Dr. Malone’s Michigan Answer: It's been said, a mentor is not someone who walks ahead of you; a mentor walks alongside you to show you what you can do. Walking alongside our amazing medical students and helping them see their gifts, talents, passions and purpose strengthens my purpose.

Anita M. Malone, M.D, MPH, she/her (pictured second from left above), is Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Michigan Medicine. She is also Associate Program Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency, and Co-Director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Preparatory Course. Her research interests include how social determinants of health contribute to disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity, and interdisciplinary education and collaboration.

Here, she shares why the sense of community and connectedness at University of Michigan Medical School/Michigan Medicine appealed to her. She also provides a glimpse into the mission of the Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program, and what she loves about mentoring and engaging with our medical students.

What appealed to you about coming to the University of Michigan Medical School/Michigan Medicine for a faculty appointment?

I came to the University Michigan Medical School because of the sense of community and connectedness that I felt when interviewed. I returned to Michigan Medicine as faculty after residency because of that same sense of community and connectedness. Additionally, there is a strong unparalleled tradition of interdisciplinary collaboration and commitment to excellence, leadership and teamwork.

What drew you to a career in your specialty and what advice do you have for medical students when it comes to selecting a specialty?

I was drawn to Obstetrics and Gynecology because of the variety of clinical experiences. I am a surgeon; I take care of people in the ambulatory care setting and in the hospital. I also love the intimacy, intensity and continuity of care that is commonplace in OBGYN.

I believe that OBGYN is my calling. I tell students that a specialty will choose you as much as you choose that specialty. It is a calling. You know it’s your calling when you get tired in it but you’re never tired of it. At 3 am when I’m paged to a room for delivery or the OR for an emergent case certainly I may be tired physically, but I’m excited to care for and meet the needs of that patient.

We encourage our medical students to pursue their passions while in medical school -- what do you see as your professional passions, how are you able to pursue those while working at Michigan Medicine, and why is that important to you?

I actually prefer to think about pursuing my professional purpose. There is a concept called Ikigai “where the convergence of four areas of life: what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for,” in the center is where one’s purpose resides. The overlap of one’s love and talents make up your passion but only tells part of the story. The tripartite mission at Michigan includes education, research and clinical. I’m an educator. I get to interact with undergraduates, medical students and residents. My research interests include how social determinants of health contribute to disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity and interdisciplinary education and collaboration. Finally, I get to care for patients in an institution, department and division with a demonstrated fierce commitment to taking excellent care of women across the state, nation and world.

I love what I do, I’m good at it and always striving to be better. The world needs educators, researchers and clinicians, and I’m paid to do it. I’ve found purpose at a place whose mission aligns with mine.

What do you see is your overall purpose/mission when it comes to shaping future physician leaders?

Our mission in the Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program is to train clinically competent, surgically skilled leaders in Women’s Healthcare. Our learners are provided with every able resource to succeed. We expect that if and when they leave Michigan they are well equipped to care for patients and that they will contribute to advancing our specialty, via research, teaching, quality improvement/patient safety, advocacy etc.

For our students applying to OBGYN (who participate in the residency prep course) our mission is that they are ready on day one of residency. We aim to solidify their foundation so they can start to build on it. They are ready to learn, ready to teach, ready to care for patients. Ready!

What aspect(s) of the current Michigan medical school curriculum do you wish you had had access to during your training and why?

I love how much time our students have to explore and experience different clinical specialties in the 3rd and 4th years. While not specifically curricular, M-Home also seems like an amazing opportunity. Purposeful community building, exposure to coaching, a focus on well-being, and an intentional focus on creating a culture of authenticity and peer mentorship and development, is classic Michigan.

What do you enjoy about mentoring our medical students?

It’s been said, a mentor is not someone who walks ahead of you; a mentor walks alongside you to show you what you can do. Walking alongside our amazing medical students and helping them see their gifts, talents, passions and purpose strengthens my purpose.

What is the culture like at Michigan Medicine and how are medical students able to engage in that culture?

I would recommend that prospective students reflect and be clear about their motivations for pursuing a career in medicine. Engage in or get proximate to patient care experiences.

Once you’re in medical school, find your support circle immediately. Ask for help when you need it and give help when you can. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Strive together, don’t compete. Be curious. Be humble. Don’t forget what a privilege it is to be trusted to care for others.

What do you like to do outside of work/around Ann Arbor for your wellbeing?

I like to travel and spend time with family and friends. We have a great food scene here in Ann Arbor. We like to find new cuisines to explore. I recently started taking pottery classes and am contemplating taking golfing lessons.

I am a Wolverine through and through, and I recognize my inherent bias and extraordinary love for this institution, its people and potential. That being said, I truly believe in the culture and resources of this place. Leaders and Best are more than just words in a fight song; they are an imperative and a directive.

In what ways has your experience at UMMS lived up to what you expected when you decided to enroll here, or how has Michigan been a good fit for you?

Through a flexible curriculum and ample access to mentorship, Michigan has empowered me to be a changemaker as a medical student, rather than encouraging me to simply put my head down and study for now and wait until later in my career to improve the field of medicine.