Jacqueline Baikovitz, MD, MPH
Rheumatology Fellowship
Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Which fellowship program are you currently in?
Rheumatology Fellowship: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA (2024–2026)
Internal Medicine Residency: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH (2021–2024)
Why did you choose internal medicine? If you’re in fellowship, why did you choose that subspecialty?
I love internal medicine because we have the unique opportunity to work as a team to solve the most complex cases, the “medical mysteries” that storm through the doors of the hospital. I especially enjoy being a detective, putting the pieces of the puzzle together by connecting clinical symptoms, physical exam findings, labs, and imaging in order to come up with a differential diagnosis and treatment plan. In rheumatology, patients might have positive labs and never develop autoimmune disease; in contrast, they might have vague symptoms with negative testing yet still have an underlying rheumatic condition. There is so much that we still do not know about the immune system, and I look forward to learning more as new discoveries arise!
What lessons did you learn in residency or fellowship that will help you for the rest of your career?
My internal medicine residency program director always made sure to advocate for physician and trainee well-being, sharing that the definition of well-being is different for each one of us. As the airline safety announcement goes, “Put on your own mask first before helping others.” This directly applies to the medical field, where we must focus on taking care of ourselves to best help our patients and to look out for each other. My program director also encouraged us to find our “why,” which is now my challenge for you today: reflect on what brings you a sense of purpose and joy in your life.
What are your plans for after fellowship? What factors or advice from mentors contributed to your decision?
I am hoping to pursue a career in academic rheumatology, combining my love for caring for patients at the bedside with medical education and public health.
My love for being a teacher sparked during an elective in my fourth year of medical school and further developed during my residency experience in the clinician educator track. I have tremendous satisfaction when I observe medical students and residents having that “aha” moment, connecting what they have learned in the classroom and applying the knowledge to the bedside. It is also extremely rewarding to watch them grow in their confidence and skills and to see them provide empathy and compassion to our patients.
One of my interests within the field of rheumatology is caring for patients with autoimmune conditions who develop cancer, supporting them and their families during this very difficult and vulnerable time in their lives. I also hope to further investigate how we can selectively target immunosuppression in patients with autoimmune diseases while simultaneously augmenting their immune system in their fight against cancer and other pathologies.
How has being a member of ACP helped you in your professional life? What resources have been most helpful to you?
Being part of the ACP Council of Resident/Fellow Members has really shown me the importance of how we as internal medicine physicians can advocate for our patients as well as for medical students, residents, trainees, and the physician workforce at the national level. We are witnesses to our patients’ stories, and these experiences give us the opportunity to speak up on their behalf and on behalf of others who are going through similar challenges. ACP has provided me with a professional home and identity as well as a network of internal medicine mentors, colleagues, and friends from all across the United States.
