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AAIM Member Spotlight

Rebekah Redfern

MS3 & MS4 Clerkship Coordinator
Endocrine Fellowship Coordinator
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | School of Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine

How long have you been a member of AAIM?

I joined in 2015 and attended my first conference for the Alliance in October of that year. It was life changing. It was a big eye opener and I learned so much from other people. 

Describe your typical day.

I recently took over the entire Endocrinology fellowship and continue to coordinate the clerkship program.

I am a key support person for medical students, fellows, staff, and other employees. We are currently, like many programs, short staffed, so I try to help where I am needed. I make sure everyone is where they need to be when they need to be there.

What is your favorite part of the job?

Working with people. I am a big people person and like to help. I like to make sure if you need something I can help or if I don’t know how to help I’ll work with you to try to get things resolved. I enjoy supporting those around me.

How has the AAIM membership been of value to you and your career?

It’s offered so many different views of the job. Going into my first conference I thought we had a good size medical school, I quickly realized that we were so small compared to other enormous medical schools. I value speaking with others from larger schools and seeing how they make it work logistically and learning and getting tips from them. I remember at the first conference a woman I met suggested going to the hospital with my students so that I would have a firsthand view of what morning rounds were actually about, it was very insightful and something that had never crossed my mind. I now attend morning rotations when I can so I can better understand what my students do and so they know I am there to support them.

What's your favorite moment of your career so far?

This past year I was voted Best Staff by the class of 2017 during the Texas Tech Match Ceremony. It just proved our hard work wasn’t unnoticed and being there for the students was really appreciated. That was a big validation for me.

What was your childhood dream job?

I wanted to be a veterinarian. I still have animals, but couldn’t work with them I just don’t have the stomach for it. I have two dogs and that is as far as my vet career went. 

How do you spend your free time?

My husband and I go on date nights frequently and spend a lot of time together. We also have family night every Friday where we have dinner and play cards with our extended family.

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I’m an open book. I don’t take life too seriously and I have an unrefined sense of humor— life is too short to not laugh at yourself and others.