I.M. a Health Leader: Utibe Essien, MD, MPH

What inspired you to choose internal medicine?

My father is a Primary Care Physician (trained in Internal Medicine doctor) and he is my biggest life motivation. Though growing up I always worried that he worked too hard and his job was probably not for me, I had a chance to work with him over a summer during high school and was deeply inspired by the impact I saw him making on families within our community, not just by improving health, but through meaningful connections and relationships. It was then as a 17-year-old I decided I was going to try and do what he does one day.

Describe your internal medicine journey and how it has shaped your career.

Despite my father’s inspiration, I actually had a moment as a 4th year medical student where I was between OB/GYN and Internal Medicine. It was there I met Dr. Cristina Gonzalez who became the next critical figure towards my journey to IM. Dr. Gonzalez was my IM Sub-I attended Weiler Hospital, and she was the first person to make IM fun. Our rounds were full of curiosity (and entertainment) and her joy in teaching and clinical management rejuvenated me towards IM. I ended up cancelling my OB/GYN Sub-I the next month and going all in on IM. I then went on to do my IM residency at MGH where I was surrounded by brilliant diagnosticians, scientists, clinical educators, all of whom have shaped the physician scientist that I am today.

How has internal medicine training given you the skills, insight, and/or experience needed to become a leader?

One of the first things I heard when I interviewed for IM residency at MGH was that we are training you to become a leader – no matter what your passion or interest is. That is what motivated me to choose IM training there. Right from the first weeks of residency we are placed in positions of leadership in patient care, ultimately in leading large medical teams, as well as leading QI and research projects throughout our training. Most importantly, the mentorship around leadership was key to developing the skills and understanding of what being a leader truly means – including humility, leadership through example, and generosity – much of which were embodied in our IM Program Director, Dr. Hasan Bazari.

What advice would you share with medical students or trainees that are interested in a leadership role?

The best advice I can share is to find your passion and commit to it. I started seeking leadership roles fairly early, Co-Class President of my medical school class, joining a national medical student's executive board for the AAMC, and so on through residency, fellowship, and now as a faculty member and an Associate Vice Chair for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. But the unifying theme across all those experiences was my mission towards advancing health equity and diversifying the biomedical workforce. That throughline has deeply motivated my clinical care, my research, and the activities I take on, including those which have given me opportunities to play a leadership role.

What are your interests and hobbies outside of medicine and how do you balance your work and personal life? Anything you have learned along the way to pass on?

I love sports (I am an avid New York Mets and Jets fan… which teaches you a lot of persistence, faith, and humility). I enjoy running and am a past marathoner (which also teaches persistence and grit). I also love traveling and exploring new restaurants (which teaches the importance of having a sustainable job, like in IM!)