Meet Miriam Katz, MD, MPH, from West Hartford, Connecticut. She attended New York Medical College, and is a PGY-1 in the Traditional Internal Medicine Residency Program.
What led you to pursue a career in medicine?
I clearly remember sitting with my high school guidance counselor mulling over possible career paths and the way things “clicked” when she suggested becoming a physician. I love learning how things work, particularly as it relates to people, and was captivated by the underlying processes that harm and heal us. I was initially drawn to neuroscience, fascinated by the atoms and cells that create our thoughts and feelings. My biology teacher encouraged me to enter the Connecticut Brain Bee, where a few dozen other high school students and I were challenged to diagnose patient actors based on what we had learned. In retrospect, that was my first exposure to “clinical medicine.” I remember my favorite part was when my “patient” stopped having tremors and could play with his grandkids because I was able to organize the presented information into a pattern that I then recognized from a medical textbook. It struck me that by studying hard and listening carefully, I could have a significant positive impact on people’s lives – not just to offer them a clinical diagnosis and a new prescription, but to restore their ability to interact with the world around them in the way they want to. I am a problem-solver and a people person by nature, and medicine is a field that encourages the observant, rational, and systematic side of my personality as well as my ultimate goal of helping others through vulnerable and difficult moments.
What are your goals after you complete internal medicine residency? Where do you see yourself?
Although I’m keeping an open mind with regards to subspecialty, I know my dream career is multi-faceted. In addition to caring for patients, I hope to enact positive change on a larger scale. I graduated with my MPH shortly after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and saw firsthand how public health physicians led the world through a global crisis; I also gained a deepened understanding of the unfortunate consequences of persistent inequality in the United States and worldwide. Addressing health disparities sustainably is a key focus of mine. I was fortunate to participate in a longitudinal internship with Regeneron during medical school, where I gained insight into private sector drug and device development, and can certainly see myself applying modern technologies to address health disparities while working to increase digital and health literacy. More recently, I’ve been intrigued by the ways in which our information sources and communication platforms affect the health and well-being of both individuals and communities.
Why did you choose Yale for your internal medicine residency?
I knew Yale was the right place for my residency training because of its community and unique opportunities. I was excited at the prospect of returning home to Connecticut after graduating from medical school in New York, and after conversations with current residents and faculty (particularly Dr. Siegel), Yale truly felt like home. It was clear that despite the demands of training, residents went out of their way to help one another, teach each other, and have fun together, which was crucial to me when selecting a program to continue my training. Additionally, the academic environment was one I felt drawn to. Yale residents primarily rotate on subspecialized inpatient floors, offering exposure to a wide variety of advanced pathologies, which is particularly helpful as I think about my future career path. The multitude of electives, ranging from procedural services to narrative medicine, assured me that I’d be able to explore new interests throughout my residency training.
Describe your experience at Yale Internal Medicine in 3 words.
Enriching, exciting, and fulfilling.
What is your fondest memory at Yale thus far?
Celebrating my birthday and the start of residency with my co-interns! My birthday coincided with the last day of intern orientation, and even though I had only known them for 10 days, new friends went out of their way to make the day feel special. It was a fun coincidence that a few dozen of us were able to kick off residency together that evening, and it was a true testament to the community we had created in just a few weeks.
Who has had the greatest influence on you, and why?
I’ve always been close with my grandmothers, and I think about them often when I’m with patients. My grandma Jean (who grew up on York Street just a few blocks away from Yale) couldn’t attend medical school but always dreamed of being a doctor. My other grandma, Shelley, constantly emphasized the power of kindness and volunteered at her local hospital after my grandpa passed away from cancer. Both incredible women remind me how lucky I am to pursue medicine and they continuously inspire me to bring passion, curiosity, and generosity to the hospital each day.
If you could say anything to your younger self, what would you say?
I would encourage my past self to live in the moment. Medical school and training are intensive, and time is starting to pass quickly. I have noticed in myself and among my peers that since medicine has a very stepwise career path (i.e., college, medical school, residency, fellowship, etc.), we are constantly improving ourselves and focusing on the next step. It can be difficult to live in the present, but when I’m able to, I find that each day is more meaningful.
What's a fun fact about you?
I recently started making my own cold brew coffee! It started as a cost-saving investment as my caffeine intake has certainly increased in the last few months, but it’s been fun to experiment with new flavor profiles. There’s a shockingly large online community of cold brew makers who have the brewing process down to a science, and I love learning new techniques from the experts online.
What is one piece of advice you'd give someone who is applying for internal medicine residency?
Be as authentic as possible. Instead of trying to anticipate what your interviewers want to hear, focus more on what parts of your story you want to convey in the short time you have with them. You are one of a kind, and the best answer you can give is the one that highlights your unique qualities and experiences.