Each one of us was drawn to the field of medicine for our own reason. Remembering why we do the work we do can help us focus on what is meaningful. It can help us recenter our efforts toward what recharges us.
Lydia Benitez:
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and I am the daughter of a community pharmacist and an engineer in the pharmaceutical industry. My culture and my parents’ careers shaped my early understanding of professional roles in healthcare and innovation. My mother owned a community pharmacy serving a large, underserved population. Even though it closed more than 25 years ago, people in that town still call her “Licenciada” and seek her medical advice. Seeing her lifelong impact inspired me to pursue a career where I could meaningfully serve patients and communities. As a pharmacy student, interning at various CVS locations, I learned that pharmacists directly influence patient outcomes, and this sparked my desire to work in an interdisciplinary environment where idea generation and problem solving can occur alongside other clinicians. That motivation led me to complete postgraduate training and specialize in oncology.
For nearly a decade, I have provided direct care to patients with leukemia in both inpatient and outpatient settings, focusing on optimizing therapy and improving outcomes. My introduction to high-quality oncology care came through MOQC during residency training, which solidified my commitment to quality improvement. Serving as Director of POEM and Stewardship now allows me to advance statewide efforts to enhance oncology care, with my long-term goal to reinforce the pharmacist’s role in evidence-based, patient-centered practice.
Joey McIntyre:
I was first drawn to social work through my own lived experiences, which taught me the importance of support during life’s most challenging times. During my BSW internship at Michigan Medicine I fell in love with hospital social work and saw how meeting patients’ non-medical needs can make a powerful difference. I am motivated by the opportunity to contribute to the improvement of quality and patient-centered care within oncology in Michigan, ensuring that patients feel heard, supported, and cared for.
Jacob Keer:
Through my experience and my family’s experiences in healthcare it has become clear to me that there are many underrepresented populations that cannot receive the healthcare they need and are not heard in addressing their grievances. I want to use my voice to speak up for these communities, and I hope to make healthcare a more fair space for everyone. It’s important to me that everyone has treatment options and that barriers that have historically existed can be addressed and broken down.