Meet Amy Baranoski, MD, MSc, the medical director at the Partnership Comprehensive Care Practice. In her role, Dr. Baranoski oversees all medical and clinical operations of the Partnership. She is a dedicated, board-certified physician in internal medicine and infectious diseases, committed to providing high-quality care for individuals living with HIV and other infectious conditions. She holds a Master of Science in Epidemiology and has been the recipient of multiple teaching awards throughout her career. In the following Q&A, Dr. Baranoski shares more about her background and her goals for stepping into this role.

What inspired you to pursue medicine, and to specialize in infectious diseases and HIV care? 

My interest in medicine grew from a love of science coupled with working with people to help them live healthier lives. I’m the only physician in my family and I didn’t start considering a career in medicine until I was in high school. I’ve always loved solving puzzles, and infectious diseases is a field where you need to be a detective and put the full patient history and physical exam together to make a diagnosis. I’ve seen patients where their travel history or hobby (for example, exposure to certain animals or environments) can be the clue the provider needs to figure things out. Infectious disease providers see patients with diseases that impact every organ system, so things never get boring.

Looking back at your career, from clinical work to medical education, what experiences have most shaped your approach to patient care and leadership?

I was a student at Drexel, and my experience with the Salvation Army Health Outreach Project clinic really solidified my desire to be a patient advocate. Most of my medical career has been focused on serving marginalized communities. My personal approach to patient care is that everyone deserves a health care provider who listens to and treats them with respect.

My approach to leadership has been influenced by my patient care experiences and some supervisors and mentors in my career who have taught me a lot. I believe a good leader supports and empowers their team and is humble enough to know that they can learn something from all the members of the team.

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your career so far?

As I think about this question, the answer that keeps coming back to me is feeling like I’ve been able to make a positive impact on some of the people I’ve worked with, including patients, colleagues and students. I’m thinking about moments where a patient has said that they appreciate that I’ve helped them during a difficult time, or sitting with a student and talking through a concept when they have that “ah-ha” moment and I can see them putting things together. I’ve been very lucky to have some wonderful career opportunities in patient care, education and research, and I anticipate that this new role will draw on many of those experiences.

What excites you most about what’s possible at PCCP?

The Partnership is an amazing place. The commitment of the providers and staff to do their best for patients and to support each other is an incredible strength. While I know there are challenges in health care and research, I will be joining a very strong team. I am very excited about this opportunity to work with the team to grow and support PCCP’s mission.

What do you enjoy most about working directly with patients?

When working in clinical care, you never know what the day will bring, and you need to stay on your toes and keep learning new things. I also appreciate the relationship you develop with patients in outpatient medicine. You really do get to know patients and hopefully make a difference in some way.

What are your top priorities as medical director at Partnership?

I am coming into this role as someone who was a provider at PCCP for almost nine years but has been away for some time. That means I have some organizational knowledge and history but also hope to look at PCCP as it is currently with fresh eyes. My short-term priorities are to get up to speed on the strengths and opportunities at PCCP, get to know the team members who are new to me and to get reacquainted with people I’ve worked with before. I am also excited about the opportunities Drexel Health brings, and I look forward to learning how PCCP can collaborate with the other participants in Drexel Health.

Why is clinical research so important in a care setting like PCCP?

The approach to treatment of HIV has evolved so much since I was in my infectious disease training. Those changes have happened largely because of clinical research. Providers want to make the best recommendations to patients, and clinical research allows us to do that by following scientific evidence.

What would you say to patients who might be hesitant about participating in research trials?

I can understand why some people might be hesitant. I know some people may be concerned that they will be a “guinea pig” if they take part in research. A patient’s trusted provider and the research team can go a long way in helping an individual understand the potential benefits and risks of participating in a study. Some patients who choose to participate in research can get access to new treatment options they may not otherwise have access to, which can be very positive. For other studies, there may be no direct benefit to the participants other than feeling like they are helping researchers and physicians learn how to best take care of patients. It is great if people are open to learning about potential options to see if there’s a study which might be a good fit for them.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I spend as much of my free time as I can relaxing with my family when I’m not at work. We play board games or try to do something active like kicking a soccer ball around. I started a dog training class with our dog a couple of years ago, and we are now working on more advanced training skills, which has been surprisingly fun.