EPISODE 1: KAYLA KOFFLER
December 13, 2023
Interview by pRIYANKA gERA
Edited by Michael Fortunato and Priyanka Gera
Photo by Ivan Dominguez
Where did you grow up?
I grew up mostly in Yonkers, but I was born in Manhattan and lived there for 6 years.
Do you have any siblings?
2 brothers. I am the middle girl. I think I got a lot of special treatment as the only girl in my family. It was a good time.
Are you going to be the first doctor in the family?
Yes. My grandpa was a dentist. But, yes, the first doctor. No aunts or cousins in my family are in the healthcare field.
What did you do before coming to medical school?
I was a teacher part time before coming to medical school. I was a Hebrew school teacher, which is a funny experience because none of the kids want to be there.
The real question is: did you want to be there?
Interesting question. [Both laugh] I worked at a primary care office 2 years before the teaching job. But when I applied to medical school, I had another year and wanted it to be more relaxed. I tutored in SAT sciences and essay writing while working in 2 Hebrew schools. It sounds like a lot, but I was only working 15 hours a week so I had more time to explore other hobbies.
Did you like teaching?
I like kids a lot. I like tutoring too, especially if the kids are into it. I remember this one kid who I taught geometry and he was always really excited about it. All my other students were being forced by their parents so it wasn’t very fun for them. The Hebrew school was fun though because it was Kindergartners. They were so cute. It was a good experience.
Since we are talking about jobs, what was the first job you ever had?
Camp counselor. I did it for 2 summers and also worked with little kids. Once you have a certain type of job, you realize that is what you're qualified for so you continue with similar jobs in the future.
How do you define success?
Money. [both laugh] No, I’m kidding. I guess I have thought about success because I am motivated to do well, but I have never thought about it head-on. Perhaps it is about finding yourself in a job that you find fulfilling––which is probably the most important thing. For me, right now, I am fulfilled by academics and being contemplative. If I could be in a job where I am not repeating the same thing all the time and I can think on my feet, then that would be success for me. Whereas, you are doing a job where you are needed to come up with solutions and be reflective, you become of value to the job. That’s what I would want: to be of value at my job and push myself to be my best.
Based on that, what would you want your personal or professional legacy to be?
I am not sure about my professional legacy. I would want to be thought of as a good doctor––whatever that means. Knowledgeable. Competent. Well-trained. I have no aspirations of standing out per se. I simply want people to be at ease and be heard when they are around me. I think I would want this for my patients, friends and family––to trust me and be comfortable around me.
Here is a more fun question: What was your worst fashion moment?
I went to a Jewish school when growing up so we had to wear really long skirts up until 4th grade when I switched schools. I would wear really long denim skirts that turned into ribbon at the end. Or denim that had tie dye at the bottom. Probably nowadays they would be cool.
In honor of the coffee we are drinking right now, how do you take your coffee?
Black.
That’s it?
It’s just laziness. [Both laugh] If I’m going to a cafe then I will order something fancier: a latte with oat milk. Otherwise, just black coffee. My coffee obsession started a couple months ago. I used to have coffee in college too in the dining halls, but I didn’t drink any during my gap years, which made me more anxious. Since medical school though, I have been drinking lots of coffee.
What is the last book you read?
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri. It was really good. It was a sad book, made up of short stories. A lot of them took place in America about people who immigrated here and were trying to find their place in the culture, trying to adjust. There was a particular one that was written from the perspective of a child––a second generation Indian from a wealthier family. He had this older woman babysitting him who had just come to America with her husband, who was a professor at a university. She was meant to learn how to drive so she could be more independent, but she didn’t want to and always called her husband. He was growing distant from her though and was bothered that she kept calling him. She ends up pushing herself and sitting behind the steering wheel to learn––and she brings the child with her, but they end up getting into an accident. She gets fired and the kid never sees her again. You are left in the lurch without knowing how she felt or what happened.
What’s the next book on your list?
Book club!
Yes! Shoutout to Book Club. Why did you start the NYMC book club?
I majored in English in college and I missed having discussions with people about books because for me it illuminates parts for me that I never would have interpreted the same way. The goal is not to replicate English class because I think it was the professor who would bring out those interesting ideas, but moreso, I think at school it is so hard to find a topic of conversation that doesn’t involve school. So, it’s been nice to have the books to talk about. Also, when we get a shipment of books and I deliver it out to people, it feels like Christmas morning. Everyone is so happy and the fresh smell of the book is so great. I am excited for the next meeting. Shoutout to Ben Miller for suggesting the book: Sea of Tranquility [by Emily St. John Mandel].
If someone were to write a book about you, what would you want it to be called?
The first book that popped into my head is The Little Engine That Could, I don’t know why. Have you heard of that? It is about this little train that is puffing along and is having a hard time, but he just keeps moving forward. That’s probably not what I want my book to be called, but he is cute and he is trying to do his best.
The best piece of advice you have ever received?
Probably what my dad says about being self-assured because it goes a long way. Whenever I express apprehension about doing something, he always says “If you want to do it, you will.” It is simple, but it hasn’t failed me. Things do often work out, even if you are worried about them at the moment.
If you could travel back in time, when would you return to?
Maybe the ‘90s. Seems like a fun time based on “Sex and the City.” I feel like New York was a vibe at that time. Manhattan specifically. Wait, when was pre-cell phones? Maybe I want to travel back to when there were no cell phones. So I will go back to the 80s instead and because I like the music.
Which music?
Was ABBA the ‘80s?
I have no idea. You are asking the wrong person.
Whenever disco music was a thing. I think Robbins was the ‘90s. Let’s just say I’d go to the disco era. 🪩
Your favorite season?
Fall. It is so good. The weather is perfect. It is the optimal time for your closet. September is probably my favorite month because it is cool enough, but still summer-y. I love the transitions and it feels like the start of the year to me not just because school starts, but also because the Jewish Holiday Rosh Hashanah (our New Year) falls around that time. That always feels like the start of the year to me rather than New Years. It feels like a time of rebirth and reflection. It is a good time of year.
Speaking of holidays, do you have a favorite holiday or holiday tradition?
Probably Passover. It is such a good one. My family is pretty into it and the food isn’t overall great, but there are a lot of good dishes we eat then. Matzah brei which some people describe as french toast or scrambled eggs with matzah in it––it adds a nice crunch. Or matzah balls, which are my favorite.
What are you feeling grateful for today?
Dr. Petersen. She has made biochemistry so great, genuinely.
Your top 3 moments from anatomy lab, since you just finished that.
We found an Advil in our patient’s small intestine.
Our patient had perfect lungs. It was a great day.
When my lab partner and I would pull out Netter’s and vibe. We would bond and test each other.
Words of advice to future M1s.
Allow yourself to be interested in things, do not get bogged down by the fact that a test is coming up. Sometimes I think a topic is really interesting, and I want to really learn about it and research it further. Go learn more about that topic rather than memorizing lecture material about it. Sometimes I bookmark things for later because of a test, but part of why you are in medical school is to find your interests and this is the time you are really learning about the body. This is the foundation of your future career, so take the time to let yourself be curious.
Contact Kayla at kkoffler2@student.nymc.edu.
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