Fellow Focus in Four: Tiffany Hu, Geriatrics

My parents instilled in me a strong sense of academic curiosity and appreciation for nuance when I was young, and I always enjoyed learning about things from multiple angles and perspectives. In college, I learned that this translated well to systems thinking. I was fascinated by physiology and the intricate interplay of all the body systems that work together to maintain homeostasis. I loved medical sociology because it dealt with the interplay between patients, physicians, and society, and how society shapes the experience of health care. Medicine was a perfect blend of the systems thinking that I sought, with the opportunity to build relationships and connect with people.

I fell in love with Yale Internal Medicine when I interviewed for residency here, and I stayed on for my fellowship in geriatrics because the culture here is so kind, warm, and inclusive, and everyone looks out for one another. During residency, I found amazing mentors in geriatrics doing work on cool education and research projects, and I was so excited to have the opportunity to stay and continue our collaboration. I can see myself following in the footsteps of my mentors at Yale, caring for older adult patients in both inpatient and clinic settings while being heavily involved in medical education.

The food in New Haven is fantastic, and New Haven has all the excitement of a small city with walkable neighborhoods, great restaurants, and full access to Yale's campus, including the Yale Art Gallery. At the same time, it has charming neighborhoods and residential areas, with East Rock Park, beautiful green spaces, and a wonderful community. We frequent nearby bookstores and cafes like Atticus, and the famous soft-serve ice cream spot, Elena's. Living here also allows us access to the big cities when we want a weekend to get away.

My husband and I have two very large and fluffy cats, one of whom is almost definitely part Maine Coon. Our first cat, Nori, was one of five kittens that my previous roommate was fostering. Nori was only 300 grams when we first met her; now she is 14 pounds. We adopted Miko, our second cat, from Mew Haven Cat Cafe in Westville.

The Department of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine is among the nation's premier departments, bringing together an elite cadre of clinicians, investigators, educators, and staff in one of the world's top medical schools. To learn more, visit Internal Medicine.