January 2025 FELLOW SPOTLIGHT: JEANETTE CHENG, MDJeanette Cheng, MD, is a current fellow in the Division of Geriatrics at Northwestern Medicine. Read a Q&A with Dr. Cheng below.
Can you share your journey into geriatrics and what motivated you to pursue this specialty? I have always been drawn to goals-of-care discussions and end-of-life care. During my second year of family medicine residency, I took care of an older patient with end-stage COPD on my inpatient service. Every morning as I rounded on the patient, we would extend our daily check-ins beyond the confines of the hospital. The patient and I formed a special rapport that on my last day on service, the patient asked me what I was planning on doing after graduating from residency. I instead asked her what she thought I should do. She answered without hesitation, “I think you should be a geriatrician.” Because of her, my life pivoted, and I have been able to pursue this specialty with confidence, passion and purpose. Unfortunately, she passed away two days after our rendezvous; however, she has left a legacy and will forever remain in my journey of becoming a physician to care for older adults. What is the primary focus of your current research projects? I was able to participate with the Lindquist Lab in their research project, NegotiAge. The aim of the research is to help older adults by supporting families through equipping caregivers with negotiation skills that improve communication and overall health for their loved ones. How do you see your research impacting the field of geriatrics and the care of older adults? The impact of the research has been shown to benefit the health of not only older adults but also the well-being of their caregivers. We are hoping to extend this program to training healthcare providers who care for older adults that may be faced with difficult standstill situations regarding the provision of optimal medical care and advice to their patients and caregivers. What have been some of the most impactful findings or experiences during your fellowship at Northwestern Medicine? The patients I have been able to care for have truly enriched my fellowship experience. I thoroughly enjoy caring for the older adults that I have met in various settings, whether they be in the clinic, hospital, nursing home, or even their own homes. As fellows, we get to rotate with different specialties, including rheumatology, urogynecology, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, wound care, to name a few, and since our population is getting older, I have gotten to see how different specialties tailor their care to their older patients. What insights or advice would you offer to fellow geriatricians and trainees in the field? Less is more. From my encounters with patients, they have shared with me their anecdotal experiences from seeing a geriatrician versus seeing other specialty providers. We do get the luxury of spending more time with patients and developing a deeper relationship with them. It is vital to hear what matters to them the most to tailor the care one provides. What I have learned as a geriatrician is the importance of listening and prioritizing what patients value with their health. Looking ahead, what are your career goals and how do you plan to continue making a difference in geriatrics? After fellowship, I hope to continue my passion in primary care, ideally in an academic setting where I can share with future leaders of medicine the passion of caring for our older adults and inspire them to pursue a wholistic approach to patient care for our aging population. Geriatrics is such a diverse field in and of itself, with various opportunities such as incorporating home visits into one’s practice, serving as a chief medical director at a skilled nursing facility/nursing home, or conducting research to advocate and promote age-friendly communities. The possibilities are endless and I am excited to see what is to come! |
Jeanette Cheng, MD, is a current fellow in the Division of Geriatrics at Northwestern Medicine.
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