for women’s health inspired me. I enjoy the diversity of clinical practice in obstetrics/gynecology. In my work, I get to be involved in surgical, obstetric, and office/primary care.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I was excited to build a busy, new, general obstetrics/gynecology practice. Providing high-level care to patients, including many employees and their families, is very satisfying for me. Teaching students and residents through our provision of patient-centered care is also one of the things I enjoy most about my work.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I am always looking for mentors to help me navigate administrative roles in a large academic center. And, I am always willing to mentor others who follow me.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Make sure you love it. It takes an unbelievable amount of time and energy to be an outstanding obstetrician/gynecologist.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

My hobbies include spending time with my children, my husband, my friends and their families. I also love being outside in nature and reading novels. In fact, I would like to write one someday.

Bio

I am a Head and Neck Cancer ablative and reconstructive surgeon. I completed my residency at UIC and a fellowship at the University of Michigan.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I have had excellent role models, and I love the patients

What excited you about your work at Rush?

The chance to help develop a new program is what excited me about my work at Rush.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

It is important.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

This is the best job ever.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I like to spend my free time with my teenagers.

Bio

I am an Assistant Professor of Behavioral Sciences and a licensed clinical psychologist. I am also Assistant Director of the Outpatient Psychotherapy Service and co-Director of the Center for Women’s Behavioral and Mental Health at Rush. My clinical specialty is treatment of perinatal depression and anxiety. My research focuses on the impact of stress, trauma, and anxiety on pregnancy outcomes, including postpartum mental health and parenting. In my teaching role, I help students and medical residents understand and address the impact of traumatic stress on medical populations, particularly obstetrics and gynecology.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I have always been inspired by the incredible transformation that takes place during pregnancy and the transition to parenthood. As the most transformative stage in human development - for both mothers and infants - the perinatal period unlocks an immense potential within us for growth, resilience, and fulfillment. It also demands an immense amount of energy, resources, and support, and is therefore a time of heightened vulnerability. This is especially true for women who have faced trauma or adversity in early life. When I volunteered as a childbirth doula for mostly single mothers before starting graduate school, it was clear to me that when women feel supported and cared for, they are healthier and more empowered as parents. The importance of building resilience and support for pregnant women, within the whole bio-psycho-social context, underpins all of my clinical and scientific work.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I truly consider myself to be working in my “dream job.” Rush fosters a collaborative clinical and research environment where I have been able to partner with other health care professionals and scientists who are as passionate about women’s health as I am and who are as compassionate as I strive to be. In addition to being supported I am constantly challenged. I don’t like to be bored - and I never am!

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

The most important thing in life is relationships. This is no less true in one’s professional life. A strong mentoring team is essential to professional development, growth, and success. My mentors offer guidance and training while also “stepping back” and allowing me to trust my decisions and instincts. They also have given me more support than I could possibly have asked for as I expanded my own family, helping me to find that elusive work-life balance.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Reach out to people. Meet lots of people across an array of disciplines who share your passions, whether for patient care, science, or community involvement. Not every meeting will lead to a partnership. In fact, few will. Do it anyway. Find a mentor who is a partner in your work who will connect you to others in the field. This is an ongoing part of mentoring and collaboration rather than a one-time event. Ideally, build a team of two or three mentors whose strengths match your professional goals.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I recently added twins, a boy and a girl, to my family and they keep me very busy! I enjoy spending my time with them, being outside as much as possible, and taking advantage of having grandparents nearby! In the future I hope to do more open-water swimming and taking my twins on little adventures.

Bio

I am originally from Illinois, and I completed medical school at Chicago Medical School. I then went on to complete an Emergency Medicine Residency at the Jacobi/Montefiore Residency in the Bronx. Currently, I am finishing an Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship with Cook County and Rush and will be staying on as an attending at Rush after this fellowship ends in July 2017.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I love to be challenged and to experience new things everyday. The fast pace and unpredictability of each day keep the work fresh and exciting, and these aspects of my work keep me coming back for more.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Rush is a wonderful environment with extensive resources for our patients. I am proud that weprovide excellent care for the population we serve.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I would love to have a mentor. I’m happy to provide whatever mentoring that students and residents require, but, at this point in my career, I think that having a mentor would be more beneficial to me.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Be prepared to work hard and stay on your toes everyday. Know that at times the work will be challenging in every way, but it can still be incredibly rewarding.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I love to go to new restaurants and try new types of food. I also love to read all kinds of books.

Bio

I am a geriatric psychiatrist who is the chief of geriatric psychiatry and the medical director of the inpatient geriatric psychiatry unit.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was fascinated by the impact of age on emotional and cognitive processes.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I came to Rush because of the opportunity for collaborative, interdisciplinary care of older adults.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Mentoring and sponsorship are the keys to professional growth and success. It is important to be open to nontraditional mentorship opportunities.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Geriatric psychiatry is a field for the physician interested in both psychiatry and medicine, as well as working with older adults, their families, and an interdisciplinary team. More than a career, it is a passion.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

Listening to or playing music with my husband and friends and pursuing genealogical questions.

Bio

I am a professor in the Department of Community, Systems and Mental Health Nursing at Rush University in Chicago. I have practiced in acute care, home health care and public health settings over the past thirty years. My research has been focused on program development and evaluation of community health workers, engaging urban communities in health promotion and health policy to support health promotion efforts.  I have also taught public health nursing at the pre-licensure and graduate/specialty levels at several universities and co-directed ten years of HRSA-supported work to develop an online doctoral program in Advanced Public Health Nursing, ensuring that it met the Quad Council competencies for Public Health Nursing practice.

I am a member of a number of public health and public health nursing organizations and a past president of the Association of Community Health Nursing Educators (ACHNE). In my role with ACHNE, I served on the Quad Council for Public Health Nursing organizations, and I was a member of the Task Force that revised the Competencies for Public Health Nursing (2010-2012). In 2011, D I was appointed by President Obama to the Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion and Integrative and Public Health, a group designed to advise on the development and implementation of the National Prevention Strategy. I am also a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and of the Institute of Medicine of Chicago. In 2016, I was appointed to serve on the Community Preventive Services Task Force of the CDC.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was always interested in the health professions but I was drawn towards nursing by its focus on seeing health broadly and working with clients/patients on their health status within the limits of their emotional, psychological and social realities.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I like the way Rush focuses on clinical application and the patient’s welfare. In my work, this translates to communities, but the Rush focus is always on real outcomes for real people.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I have been fortunate to have mentors who guided me in nursing scholarship, public health and policy. In turn, I reach out to students and colleagues because I want to support and guide them in their work, with the overall goal of improving scholarship and practice to enhance the health of the public.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Keep one foot in clinical practice; this will inform and enhance your research, scholarship and teaching.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy hiking, reading and traveling.

Bio

After completing a fellowship in minimally invasive gynecological surgery at Penn State University’s Hershey Medical Center, I returned to Chicago to start my own private practice. I currently only practice gynecology, and primarily do office and minimally invasive gynecological procedures.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was inspired to enter the field of obstetrics and gynecology by my desire to take care of women and their health needs as they transition from adolescence to menopause.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

The opportunity to teach and mentor residents keeps me very interested and excited about imparting my knowledge and wisdom to future obstetricians and gynecologists.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I believe mentoring is a very important way of “paying it forward” to future obstetricians and gynecologists.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Be passionate about what you do.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I like running marathons.

Bio

I specializes in Cornea, Refractive Surgery and external diseases. I have completed my residency training in ophthalmology at Rush from 2010 to2014 and fellowship training at University of California in Los Angeles before returning to Rush to join as a faculty.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I found ophthalmology to be fascinating because of the cutting edge technologies, improvements in surgeries and impact that improving vision has on patient’s quality of life.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I love the clinical focus at rush and the culture of excellent patient care.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I have never realized how much mentoring goes on just as you walk down the hall talking to my colleagues and senior faculty members. Their insight is invaluable.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Spend time observing and working with physicians in the field you are interested in.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I love hiking and spending time with my son at the park.

Bio

I am the Associate Dean for Research and a professor for both the Department of Clinical Nutrition and the Department of Preventive Medicine. My expertise is in assessment of dietary behaviors of individuals and population samples in relation to cardiovascular and cognitive health.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I wanted to understand the power of food and overall health. My first job out of college was in the lab of Dr. Pete Ahrens and Dr. Jules Hirsch at the Rockefeller Institute where the cholesterol metabolism of morbidly obese adults was being studied. It was a wonderful environment, and these researchers encouraged my entry into graduate school and nutrition research.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

The opportunity to work with other researchers in Preventive Medicine, Women’s Health and neurologists who specialize in movement disorders to improve health is what I love about my work at Rush.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Mentoring students and fellow faculty is so fulfilling. It gives me so much joy to see students and faculty I have mentored grow and add so much to our understanding of nutrition science and practice.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

I recommend getting involved in research as soon as possible.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy cycling, motor cycling and gardening.

Bio

I am an assistant professor with the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences. I have specialized in caring for children with craniofacial anomalies/cleft lip and palate, feeding/swallowing difficulties, pediatric voice/resonance and upper airway disorders for nearly 20 years. I am also an active clinical researcher and presenter and have published several articles and book chapters related to pediatric voice and feeding. My research interests include pediatric outcomes and health-related quality of life.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was inspired to specialize in craniofacial anomalies/cleft lip and palate from my experiences in graduate school using an inter-professional team approach. To be able to provide a child with a complex medical history with the opportunity to communicate and “use” their voice is truly remarkable.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

The ability to provide excellent patient care, train future clinicians, conduct cutting-edge research and partner with community organizations is what I love about my work at Rush.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I feel very fortunate to have the support of my department to participate in the mentoring program at Rush. Mentorship is something to be valued at all levels of career development and the relationships that one cultivates can last a lifetime, leading to both professional and personal growth.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Always be open to new experiences and learning opportunities.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy reading, cooking, spending time with my family and being outdoors.

Bio

I am the first female doctor in a family of doctors. My grandfather, uncles and father all went to Rush when it was part of the University of Chicago. I elected to come to Rush because it was new and looking for better ways to care for patients. Initially, the students had both a large role in developing the curriculum and close relationships with the faculty because the classes were small. I did my Internal Medicine residency at Rush and my AI fellowship here as well before joining the faculty at Loyola. I started the first AI program there. Sixteen years later, I returned to Rush when my GI colleagues, Dr. Keshavarzian and Dr. DeMeo moved here to continue their research. I also wanted to teach in an AI fellowship program.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was initially interested in women with autoimmune diseases, like Lupus. However, during my Internal Medicine training, I met Alan Luskin, MD, who was the first AI director. I realized that I could take care of both adults and children with allergic and immunologic disease, so I entered the new AI fellowship at Rush.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I really loved the collegiality of working at Rush. I love working with teams of practitioners with different skill sets in order to help patients.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I think it is essential. I am from an era where we did not have hardly any mentoring or sponsorship, so I am thrilled that the younger faculty will have this type of support.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

It is a great field with a bright future because there are so many immunotherapies. It also allows you to work with both adults and children.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I like to travel, but walking and reading are what I get to do most often.

Bio

I completed all of my medical training in Philadelphia at Hahnemann University. I’ve been challenged at several academic institutions, including Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Miami. Later, I joined the staff at Rush. I’m a non-invasive Cardiologist with many passions of the heart. I run our Echocardiography Lab, Solid Organ Transplant Cardiology Program, and Cardiac Rehabilitation. I’m proudly married and the mom of three children. I was recently accepted to and attended the Mid-Career Women Faculty Professional Development Seminar. This seminar was inspiring and instructed me on how to become a better person, leader, mentor, and friend.

What inspired you to get into your field?

Very early in my medical training, I was introduced to the Cardiology Faculty at Hahnemann University. I began collaborating with them on multiple research projects. Through this interaction, I was taught the intricacies of the heart. The heart made sense to me, with all of its pumping and pulsing. I love what I do. And, I love to teach what I do. I’m a mentor to my students and my children.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

At Rush, I’m able to be involved in so many areas of non-invasive Cardiology. In this capacity, I facilitate and grow many programs, which, ultimately, have a positive impact on our patients.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

We have all been mentored, although we may not realize it. Take a moment to think about those who have taken a special interest in what you do. You will come up with at least one name. Then send that person an email and update them on what you’ve accomplished. They will be so happy that you did. Next, choose someone to sponsor. You will feel so fulfilled if you reach out and assist a colleague, trainee, or student. Put these goals on your bucket list.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Cardiology is always evolving. I’m never bored, and I’m always learning. Go into a specialty that will continue to inspire you and make you happy.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I’m very active. Running is my thing. But, my heart is with my family when I’m not working. Without them, life would be a bore.

Tell us about your background.

I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, earned my undergraduate degree at Harvard and attended Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, where I completed my medical degree. I completed my internal medicine residency at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. I came to Rush in 2013 and joined the Division of Hospital Medicine, where I have been ever since. Over the years, in addition to clinical work, I have pursued non-clinical medicine interests at Rush, including serving as the medical director of the attending and advanced practice provider directed services within Hospital Medicine; serving on the Department of Internal Medicine quality committee; and, more prominently, serving in Rush Medical College as a member of the admissions committee, as a faculty advisor to students and as co-director of the subinternship in internal medicine. Currently I am the practitioner role leader (director of clinical skills) at Rush Medical College and a clinician-educator for first- and second-year students, in addition to being a hospitalist.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was inspired by a desire to take care of patients during a time of illness and need when they are hospitalized; an interest in improving the quality of health care; and a commitment to teaching the next generation of physicians how to best diagnose, treat and care for patients.

What excites you about your work at Rush?

There was a lot of teaching time among the resident services that were offered when I first started, and the community of colleagues at Rush is a group of very down-to-earth, warm, motivated people.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

Mentoring is key to staying motivated and successful. Hearing from those who have been in your shoes before and can help you reach your goals is very valuable. Sponsorship is very helpful in experiencing new roles and finding areas of growth and leadership. I have received mentorship both officially and unofficially from many women in my division and outside of it. I have also been fortunate to have sponsors in both my division and department as well as at Rush Medical College who have given me opportunities that I had never dreamed. And I love them all!

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Get involved. Explore different opportunities and see what sticks and what excites you the most. You will likely volunteer your time first, and then, once you’ve built up a reputation, folks may start to buy out your time to do non-clinical work. I was once told, “The key to academic medicine is to get your time bought out to not see patients.” This was said in both in jest and in truth. We all love seeing patients, but we also want to contribute to the field in a larger capacity at an academic institution. Also, put yourself in your boss’s shoes when asking for anything. It’s not just about what your boss can do for you, but what you can bring to the table to support your group.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy chasing my children around, being outdoors and cooking.

Bio

I have been at Rush since 2013 and have served as a faculty of the HSM program since 2014. I am also the 2016 recipient of the Wayne Lerner Manager of the Year Award. I served as the Administrator of the Division of Cardiology in the Department of Internal Medicine from 2014 to 2018 and as the Cardiovascular Service Line Administrator for the Rush System for Health until 2019. In September 2019, I accepted a new role as Senior Advisor to Dr. Omar Lateef, President and CEO of Rush University Medical Center. In this role, I oversee the operations of the Office of the CEO, planning and executing critical meetings, supervising and mentoring the administrative fellows and providing leadership and direction for key change management initiatives.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I enjoy the challenging complexities of health care delivery as well as strategic partnerships with physician leaders.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I am excited to work at Rush because of the excellent quality of care, physician partnerships and the culture of putting patients first.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Mentoring and sponsorship are really important to a successful career. A good mentor can help you more effectively navigate your professional environment and a sponsor will leverage their connections to aid in your success. Both are highly valuable!

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

In healthcare administration, we are constantly partnering with physicians and clinical team members. I always tell people how important it is to learn a common language - learn enough about the clinical elements so you can partner effectively and help your clinical colleagues understand key business components that will drive success.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy traveling and cooking.

Tell us about your background.

I earned my PhD in disability studies and degree in occupational therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. My research and teaching interests include weaving disability studies principles into OT professional education and evaluating structural barriers to health and wellness of people with disabilities.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I am drawn to occupational therapy because of its commitment to viewing the whole person, addressing issues of social inclusion, social justice and enabling occupational participation. Disability studies offers a differing lens of the many contextual factors that influence these concerns.

What excites you about your work at Rush?

The Rush commitment to being a leader in health care education and community needs provides an opportunity to invest my experience as a clinician, researcher and educator in a community where there are reciprocating expectations of excellence.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

I believe mentoring is invaluable for the role it plays for all participants. My own experiences make me question what experiences have taught me more: acting in the role of mentor or mentee? Clinically the benefits result in more positive experiences for the clients we serve. Professionally it creates an opportunity for life-long learning.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

To understand occupational therapy’s depth and breadth, a person must should explore more than a single clinical context. Understanding how OT works to increase participation comes with seeing the approaches of the profession used across diverse communities, populations and groups.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

My interests outside of work include sports and outdoor experiences of all kinds; even better is spent with my family and friends.

Tell us about your background

I am a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified personal trainer. I do consulting in the Chicagoland area with individuals and organizations that are interested in behavior change in order to pursue healthy living. I am also an assistant professor, and I direct the lifestyle programs offered by the Department of Preventive Medicine at Rush University Medical Center. I am certified in adult weight management and have expertise in the design and implementation of clinical and workplace wellness programs that are focused on fostering sustainable lifestyle change. I have more than 12 years of clinical and teaching experience in nutrition and physical activity.

What inspired you to get into your field?

My father died at age 45 after suffering through a series of heart attacks and, ultimately, a failed heart transplant. It didn’t take long for me to make the connection that a lifestyle of poor food choices and physical inactivity was the main driver of this type of suffering. I wanted to teach people about the role of nutrition and activity in healthy living and inspire them to make behavior changes.

What excites you about your work at Rush?

I have the opportunity to work with internationally recognized researchers to utilize existing, evidence-based recommendations for disease prevention and management and to develop new ones. I’m proud to be in an environment that is challenging and allows me to combine research activities with clinical care.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

It is important to have mentors within and outside of your scope of practice. I have had mentors since the beginning of my training from whom I continue to learn and mentors who are experts outside my field who have inspired me to expand my scope of practice.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Keep an open mind. Dietetics is a field in which there are endless possibilities. You may not know where your passion lies until you experience it. Networking is key! Spend some time interacting with nutrition/fitness professionals in areas you think you may enjoy. And save those business cards!

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I’ve always been a “people person,” so family and friends really fill me up. Travel and social events with loved ones are important to me. I also need my alone time. Mindfulness and meditation practice have changed the way I deal with stress and helped me enjoy life more fully.

Bio

I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition at Rush University Medical Center. I received my BS in Biology in 2002 from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay and have completed my PhD in Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics at Loyola University Chicago in 2010. I also completed a post-doctoral research fellowship in the Department of Internal Medicine at Loyola in 2012, when I was appointed an Assistant Professor. I was then named an Associate Professor in 2020. I have also been Principle Investigator (PI) and Co-Investigator (Co-I) on numerous grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In 2007, I received a pre-doctoral research fellowship (F31) from the National Institute Drug Abuse (NIDA), which helped support my dissertation research. This research was focused on the role of the GABAB receptor in methamphetamine addiction. During my time as a post-doctoral research fellow and as an Assistant Professor, I studied the gut-brain axis and was Co-I on several NIH funded projects. Currently, I have an R01 from the National Institute of Aging (NIA) to study the role of the intestinal microbiome in cognition / Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, I have 44 peer reviewed publications, an h-index of 23, and I am a reviewer for many journals. I have also served on several NIH study sections.

What inspired you to get into your field?

My grandfather had multiple sclerosis (MS), so I wanted to do research on MS. While I have yet to do research on MS, I do research on many other neurodegenerative diseases and look forward to including MS in my portfolio at some point!

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I am lucky enough to get to interact with an incredibly diverse group of people (clinicians and bench researchers) in my role at Rush. These opportunities expand what I know and allow me to apply this new knowledge to my research interests. Best of all, these discussions sometimes lead to really successful collaborations.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Being mentored is critical, but mentoring does not have to be formal to be meaningful. Asking questions is a great way to learn from others.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Good scientists push each other to be better and challenge ideas in a constructive way. Find a group you are comfortable with so you can ask questions and receive meaningful feedback.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy being at the gym, traveling around the world and hanging out with my pup.

Tell us about your background.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and the assistant research director at the Autism Assessment, Research, Treatment and Services Center at Rush University Medical Center. I am a clinical scientist with experience in developing and evaluating behavioral interventions and service delivery models for young children with autism spectrum disorder, or ASD. The central theme of my published scientific work has been to identify ways to support the transportation of effective intervention to the “real world” and increase access to high-quality intervention for all children with ASD.

What inspired you to get into your field?

When I was in high school, I participated in a program called Best Buddies, which helped connect students with special needs and their typically developing peers. The friendships I made through that program are still strong today and inspired me to pursue a career path committed to helping to improve the lives of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities and related conditions.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Through Rush I have been able to work with hospital and community partners to determine the best strategies for reaching underserved families and helping to enroll them in research and clinical services.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

The mentoring I have received at Rush has been invaluable as I transition to a junior faculty member. In particular the experiences and support afforded by the Rush Research Mentoring Program have been critical in helping me to secure external funding and grow as a clinical scientist.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Make sure you are passionate about your field of study!

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I like reading, exercising, doing pottery and taking my dog, Lolli, to the dog park.

Bio

I am an internist, practicing Ambulatory Medicine. Much of my career has revolved around undergraduate and graduate medical education. I have special interests in Preventive Health Care and Women’s Health.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was inspired by women faculty who taught me the basic and clinical sciences.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I like the way people focus on the patients and how here you are able to work with world-class specialists.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

We all have developed our professional profiles with mentorship. I am particularly inspired by mentoring medical students.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Be prepared to work hard. Find a discipline that you love. Treat your patients like you would want your family to be treated.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I am a ‘foodie’ and enjoy eating out in Chicago. I also collect kaleidoscopes and art glass.

Bio

I trained at Duke University where I was Chief Resident. I then came to Rush and started the regional anesthesia program.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was inspired to become a doctor by my pediatrician. After working abroad in Nigeria and caring for critically ill children there, I was driven to become an anesthesiologist.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I was excited to have the opportunity to build the regional program from the ground up.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

I believe it is vital, especially for new, young women in our specialty. My residency director at Duke was a woman, and she played an integral part in my education through her mentorship.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Realize that, although the playing field is continuing to become more even, there are still people who will judge and criticize you because you are a woman. Keep proving yourself because it is worth it in the end.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I love gardening and playing with my children.

Bio

I have master’s degrees in Child Development and Clinical Psychology, and a PhD in Clinical Psychology. My research and clinical interests lie in understanding the development of externalizing behavior in early-to-middle childhood and in expanding access to empirically supported treatments for child behavior problems to underserved families.

What inspired you to get into your field?

Psychology is one big puzzle, and I am interested in understanding how all of the different pieces (e.g., genetics, brain development, cultural factors, social environment, etc.) fit together to shape child development. This is a field for people who love to think from a multidisciplinary lens.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

Rush’s commitment to addressing health disparities aligns perfectly with my personal and professional goals.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship? Please comment about your experiences.

Having a supportive mentor is critical to developing your research program. I have been fortunate to have strong supporters at every step of my training and professional development, and I hope to pay it forward to the next generation of clinical scientists.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Be well-rounded in your research and clinical endeavors because they inform one another. Understanding the needs of your patient population and having a passion for what you do as a clinician gives you the grit to weather the uncertainty of the research world.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy reading, drinking good coffee, spending time with family and yoga.