Meet the Women in Medicine at GBMC: Elisabeth Carr, MD

Dr. Elisabeth Carr is the Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency program at GBMC as well as a practicing Pulmonary and Critical Care physician. She is a graduate of New York Medical College (1998) and completed her residency and fellowship training at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. She stayed on as faculty in the division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine where she developed interest in the impact of autoimmune diseases on the lungs. She developed further interest in Sarcoidosis and has developed a large practice at GBMC over the past seven years. She has been involved in medical education her whole career and is thrilled to be leading the residency program at GBMC.

Take yourself back. You got your acceptance letter to medical school. Where are you? How are you feeling? What are you most excited about?


I was living in New York City at the time. I was elated I got into medical school, especially since I took a non-traditional path to get there. I had planned on a career in business, and it wasn't until my senior year of college that I realized my calling to medicine. It was a major pivot. We are fortunate in the U.S. to be able to study one thing and then do something totally different!

What led you to a career in healthcare? What led you to your chosen discipline?


Everything came together for me as a senior in college. I knew I loved people and wanted to help them. I chose Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine because I like a challenge and thinking on my feet. Pulmonary is complex and I still learn something new every day. Critical Care is exhilarating and often requires developing intense relationships with families, which can be very rewarding. Now, I am also Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program. I have always felt passionate about medical education. This has been an amazing experience. Training of the next generation of physicians is my contribution to society.

Alongside caring for patients, what is one other thing you love about your role?


The people I have met from the residents to executives in the hospital. I feel so much more enriched by them. The residents are at the start of their journey, and I love watching them blossom. At the same time, I am learning about the operations of an institution. I have a voice!

What informs your leadership style? What one skill would you recommend a future female leader in medicine cultivate?


Passion and commitment. Being a leader is not about ruling; it's about cultivating and tapping into everyone's greatest potential.

At GBMC, our vision is to take care of patients as if they were our own loved ones. Who are you picturing when you care for patients?


My mom!

What accomplishment are you most proud of in your professional career?


I am proud of every step I have taken in my career, not one particular thing. It is a journey for me, and everything builds off each step.

What has helped you navigate challenges or barriers to achieving your success?


My husband and children provide me endless support and I have found the most incredible mentor at GBMC, so barriers have been insignificant, at least to my morale!

What do you do to decompress?


Work out and binge-watch Netflix. Sometimes DIY projects are just the thing I need to clear my head. And who doesn't love a good glass of red wine?

What do you think the future of medicine looks like for women?


Women are changing the face of medicine by virtue of work-life balance choices. I see more job-sharing emergence.

What does being a women in medicine mean to you?


Being a woman in medicine is a very natural thing for me but I do get the sense that we are on a frontier. I love being a role model for other women and especially my daughters. I want them to know they can achieve any goal they chose and that they should always be the ones to choose how they want to live and what they want to do.