TED Community

Books, languages, running, photography, travelling, etc.

the Web, languages, communication

Running, Philanthropy, VW Buses

empowering people – especially those in medicine – to grow, lead, and thrive. My journey from family physician to executive coach and educator has shown me that medicine is fundamentally a human endeavor, and our greatest impact comes from connecting, listening, and supporting one another. This passion drives my work with A Whole New Doctor, a program I founded to help medical students build resilience, emotional intelligence, and leadership skills. I have witnessed the toll traditional medical training takes on bright, compassionate students, leading to burnout, depression, and even suicide. I could not stand by while those who dedicate their lives to healing others struggled without support. Through coaching and leadership development, I help future physicians not just survive, but thrive, equiping them with the skills to care for themselves as well as their patients. Coaching is at the heart of my work. As a physician, I was trained to diagnose and fix; as a coach, I’ve learned the transformative power of deep listening and asking the right questions. I use evidence-based tools to help clients-from medical students to C-suite executives-develop self-awareness, resilience, and the confidence to lead authentically. My approach blends scientific rigor with empathy, customizing strategies to each individual and organization. The real magic happens when people feel seen, heard, and valued. My passion for leadership grew as I moved from clinical roles into executive and board positions. True leadership is about empowering others, fostering collaboration, and navigating change with curiosity and humility. I’ve led organizational transformations, launched national programs like VAAdvantage, and mentored leaders across healthcare, government, and startups. I love translating research into practical, interactive experiences that help others grow as leaders. Innovation excites me, not for its own sake, but for its potential to solve real problems and improve lives. I’ve worked at the intersection of medicine, technology, and policy, always seeking to bridge tradition with new ideas. Whether developing telemedicine protocols or advising on health policy, I believe the future of healthcare depends on our ability to adapt, learn, and lead change-while never losing sight of our humanity. Teaching and sharing knowledge are central to my mission. As a faculty member at Georgetown, I develop and teach courses on reflective writing and narrative medicine, helping students process their experiences and build resilience. I am a lifelong learner and passionate about mentoring women and underrepresented groups in medicine and leadership, believing that diversity strengthens us all. Service and advocacy have always been part of my DNA. I serve on boards, mentor emerging leaders, and advocate for policies that support the well-being of healthcare professionals and the communities they serve. Leadership, to me, is ultimately about service-making a difference in the lives of others. What drives me is the conviction that we can – and must - do better for those who care for others. I have seen too many talented, compassionate people leave medicine or lose themselves to burnout. I am passionate about changing the culture of The Republic of Medicine from one of blame and shame to one of support and growth. My goal is to create a world where medical students, physicians, and leaders are equipped not just with knowledge, but with the self-awareness, resilience, and emotional intelligence to thrive. In sum, I am passionate about people-their stories, struggles, growth, and triumphs. I am passionate about learning and sharing, about leading and serving, and about building bridges between science and empathy, tradition and innovation, surviving and thriving. Every day, I am grateful to do work that matters with people who inspire me. That is what keeps me moving forward, always learning, always growing, and always striving for a more compassionate, resilient future in medicine and beyond.

Art, culture and food!

I love contemporary art and design

Technology, literature, languages, videogames, animals...