Mariam Aziz, MD

Associate Professor
Department of Internal Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases), Rush Medical College
Department of Pediatrics, Rush Medical College
Role: Administrator (Program Director), Clinician, Faculty and Researcher
Joined Rush in 2010

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 excited 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.