Kelly McGarry, MD
Program Director, General Internal Medicine Residency
Alpert Medical School at Brown University
How long have you been a member of AAIM?
I have been a member of AAIM as long as AAIM has existed. I have been an APDIM member for more than 20 years.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I truly love all that I do, patient care, teaching, administration. If forced to choose, I still think I would have to choose 2 things, but both are about the feeling of connection. A day in the office seeing patients, feeling like I have made a connection to patients and helped them navigate the often complex journey in health care, is a great day! Similarly, teaching residents and feeling the connection with them when guiding them in dealing with the emotional highs and lows of residency or when teaching them about a medical issue, that gives me great joy!
How has the AAIM membership been of value to you and your career?
The connections made through AAIM have been invaluable to my career. Learning from colleagues who have created incredibly thoughtful educational innovations gets me excited every time I come to meetings and allows me to reflect and get energized to make changes within our own program. I have found everyone to be so interested in sharing what they have created and willing to collaborate on projects or scholarship. At first, I found myself too intimidated to reach out to others which in hindsight was ridiculous; I encourage everyone who feels similarly to reach out, talk to colleagues and find those to whom you connect. Join committees - if you don’t get asked the first time, reapply! The connections made will help you in your career. It has certainly helped me!
What’s your favorite moment of your career so far?
I have many favorite moments and I don’t think I can pick just one - the moments I most cherish most are seeing my residents graduate and go on to do wonderful things in life and in their careers - it gives me great joy every time I hear from one of them after graduation. My other favorite moments are when I (or my team if on the wards) help a patient with some of the most difficult parts of the journey through life—such a privilege.
What was your childhood dream job?
Interestingly, my childhood dream job was the job I am currently in. Then I thought I wanted to be in full-time primary care, but, at that time, I did not know what options lay ahead. I have felt so fortunate to be given the privilege to do what I do.
How do you spend your free time?
I love free time—I love all outdoor activities, running, biking, hiking; I love to travel; I love to spend time with family and friends; I love to read, both fiction and non-fiction.
What is your favorite book (or movie)?
This is a hard question. I would have to choose one fiction and one non-fiction. For fiction, I was really moved by Wonder by Raquel Palacio. For non-fiction, I would say Life on Purpose by Victor Strecher, whom I saw speak at an AAIM conference and immediately bought his book. Another reason to be involved with AAIM—often great, inspirational talks! Both are terrific reads.
What is the best advice that you have ever received?
I have received lots of great advice from many wise and wonderful friends. I would choose two, one relates to scholarship and one to leadership (and really just how to interact with other people). One of my mentors told me “Make everything count more than once” when it comes to scholarship which may be self-explanatory but just means that if you present your work at a national meeting, consider presenting it again or make sure you publish it. The second is “Assume Good Intentions.” I think this is an important piece of advice when navigating the world of human interaction and certainly if you find yourself in a position of leadership.
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