Ariel Lefland, MD, has been drawn to neurology for as long as she can remember. In college, an early fascination with the brain grew into curiosity about the biological basis for behavior, and as a medical student, the detective work and breadth of study in neurology drew her further in. For this week’s Spotlight interview, Lefland talks to us about finishing her PGY-2 year during a pandemic, the joys of teaching medical students, and enjoying reading, baking, and photography when she’s not at Duke.
What are your current responsibilities within the Neurology Department? What does a typical day for you look like?
As second-year residents we rotate mainly between our stroke, general neurology, and neurology consult services as well as the neurocritical care unit. It is a challenging year, and our responsibilities include being the primary provider for patients, creating a plan for each patient with the help of the chief resident and attending, writing notes, and placing orders. We also have opportunities to teach medical students rotating on their neurology clerkship, which I really enjoy.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your residency? What’s one strategy or resource that’s helped you personally or professionally?
The last few months during the COVID-19 pandemic have been challenging but have also served as a reminder for why I decided to go into medicine. With most of my family in New York, it has been an especially challenging time to be far from them during the pandemic. I think our program did a great job in preparing us for an influx of coronavirus patients and supporting us during this time. I am so inspired by all of my colleagues. We have always supported each other and that is especially true now. What’s helped me most through this time is making sure to take time out of each day to do something for myself.
How and when did you first get interested in neurology? What interests you the most about the field?
I have always been fascinated by the brain and neuroscience and have wanted to be a neurologist for as long as I can remember. I studied biopsychology in undergrad, which really sparked my interest in understanding the biological basis for behavior and the ways in which the nervous system misfires when it is damaged. I love the detective work, the art of the neurologic exam, and breadth of neurology as a specialty and really felt I could form relationships with patients and make a difference in patients’ lives by being a neurologist.
What’s one experience from your time as a resident so far that stands out as particularly valuable or memorable?
Some of the most memorable moments for me have been the opportunities I have had to work with the medical students. I got to work with a group of medical students on their very first clerkship, and it was really rewarding to see them become excited about learning neurology, interested in diagnosing neurologic disorders, and go from being nervous or timid with patients to being confident in their knowledge and exam skills. I always appreciated and valued the great teachers that I had as a medical student, and knowing I was able to give back in a way and have a positive impact was really fulfilling.
What plans do you have for after you complete your residency? If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
After residency I hope to complete a fellowship in neuroimmunology. I am still deciding in what clinical setting I want to practice, and I am very thankful for the supportive mentors I have here at Duke. I am very passionate about medical education and want to incorporate teaching medical students and residents into my future practice as well. I don’t think I could imagine doing anything other than being a physician, but if I could have any other job in the world, I think I would choose to be a photojournalist or wildlife photographer.
What other passions or hobbies do you have outside of the residency program?
I love to read; mysteries and fiction are my favorite genres. I also love traveling (which hopefully we’ll be able to do again soon!), photography, yoga, and baking.
Above, Lefland enjoys a trip to Cape Town, South Africa, before the pandemic.