Creating an Environment of Encouragement with Dr. Jeffrey Berger

Dr. Jeffrey Berger is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Surgery (on tenure track) with appointments in Cardiology, Hematology, and Vascular Surgery, and Director of Cardiovascular Thrombosis at New York University School of Medicine. During his training, he received a Master’s degree in clinical research from the NIH K30 program at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He completed fellowships in Cardiology at Duke University, Cardiovascular Research training at Duke Clinical Research Institute, and Vascular Medicine and Thrombosis and Hemostasis at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Berger has been the recipient of several grants, honors and awards, including the American Heart Association's Fellow Faculty award, amongst many others. He has also established an independent NIH-funded research program, investigating the role of platelet activity and thrombotic biomarkers in cardiovascular disease. How can we develop a more positive environment in medicine? For starters, says Dr. Jeffrey Berger, is finding ways to bring out the best in those around us. On top of that, Dr. Berger believes hard work, perseverance, and curiosity are the key principles for success. Today, he teaches us how to construct the mindset we need to persevere in medicine—and how to help others succeed along the way, too. Pearls of Wisdom: 1. Ask yourself the questions you want to answer and do not pursue meaningless paths in life. Ask yourself how you can make fresh contributions to your field that few others are making. 2. Be different. Do not conform to a specific mold but be willing to go places, do stuff, and try things others might not attempt. 3. Create an environment of encouragement. Do your best to bring out the best in those around you. 4. Persevere through difficult seasons. Be curious and willing to try hard, fail, and then try again.