Dr. Claire Abraham '08

Q: What challenges have you faced working during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: One of the largest challenges we've faced has been trying to adapt our practice in real-time as we learn more about the virus. Whether that's been what protective gear to wear or what medications to use or even what position the patient should be lying in, the learning curve has been very steep. 

Q: How has your work changed during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Working in a pediatric hospital in New York, we've seen a lot of changes during the pandemic. As the largest children's hospital in the city, we started by taking many pediatric patients from other hospitals so that they could open more space for adults. As the pandemic progressed, we started seeing adult patients as well, which was a big change because I hadn't treated adults for three years! 

Q: What has been your proudest moment working in healthcare?
A: Seeing a baby, I took care of for three weeks in the intensive care unit follow-up with me as an outpatient. She was smiling, happy, and acting like a normal baby. Being able to care for a patient who was so sick get better, and then seeing her every month in the clinic to follow her progress has been incredibly rewarding. 

Q: When and how did you decide to pursue a career in healthcare?
A: Being a doctor always seemed like the coolest job in the world, and I had been volunteering at children's hospitals since my Freshman year of high school. I became more serious about the idea in college when I found that I enjoyed my human biology classes. The balance of interacting with patients and their families with the actual medicine and physiology seemed like a perfect balance of academics and practical application. 

Q: How did your experience at Springs shape your career choice?
A: I received an Abrams' Scholarship and used it to go to Zambia the summer before my senior year to learn about how community organizations were supporting HIV treatment and prevention efforts. Through visiting clinics and community centers and support groups, I found that I loved being involved with community health efforts as well as individual patients in underserved populations. This has shaped my research interests and where I've decided to train and practice. 

Q: What advice would you give Springs students who want to pursue a career in healthcare?
A: Shadow different types of health care providers to see if you find their day-to-day activities exciting! There are so many different jobs in healthcare, and you won't know what you'll like unless you talk to people and see them at work. Don't let one bad grade convince you that you should pivot away from medicine. If it's something that you're passionate about, there will be ways to recover from it and move forward. 

Q: What can the Springs community do to help during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Do whatever you can to keep yourself and those you love healthy. Wash your hands, avoid gathering in large groups, stay home when you're asked to. I know it feels like doing nothing, but by not getting sick, you're slowing the spread of this disease and helping to conserve medical resources.