George Eastman Circle Member Spotlight: Heather Hopkins Gil

Heather Hopkins Gil ’12M (MD), ’15M (Res), ’16M (Flw) and her husband, Fulvio Gil ’15M (Res), ’16M (Flw), have a busy life, with two young children and demanding careers in medicine, but they still make it a priority to stay in touch with their University of Rochester community.

Heather Hopkins Gil ’12M (MD), ’15M (Res), ’16M (Flw)

Heather Hopkins Gil ’12M (MD), ’15M (Res), ’16M (Flw) attended the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD) for medical school and completed her residency in internal medicine, followed by a fellowship in geriatric medicine here as well. She now works as a palliative medicine provider at Northwestern Medicine. Her husband, Fulvio Gil ’15M (Res), ’16M (Flw), completed his residency and fellowship at SMD in neurology. They recently became members of the George Eastman Circle, giving back to support current students and residents.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in geriatrics and palliative medicine?

A: I knew going into medical school that I wanted to work with older adults in geriatric medicine. The University of Rochester also introduced me to palliative medicine. It’s surprising how rare it is to see palliative medicine and geriatrics considered core elements of a medical curriculum. Right now, my career is focused on palliative medicine, but every person I care for benefits from my skills as a geriatrician as well.

My mom was my inspiration for that initial interest in geriatric medicine. She works with older adults with dementia, and also cared for my grandmother who had Alzheimer’s dementia. Many of us have relatives affected by dementia, so I know I am not unique. After I completed my undergraduate degree, I spent a year working with low-income older adults in Washington, DC. My work involved education and tasks that were more aligned with a case management role. I missed science that year and realized that becoming a doctor would meld an understanding of physiology and social challenges.

I chose the University of Rochester for my education because the school incorporates geriatrics so well into the curriculum. I was not expecting to be inspired to also seek a career in palliative medicine. But how can you not be inspired by such amazing examples in the palliative care faculty? Also, right from the beginning, the medical curriculum at Rochester includes core elements of being a palliative clinician.

Later, when I moved away from Rochester, I came to have an even better perspective on what makes the University of Rochester’s palliative medicine program unique. My skills in palliative medicine started and were refined during my years at Rochester, and that education has carried me forward into my career.

Since then, there have been many moments that reinforced my decision to practice palliative medicine: when I help someone be heard, make life a bit easier or more comfortable for someone, when I laugh with my patients, or when I miss a patient who is no longer with us.

Q: What did you take with you from your time at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry? How has it shaped your career?

A: SMD was instrumental in making me the physician I am today. In retrospect, I thought that I would be a doctor once I finished medical school. I had the medical degree, but the person I am as a doctor continued to grow and develop as I went through my residency and fellowship at Rochester. The way I approach patients and families, often at the most vulnerable points of their lives, comes from the lessons that I learned as a student, resident, and then fellow. Right from the first day of medical school, we began learning how to talk to patients as people. We learned the language of medicine, how to interpret for patients and create plans that meet their needs. I feel I wouldn’t be the doctor I am today without SMD and the mentors I had there.

Q: What has motivated you to give back to the University and to join the George Eastman Circle?

A: When it comes to supporting the University, I have to thank my husband for this philosophy. He helped me understand that our schools shaped who we are as learners and professionals—and they continue to do that for others. Giving back helps support current learners, and it also adds value to our degrees because quality education can continue.

Now, my husband and I regularly donate back to our alma maters. We were not always able to give, but we have tried to do what little we could each year. After I learned about the George Eastman Circle, it seemed like a natural step. I believe you need to continue supporting your school if you want to continue to be proud of it.

Q: How do you approach all the responsibilities of balancing your family and career while also finding time to support the University?

A: It’s not easy being a parent and a physician, but both are rewarding (and exhausting sometimes). For me, family comes first. It helps to have a supportive husband in this. As a family, we are glad to be connected to a community of like-minded generous people. Somehow we find a way to balance all these priorities.

Q: What would you say to those who are thinking about coming to SMD for medical school or residency?

A: Any medical program will give you a foundation in the knowledge you need to be a physician, but not every program will teach you how to communicate with your patients and their families. Rochester is home to the biopsychosocial model, and you hear that over and over again. When you are out in the “real world” after finishing your education at Rochester, you realize the importance of those skills in communication. Also, I think the medical curriculum at Rochester helps us learn how to be lifelong learners as physicians. The point of medical school is not to learn everything—it’s to learn how to be a physician, how to care for patients, how to teach, and how to approach problems without easy answers or even ones that have no answers yet.

Learn more about the George Eastman Circle.