EMPH program aligns with student's work in nephrology and population health

I chose Yale’s EMPH program for its world-class faculty and the flexibility to expand my knowledge of public health while maintaining my busy private practice. The Yale campus is beautiful, and the hybrid format combines on-campus weeks with remote engagement. I can work closely and build relationships not only with professors but with a cohort of experienced professionals. The program’s emphasis on equity, systems innovation, and policy align perfectly with my work in nephrology and population health. Yale’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and the flexibility to learn from faculty across the university open the door for exploration and personalization. I have found Yale to be a warm and welcoming environment filled with brilliant people who personify the motto Lux et Veritas, “Light and Truth.”

As a managing partner of New York Nephrology and practicing clinical nephrologist, I focus on improving access and outcomes for patients with chronic kidney disease. I lead strategic initiatives in dialysis innovation, value-based care, and scalable home dialysis; provide leadership to New York State's medical review board, contribute to medical advisory boards, and support the Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan as a board member. I also launched and operate a telemedicine platform that connects rural hospitals with specialty care.

This is the most brilliant and talented group of individuals I have ever had the opportunity to work with. Despite being spread across multiple counties and time zones, our cohort is always communicating, collaborating, and supporting each other. I have gained insight from clinicians, CEOs, elected officials, lawyers, executives, educators, and accomplished military professionals. These innovative thinkers have expanded my mind and sharpened my strategic thinking. We are a diverse group of professionals who came together with a shared purpose to translate this new knowledge into action. This group will change the world.

Yale’s faculty challenges us to think critically and to reframe questions. They are not just educators but partners on our public health journey. There is a genuine commitment to community engagement, environmental awareness, and academic excellence—exactly what you would expect from such a prestigious institution. The hybrid format allows for close relationships yet provides space to uphold professional and family obligations. My interactions with Dr. Friedman, the caring and thoughtful professors, and my extraordinary cohort have been life transformative, both intellectually and personally.

I hope to bridge the gap between clinical practice and policy. My role in population health has been expanding, and I plan to use the world-class education I am receiving at Yale to bring community engagement and environmental awareness to my work. Virtual medical visits lower our carbon footprint by reducing vehicle emissions. There is so much opportunity to improve health outcomes with telemedicine, and we can do it in an environmentally conscious way.

I also want to reshape how we think about access to care in our communities and redesign physician incentive programs to emphasize equity while improving outcomes and maximizing value. President Theodore Roosevelt said: "Do what you can with what you have, where you are.” His words are so relevant as we address public health in challenging times. We need to use the tools we have where we are to effect change. I will continue to build on the work I have done to strengthen value-based care, build more equitable programs, and align incentives with best practices.