"If you are someone who has a broad sense of wanting to do something for humanity, wanting to do something for science, there is no better place than Weill Cornell Medicine.”
Alyssa grew up in a family of healthcare professionals, and while her own skills gravitated towards writing and journalism, her relatives provided a unique insight into the amazing impact that medical treatments and care have on patients’ lives. These passions intertwined in her work as a healthcare reporter in the Hudson Valley, but when she saw a posting for a communications role at Weill Cornell Medicine, she was driven to apply by a personal experience: a Weill Cornell Medicine physician had recently treated one of her family members for a debilitating illness. “I wanted to be part of a family that had done so much for my own.”
In Alyssa’s current role as an Associate Editor in the Office of External Affairs, she crafts stories about Weill Cornell Medicine’s advances in clinical care, latest research breakthroughs, and innovative academic programs. “The discoveries we make today will lead to tomorrow’s treatments and cures, and as the institution’s communications team, we have an important responsibility to share those advances with the public.”
The rapid pace in External Affairs is reminiscent of Alyssa’s earlier work in the newsroom, but the collaborative relationships she has developed with her colleagues and people throughout the institution are much different. “The people that Weill Cornell Medicine has assembled to tell its story—the physicians, scientists, staff, administration, and my colleagues—are all in the service of a broader mission. It’s so rewarding to work alongside such amazing people who have the same passion and excitement for the work we do.”
Alyssa sees herself as a member of a supportive, collaborative team that seeks to enhance Weill Cornell Medicine’s reputation for excellence, and her managers help set that tone. “There’s a real nurturing environment here. Our bosses are invested in our success—not just our departmental achievements, but our personal career triumphs. That doesn’t exist in a lot of places.”
What would Alyssa tell someone who is considering a career at Weill Cornell Medicine? “In whatever capacity someone comes here—administrator to writer to doctor to researcher—every person on this campus has an important role to play. Their work helps us make a difference in the lives of our patients, our students, and generations of people who will benefit from our contributions to medicine. If you are someone who has a broad sense of wanting to do something for humanity, wanting to do something for science, there is no better place than Weill Cornell Medicine.”