Preeya Desh, MD
Program Director for the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Broward Health
- Can you share a moment when your involvement with AAHPM had a meaningful impact on your professional growth?
I loved volunteering as the global special interest group leader. It was a three-year commitment that allowed me to work with some very special people. During that time, we hosted webinars that brought together people from all over the world. I was amazed how people in all different stages of their careers and global health work came together to learn from each other.
- What inspired the decision to establish a fellowship within your program?
Our hospital Broward Health North was strengthening it’s GME program and with the expansion, including Hospice and Palliative Care seemed like a natural fit. We just completed our first year and it has been very rewarding to see the product of hard work and inspiration gleaned from other colleagues along with original ideas take shape.
- Which AAHPM member benefits have you found particularly impactful, and how might new fellows make the most of them?
AAHPM Connect is so useful to connect to colleagues based on interest and common ground. Personally, I have found a lot of answers to medical questions and have gotten support from the Education Sig. Fellows can use this space to find a mentor outside of our program to help develop their career goals. There is also a space for Young Investigators that could be utilized as well.
- Are there any essential AAHPM tools or resources you believe every incoming fellow should explore early on?
I encourage my fellows to jump in and explore all the tools available, from the AAHPM Learn, the HPM Pass and the webinars. We mentor the fellows to submit for a poster or podium presentation and make it mandatory for fellows to attend the Annual Assembly.
- Can you share your impressions of the Annual Assembly, and what unique opportunities do you think it offers to first-time attendees?
The very first assembly that I attended left quite an impression. Scattered throughout the halls were places for HPM folks to gather round coloring pages and crayons, some in quiet meditations focused on the colors and others laughing as they joked about shared experiences. I immediately found a warm and welcome place. Since then, I have not missed an Assembly. I come to reconnect with colleagues, but I always leave with more friends than I came in with. New attendees can expect to find a safe place that is open to collaborations and friendly discussions. I am surprised that what I learned gets incorporated into my regular practice making attending rewards.