This week I was promoted to Associate Professor of Clinical Radiology at Weill Cornell Medicine. It was
\nan emotional moment and I was not sure I\u2019d ever get here.<\/p>\n
In my role as lead negotiator, I sit across the table from Health Insurance companies and negotiate deals
\nworth millions of dollars. Last year I gave a talk on AI in imaging to 2000 computer engineers. My latest
\ntalk is called Fearless Leadership. I ride a bike in Manhattan for goodness sake. So why was it that when
\nit came to submitting my application for promotion I procrastinated and prevaricated for months?<\/p>\n
The imposter syndrome wasn\u2019t just real, it was overwhelming. After 11 years in private practice I joined
\nthe faculty at Weill Cornell in 2014 and I absolutely love working in this collaborative clinical community.
\nMy colleagues in radiology and across the organization have been supportive and I\u2019ve taken on new
\nresponsibilities that challenge me. But I regularly go to meetings with people who are NIH funded
\nresearchers even Nobel Laureates. Who was I to think I could move up the academic ranks?<\/p>\n
So what got me over my fears? Sponsors like the Chairs of the two Departments in which I have
\nappointments: Drs. Rob Min and Rainu Kaushal who supported my application and kept telling me I was
\nmore than qualified. Mentors like Dr. Ruth Gotian who leads our newly formed Mentoring Academy who
\nkept gently nudging me along and colleagues like Dr. Elizabeth Arleo who set timeline targets and
\nreminded me that she was \u201cholding my hand\u201d along the way.<\/p>\n
I share my story because all of us have areas where we feel less sure of ourselves and it is by supporting
\nand encouraging each other that we can start to really make a difference in the lack of gender balance in
\nacademic leadership. It took a village to get me here but now I\u2019ll approach the next academic hurdle
\nwith much greater confidence. Not only that but I\u2019ll be able to encourage others who, like I was, are
\ndoubting their readiness.<\/p>\n
\n#SomePersonalNews<\/a> I got promoted to Associate Professor. Not bragging but wanted to share that for all I talk about #fearlessleadership<\/a> this was one of the most intimidating things I have ever done.<\/p>\n