September is designated Women in Medicine month by the American Medical Association and our department is celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of the women working alongside them. We asked some of our Internal Medicine physicians to reflect on their female mentors. Read on for their tributes.
“I certainly benefitted from a number of women mentors but my most treasured mentor is Dr. Anne Kessinger. I was a medical student and she was my attending on general oncology service in 1979. In 2022, as a professor emeritas and my dear friend, she is still a wonderful source of advice and guidance.”
– Elizabeth Reed, MD, professor division of oncology and hematology
“I have had many phenomenal women who have made lasting impacts on my career as a physician. One in particular is very special to me. Dr. Shanta Zimmer took me under her wing as a new infectious diseases physician and asked me where I wanted to be in 10 years, then charted a path for me so I could see how I could get there. She has stayed by my side, speaking my name in closed rooms when I’m not around, leading to me being chosen for committees, key feature publications, national speaking invitations, elevating my status in my specialty society. She is constantly asking herself what she can do to keep clearing that path for me. She has introduced me to the right people who have themselves become pillars in my personal board of directors. She is my mentor, coach, sponsor, and most of all, my friend.
I am also mentoring several trainees and junior faculty, and one of the greatest joys I have as a mentor myself is to see my mentees/protégés succeed. Many of those I am mentoring have been three years’ plus of relationship resulting in amazing career and professional development opportunities for them. But more importantly, watching them grow from being unsure of themselves to independent scholars, or present using skills we had discussed, or speak with a patient using language we had practiced, is the biggest reward, and I will always look for more opportunities to support and uplift them.“
– Jasmine Marcelin, MD, associate professor division of infectious diseases and internal medicine residency associate program director
“Dr. Jen Parker has been instrumental in my life and career. I first met her when I was a third-year medical student and she took the time to meet with me while she was home on maternity leave. I remember being nervous about going to a faculty’s home but the minute I walked in, I realized she was exactly the kind of person I hoped I would be some day. She has helped and guided me through so much, both personally and professionally. I see the way she interacts with patients, trainees, colleagues and friends and I hope to continue to learn from her.”
– Allison Ashford, MD, assistant professor division of hospital medicine and med-peds residency program director
“There were several women faculty at KU where I did my internal medicine residency and pulmonary fellowship who served as wonderful role models for me. Particularly important was Dr. Sue Pingleton, a PCCM faculty and eventually division chief and chair at KU, who had a passion for clinical research, was a wonderful clinician, and went on to be the president of the American College of Chest Physicians. She showed me that women have essential roles in academic medicine. She also suggested that I explore doing a research fellowship here at UNMC with Dr. Stephen Rennard after my clinical fellowship. That suggestion started me on a path of my career here and I am grateful for all the good people I have worked with and the many opportunities provided to me.”
– Debra Romberger, MD, chair of the department of internal medicine and professor division of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine
“Drs. Margaret Tempero and Anne Kessinger were both early mentors for me in hematology/oncology. As two of the early pioneers in pancreatic cancer research and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation respectively, they were at the forefront of clinical research and novel therapies. They inspired me to advance my career, to perform cutting edge clinical research and to help future generations of women in hem/onc.”
– Julie Vose, MD, chair and professor, division of Oncology & hematology
“The woman that has had the biggest impact on my career is Deb Romberger. When I was a second-year fellow I chose to work in her laboratory. She offered me a project that resonated with me as a farm girl – determining mechanisms of inflammation induced by agricultural dusts. Deb somehow made the whole experience fun and rewarding. Although a career in academic medicine was not on my radar at that time, Deb guided me into the role of successful physician scientist. She continues to guide me in many important ways. I am very grateful for all of her help over the years.”
– Kristina Bailey, MD, associate professor division of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine and department of internal medicine vice chair of academic medicine
“I am fortunate to have several excellent female mentors who are personally invested in me as an individual and in my career development. They routinely help to make networking connections and identify opportunities for me and their other mentees. In addition, our division has a very supportive network of female faculty who sponsor one another, other faculty members and trainees. These women have inspired me to also be a mentor to junior physicians and other healthcare professionals, which has become one of the most rewarding aspects of my work!”
– Andrea Zimmer, MD, assistant professor division of infectious diseases
“Dr. Jean Thierfelder was an excellent role model for me beginning when I was a medical student. She was assigned to me as a clinical skills instructor and I spent time with her in clinic while I was in the pre-clinical years. I so enjoyed seeing her with patients, hearing her think out loud and observing her collaborate with her clinical team in caring for patients. She was very candid about how she was raising four children yet finding joy each day in her work as a general internist. She was always so authentic and made the extraordinary challenge of being a doctor, wife and mother seem so achievable. Dr. Thierfelder had a wonderful spirit, vast knowledge and experience and a very devoted panel of patients and getting to know her early in my training really impacted me.
Dr. Romberger has also served as a role model as I’ve taken on more leadership opportunities. She has been both a mentor and a coach to me. Her ability to listen and gain an understanding of the issues before making decisions has resonated with me. She is able to see the big picture and handles even the most challenging situations with grace. These are all skills I have come to respect and want to cultivate myself. I am very grateful for her advice, guidance and support.
I have had the pleasure of advising and mentoring countless medical students and residents over my almost 20 years at UNMC and this is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. So many of these trainees are now my colleagues, partners and friends and I have learned so much from these relationships. I feel very fortunate to continue to have the opportunity to work with young trainees and junior faculty as the energy and enthusiasm they have for medicine is often contagious.”
– Jennifer Parker, MD, chief and associate professor division of general internal medicine