What's next for Chief Resident Dr. Jessica Comerford?
Jessica Comerford, MD
What’s next for you, personally and professionally? Why did you decide on that route?
I will be moving to Bozeman, MT to practice primary care. My experience both in the primary care track and as the GIM chief further solidified primary care as my calling. It's where I feel most at home.
What are the main takeaways from your time as chief resident (i.e., what did you learn, what was memorable, etc.)?
One of the main takeaways from chief year is not to aim for perfection all the time, but instead to become a little bit better each time you step into a given role, whether it be teaching, leading, etc.
What advice/words of encouragement do you have for 1) the incoming chiefs, 2) the incoming interns (PG-1s), and 3) residents who are considering applying for chief residencies next year?
- Incoming chiefs: Lean on each other as chiefs. Lean on our PD, Andy—we are lucky to have so much 1:1 time with him as mentor during chief year!
- Incoming interns: Work hard and treat your co-residents and patients with respect. Being hardworking and having a good attitude goes much further than knowing all the answers. That will come with time.
- Prospective chiefs: For those who are considering applying, start thinking early about what ways chief year might be helpful.