Home / News / Women in Medicine 2023 / Laura Turner-Essel, PhD
Women in Medicine: Laura Turner-Essel, PhD
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 have wanted to be a psychologist since I was 8 years old and started reading my older sister's college psychology textbooks!
Share a memorable experience or accomplishment you are proud of in your career. How did it impact your journey?
I was honored to be the inaugural Director of Residential & Community Life at UC Santa Cruz, where I provided mental health programming and support to a very underserved population - farm workers. The role sparked my love of program development which I now use in my position as a Program Manager for Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences.
Laura Turner-Essel, PhD
What would you tell other women starting to pursue a career in medicine?
Find a supportive community, whether through professional organizations or affinity groups at your school/workplace, that can affirm and encourage you throughout your journey.
What are some of the things that inspire you on a day-to-day basis?
Emails from students that have gone through our summer neuroscience programs here at Stanford and are writing to let me know how it has positively impacted them, their vision of themselves and their future plans.
What specific strategies do you use to maintain your own well-being?
I exercise daily, take long walks in nature, go to bed early and put my phone away for long periods of time.
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
