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Women in Medicine: Celeste Poe, PhD, LMFT
During September, we proudly feature women in our department for
Women in Medicine Month!
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I've always been obsessed with babies and have always loved children. I knew I wanted to work with children either as a teacher, a pediatrician, or a child psychologist.
Share a memorable experience or accomplishment you are proud of in your career. How did it impact your journey?
Being awarded a ZERO TO THREE fellowship has been one of the accomplishments I'm most proud of because of how much I've always longed to learn among and from peers who share the same passion and vision for improving early intervention and early childhood and perinatal mental health care. I have the opportunity to learn from individuals from all over the country (and three other countries) involved in research, program development, and policy. It's been both grounding and inspiring.
Celeste Poe, PhD, LMFT
What is a challenge you experienced in pursuing a career in medicine?
As a Black woman, throughout the pursuit of my masters and doctoral degrees, I have always been one of the few Black people in my classes and in my clinical work. Holding multiple marginalized identities in Academia can be very challenging, with both internal and external pressures to excel and do so flawlessly. This has pushed me to work hard, but has taken a toll at times. It's also made it challenging to find mentors who I connect with and get support and guidance from.
What would you tell other women starting to pursue a career in medicine?
I would say to not be afraid to think outside of the box. Medicine has historically been made to support one kind of provider and one kind of patient. As women, we have the ability to bring new perspectives and skills that will take this field to the next level.
What are some of the things that inspire you on a day-to-day basis?
The parents I work with bring me such deep gratitude and satisfaction for this work. Being able to bare witness to them navigating and overcoming the unthinkable is such an honor.
What specific strategies do you use to maintain your own well-being?
Being in the infant and early childhood mental health field has provided me with skills in reflective practice. This requires me to bring myself into the room and into my work in a way that honors my own processing and helps me to keep my wellbeing in mind.
Women in Medicine
We asked some of the #StanfordWIM in our department to share their stories - what advice they would give someone starting in the field, what well-being strategies they use, and what inspires them. Read what they have to say! #WomenInMedicine
