Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Department of Medicine

Peer Coaching

The Department of Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine proudly supports a peer coaching program for all new faculty and existing faculty. Every new faculty member is paired with a trained Department of Medicine faculty coach. The peer coaches work with faculty to help them acclimate to the department, their divisions and the university on a quarterly basis for a term of 18 months. Coachees are encouraged to outline and work toward personal and professional goals. This program is also available to faculty-at-large who desire peer coaching.

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How Is Coaching Different From Mentoring?

Coaching and mentoring share some similarities, but their goals are very different. 

  • Coaching is usually a short-term relationship where the goal is to determine the step toward desired professional or personal outcomes.
  • Mentoring relationships are typically long-term, one-on-one relationships where the mentor has skill set or expertise and they help the mentee develop those skills sets over time. For more information on campus mentoring, please visit the NUCATS Mentoring Consultation Services website.

Testimonials

I loved having a peer coach different from my current career trajectory (hospitalist vs ambulatory care subspecialty) as this gave me an opportunity to connect and learn from someone who I would not have easily formed a relationship out of this program.”

It makes me feel more connected to Northwestern as new faculty. I found ways to get involved in education and advance my career.”

I found my peer coach to be very resourceful and engaging in our conversations. Her candid responses and thoughtful advice on how to approach a situation or struggle I was having  was very insightful. Overall, I am very happy with my experience in this program and grateful my peer coach and I are going to periodically touch base despite completing the program.”

Program Leadership

Cybele Ghossein, MD

Professor of Medicine
Vice Chair, Academic & Faculty Affairs

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I am clinical nephrologist and have been on faculty at Northwestern for 20 years. I am currently the Associate Chief for Clinical Operations in Nephrology and the Vice Chair of Academic and Faculty Affairs in the Department of Medicine. My goal is to provide the support that faculty need to succeed. I value the relationships and collaborations that I have established and want to ensure that our faculty benefit from all that Northwestern has to offer. When I am not at work, you may find me spending time with family or friends, running on the lake front or reading a good novel.
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Lead Peer Coaches

Kiran Nimmagadda, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine (Gastroenterology and Hepatology)

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I initially joined the Northwestern faculty in 2004, as contributed service faculty in the Division of Gastroenterology. I subsequently transitioned to employed faculty in Northwestern Medical Group (NMG) and, most recently, migrated to full-time clinical faculty in NMG and Northwestern University. My professional time consists of direct patient care, clinical education, and committee work (NMG quality oversight committee, Digestive Health Center quality committee, and NMH GI operations committee). I consider it invaluable to have the opportunity to empower faculty with the tools, guidance, and support to thrive in their respective careers. I savor the ability to participate in enhancing faculty engagement, improving camaraderie, and strengthening our university’s faculty.
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Vera Rigolin, MD

Professor of Medicine (Cardiology)

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I am a member of the division of cardiology at Northwestern Medicine. I am passionate about clinical medicine and education. I have served many roles at Northwestern including past program director for the general cardiology fellowship program and more recently the medical director for the echocardiography laboratory at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the co-director of Northwestern’s advanced cardiovascular disease imaging fellowship. I am also involved professionally with the American Heart Association, The American College of Cardiology and The American Society of Echocardiography. Through my involvement on the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and eventually President of the American Society of Echocardiography, I have been able to participate in education, advocacy and research at a national and international level. On a personal level, my husband and I love bike riding, hiking, travel, eating new foods and meeting interesting people.I am a member of the division of cardiology at Northwestern Medicine. I am passionate about clinical medicine and education. I have served many roles at Northwestern including past program director for the general cardiology fellowship program and more recently the medical director for the echocardiography laboratory at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the co-director of Northwestern’s advanced cardiovascular disease imaging fellowship. I am also involved professionally with the American Heart Association, The American College of Cardiology and The American Society of Echocardiography. Through my involvement on the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and eventually President of the American Society of Echocardiography, I have been able to participate in education, advocacy and research at a national and international level. On a personal level, my husband and I love bike riding, hiking, travel, eating new foods and meeting interesting people.
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Peer Coaches

Michael Angarone, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) and Medical Education

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I am a member of the Division of Infectious Diseases and have been on faculty since 2009. My professional interest is in medical education, at the undergraduate and graduate level. For the past 6 years, I have been the Clerkship Director for the Medicine Sub-Internship for Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. I am a core faculty member for the Internal Medicine Residency Program and an Associate Program Director for the Infectious Diseases Fellowship. During my time as a medical educator, I have had the opportunity to coach and mentor numerous medical students, residents, and fellows. It has been a privilege to help these individuals find the right path for their career, and to watch them progress in their career as a physician. As a peer coach, I plan on utilizing my experiences with trainees to help fellow physicians identify a career path and find the best way to achieve their goals. When I am not at work, I spend my time reading, listening to music, or playing board games with my wife and two boys. 

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Keith Benzuly, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine (Cardiology)

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I went to NU for my BA and then trained in multiple institutions around the country, but I have been at NM since completing my training. I am a clinical and interventional cardiologist. In the cath lab, I specialize in complex coronary interventions. My practice also includes attending in the CCU and in the outpatient clinic. I am actively involved in clinical research. There is no greater calling than helping others and that includes not only treating patients but also teaching and mentoring as well. Finding time for all the clinical work, research and teaching as well as family is a challenge. Fortunately, I found my personal balance. Somehow, I still find time for tennis, a run and sleep; it’s just a little harder with a young daughter.
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Jennifer Bierman, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics) and Medical Education

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Almost 20 years ago, I was asked to speak on work/life balance, and I have been mulling over this concept ever since. I am primarily an outpatient general medicine physician but spend a few weeks a year on the inpatient side. I am heavily involved in medical student education, and for the past 15 years I have spent half of my time running the primary care curriculum for Feinberg. I am married with 3 nearly grown children and the integration of my work and personal life ebbed and flowed as my children grew, teaching me there is no perfect ‘balance’. I learned a lot along the way, and I hope to be able to continue to guide others in identifying their priorities and finding solutions to feel productive in all aspects of their work life yet maintaining personal wellness. Weekends I enjoy seeing friends and family preferably while simultaneously hiking in the woods.

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Gopi Astik, MD, MS

Assistant Professor of Medicine (Hospital Medicine)

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As a Medical Director of Clinical Documentation, I spend time teaching students, residents, faculty and nurses about the importance of documentation and how we can best accurately describe the acuity of our patients. Professionally, I also serve as a medical director of an inpatient unit, where I am often discussing difficult cases, family discussions and improving communication across the care spectrum. Both of these roles allow for education and coaching in different fields and I am excited for the opportunity to work with more people in my role as a peer coach.
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John M. Coleman, III, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care) and Neurology

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I have been on the Northwestern faculty for 10 years as a member of the Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care medicine. As a clinician educator, I have had the great opportunity to mentor many fellows, residents and students during both my inpatient time in the Medical ICU and outpatient in the multidisciplinary ALS clinic. It was my life dream to be a physician and even though it is not easy, some days can be very challenging and exhausting, I never regret my career. Medicine is about understanding the importance of work-life balance. It is easy to get pulled in a million directions in healthcare today and lose focus of yourself and your personal life. There needs to be a healthy work-life balance to be a great physician, to do your best for your patients and expect the same for yourself. A good peer coach is someone who supports you on your journey to figure out what you want and does not come in with their own agenda. I am honored for this opportunity to work with my colleagues.
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Rachel Cyrus, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine (Hospital Medicine)

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I joined the Northwestern faculty in 2008 in the Division of Hospital Medicine. I practice clinically and have also branched into various administrative and quality roles, currently serving as the Clinical Practice Director for the Division of Hospital Medicine and Key Medical Director for the inpatient medicine services. My coaching interests include quality improvement, creating efficient practice strategies, faculty development, and physician engagement. I have been part of numerous quality initiatives and helped with faculty development curriculum design. Personally, I like being outdoors and active when outside of work. I consider myself organized and relaxed and endorse self-forgiveness and encouragement as we navigate work and life goals and look to cultivate joy in both.
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Maya Vallabhaneni Defoe, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine (Hospital Medicine)

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I have a been a Northwestern Faculty member of the Division of Hospital Medicine since 2015. In addition to my clinical work, I serve as the Director of Recruitment and Orientation as well a Medical Director of Clinical Documentation. Coaching is an integral part of both roles – I help newly hired hospitalists transition to working at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and I mentor clinical documentation specialists on how to effectively engage clinical providers. A primary interest of mine both professionally and personally lies in physician well-being. I am a Scholars of Wellness graduate who’s research explores the drivers of faculty engagement with a particular focus in reducing gender disparities within the medical work force. Personally, when I’m not chasing around my two young sons, I like reading, trying out the newest neighborhood restaurants, and hanging out with my community of good friends.
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Aarati D. Didwania, MD

Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics) and Medical Education

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I am a member of the General Internal Medicine/Geriatrics Division and joined the faculty in 1999. I am involved in medical education starting at the undergraduate level and progressing into residency. Clinically, I am a primary care physician and run a specialty clinic caring for adult survivors of childhood cancer. Personally, I am married to a physician and have two teenage boys. I enjoy traveling and value my personal time. Over the course of two decades at Northwestern I have been a part of various institutional and personal transitions. I enjoy my time at work and pride myself on being efficient so that I can also enjoy my time at home.
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Aashish Didwania, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine (GIM)

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Dr. Aashish Didwania is a graduate of Stanford University and University of Michigan Medical School. He completed his residency at Northwestern University after which he served as a chief medical resident. Dr. Didwania has been the Internal Medicine Residency Program Director for over ten years, and serves as the Vice Chair of Education for the DOM. He is a primary care physician, married and father of twin girls.
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John Flaherty, MD

Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) and Medical Education

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I am an Infectious Disease specialist with experience in clinical medicine teaching, clinical research, and both clinical and educational leadership. As a Fellowship Program Director for over 25 years at two different institutions, I have guided many fellows through their training and early professional development. As the Associate Chief and Clinical Practice Director for my first 17 years at Northwestern, I mentored many junior faculty through their early faculty development. I have done this while managing to remain married, raise five wonderful children, grandparent six beautiful grandchildren (and counting!), and maintain a life outside medicine. I have learned some difficult lessons along the way and gained a better understanding of what makes life and work meaningful. I have learned to focus my time and attention on those aspects of my professional life that give me the most joy. 

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Daniel R. Ganger, MD

Professor of Medicine (Gastroenterology and Hepatology) and Surgery (Organ Transplantation)

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I have been mentoring younger physicians for over 30 years. I have experience in both academic and private medicine, so I have been exposed to the different environments. My strength is in coaching the younger generations in how to adapt to the flood of new knowledge and technologies coming in the very near future, while maintaining sanity, a healthy lifestyle and coming to work with enthusiasm and passion.
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Khalilah Latrece Gates, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine), Medical Education

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I am a Chicago native hailing from a family of educators. When I interviewed for fellowship at Northwestern 18 years ago, I remember telling one of my interviewers that I had no interest in doing research and was dedicated to becoming a medical educator. Little did I know at that time that my path would take a circuitous route back to education. During fellowship, I discovered basic science research and spent the first 9 years of my academic career as a physician-scientist. Though I enjoyed that time in the lab, there was a constant tug to return to my first love of education. For me, medical education represents the hope of a better future for our patients, our trainees and our colleagues. In my educational role, I serve as the Assistant Dean of Learning and Academic Performance. In this role, my team and I are committed to providing holistic support to Feinberg students to ensure their academic success. In this role, I am able to remind people that there is no one path to their future in medicine and we are the owners of our individual destinies. Additionally, I serve as the Medical Director for Diversity and Inclusion for NM Academy; working to ensure a climate of inclusion and belonging at NM. Clinically, I am a member of the Asthma/COPD program and also work as an intensive care physician in the medical intensive care unit. Outside of medicine, I am the mother of a spunky daughter. As a peer coach, I hope to help others be empowered to pursue their individual goals by utilizing their talents and passions in academic medicine.
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Nirmala Gonsalves, MD

Professor of Medicine (Gastroenterology and Hepatology)

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I am in the Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and have been part of the Northwestern community since starting my internship in 1999. During this time, I have been heavily involved in patient care and clinical research and have helped build and manage our busy eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders program. I have served in leadership roles in various national organizations, and have helped mentor and guide trainees and junior faculty through various stages of career development. Within the division, I am helping to develop a new role focusing on faculty development and wellness. During my time at Northwestern, I have attempted to balance the difficulties of work stressors with maintaining life balance and often have had to pivot and adjust priorities to keep myself grounded. I would love to share these experiences and help others through their journey in achieving academic and personal success. On a personal level, my husband is a busy physician and we have three young children under the age of 13 and a big furry dog. While I joke that our lives are held together by gum and dental floss, we somehow make it work and have fun along the way. When not at work, I enjoy impromptu dance parties and spending time with my family travelling and exploring the outdoors. Prioritizing these outside activities has helped me maintain balance, focus and perspective in my professional life.
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Marianne M. Green, MD

Professor of Medicine (GIM) and Medical Education

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I have been at Northwestern since 1997 and have seen this institution evolve into the premier academic institution that it is now. I am a primary care physician who has held multiple roles in medical education from clerkship director to Sr. Associate Dean for medical education to my current role as the Vice Dean for Education at Feinberg where I have oversight of all of our health professions schools, GME and CME. I also have had a deep involvement in the ABIM where I served as chair of the board of directors. I still see patients 2 half days a week as I strongly believe you cannot teach medicine without practicing medicine. I have three adult daughters and consider being a mom my most important role in life, despite loving what I do professionally. I have navigated the challenges of raising young children while building a fulfilling academic career by constantly “keeping a foot in the door” until I was ready to take on more responsibility. Mentorship from students to residents to faculty has been a foundational part of my life. I am particularly focused on helping people find their passion and developing leadership skills.
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Joshua Hauser, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine (Hospital Medicine) and Medical Education

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I am a palliative care physician at NMH where I direct our fellowship and at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, where I am palliative care section chief. My career has been focused on education in palliative care and in related fields: communication, ethics, medical humanities. For many years, I have directed the Education in Palliative Care (EPEC) Program, a national program to teach “primary” palliative care to all clinicians. This program has been adapted for multiple specialties and in multiple international settings. At the medical school, I direct the Professional Development curriculum element which includes bioethics and medical humanities, personal awareness and self-care and teamwork parts of medical student education. Throughout my career, I have found mentorship of students, residents, fellows and others one of the most fulfilling parts of my work. At the same time, I have also benefited (and continue to) from the mentorship of many kind and generous colleagues. I have seen how this “cycle” of mentorship and role modeling is vital to our work and our thriving.

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Bruce Henschen, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine) and Medical Education

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I am an academic general internist with a passion for teaching and complex care. As an educator, I am the Clerkship Director for the IM clerkship and advise students on the match process. I am also an outpatient preceptor in an ECMH medical student continuity clinic. I love talking about medical education research and collaborating on projects. Clinically I practice outpatient and inpatient medicine and am the co-director of the Complex High Admission Management Program, or CHAMP, that cares for frequently hospitalized patients. I have two young kids at home and make time to have family dinners and bedtime each day. I love cooking and running, though most of my spare time is spent having fun with my family at the park or the pool.

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Christine Hsieh, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine (Rheumatology)

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I am an Assistant professor in Rheumatology since 2009 with an interest in patient care, education and clinical trials research. I have coached many rheumatology fellows and junior faculty through academic, career and life transitions. Personally, I have 3 children between the ages of 5-9 and have learned much in terms of re-focusing and balancing my career, family and personal well-being throughout this process. I hope to be able to share my experiences, both positive ones as well as missteps. My desire as a peer coach would be to help identify your personal and professional priorities and figure out concrete steps to advocate for and achieve them. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family outdoors, travelling and learning from other people.
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Anju Tripathi Peters, MD, MS

Professor of Medicine (Allergy and Immunology) and Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)

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I currently mentor fellows many of them are now in academia and I am more of a peer coach to them. My academic interests are patient care and clinical research. I am very involved in clinical trials. I also have 3 children ranging from ages 10 to 17 and realize that I can't necessarily keep work and family separate. I have learned to balance these roles and my own wellness to the best of my ability without feeling significant guilt. I can share these experiences and hopefully support my colleagues who are dealing with these life experiences as well.
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Michelle Prickett, MD, MS

Associate Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care)

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I am a native Chicagoan growing up in a working-class neighborhood, who played college sports and never dreamed of being a physician let alone an associate professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine. Along the way I have benefited from many wonderful coaches and mentors who helped me achieve goals I never imagined were even in my reach. I have been at Northwestern since 2004 training in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary and Critical Care until taking a faculty position in 2010. Since then I have had many roles including administrative, leadership and education. My list of titles includes Medical Director of Respiratory Care, Co-Director of Quality Improvement for the Canning Thoracic Institute, Associate Director of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program, professional podcaster as well as “Mom” to three young sons. I hope to share my passion for growth and new experiences especially for those who may not have had a longstanding background in academic medicine and are looking to develop a network of support in what can seem like an unfamiliar world.
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Maria Theodorou, MD, FACP

Assistant Professor of Medicine (Hospital Medicine)

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I am a clinician educator with a passion for care for vulnerable populations, health equity and communication skills. I joined the Division of Hospital Medicine in 2017 and since that time have taken on roles as the co-director of the Complex High Admission Management Program (CHAMP) and core faculty in the Internal Medicine Residency Program. I take great joy in sponsoring, coaching and mentoring others and love to promote and celebrate the professional and personal successes of colleagues. As the mother of a young child, I have a particular interest in supporting new parents as they navigate the unique challenges physician parents face. I firmly believe that professional success builds upon a foundation of personal well-being. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy traveling and hiking, biking, and skiing with my husband and daughter.
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John T. Wilkins, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine (Cardiology), Preventive Medicine

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I am a clinical cardiologist and prevention researcher. I’ve been on faculty in the Division of Cardiology and the Department of Preventive medicine since 2012. In my clinical work, I maintain a busy outpatient practice and I attend on various cardiology inpatient services. My research focuses on the development of cardiovascular risk determinants, particularly lipids, across adulthood.

I’ve mentored medical students, graduate students, residents, trainees, and junior faculty. Helping others achieve their professional goals and find fulfillment in their careers is a source of great satisfaction for me.

On a personal level, I’m a father of 3 children whose ages span from pre-K through teenage years. Family life is my greatest joy and my primary hobby, though I also enjoy bike riding, cooking, travel (when able), and spending quality time with my family and friends.
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Outcomes & Quality Management

Kenzie Cameron, PhD, MPH

Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics), Medical Education, Medical Social Sciences and Preventive Medicine

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I am a Professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine who has successfully navigated the Feinberg School of Medicine as a non-physician since 2003. My academic background in the field of communication includes a focus on persuasion and interpersonal communication, providing insight and expertise in relationship building and maintenance. As a Team Scientist, I have served as PI, Co-I, and mentor on numerous federally funded grants, and have had the opportunity to collaborate with faculty across multiple Departments and Divisions.

At FSM I also serve as the Director for Mentoring Programs for the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (NUCATS); I relish my mentoring roles because I believe in my responsibility to pay it forward. Personally, I live in Chicago with my husband and our two cats, and I ground myself through daily yoga practice.
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