Francesca Jade Genera-Miketinas, DO
Internal Medicine Residency
San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium
San Antonio, TX

In which residency or fellowship program are you currently in? 

I am a third-year internal medicine resident at the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium.

Why did you choose internal medicine? If you’re in fellowship, why did you choose that subspecialty? 

Throughout medical school, I genuinely enjoyed every specialty and wanted a career that would allow me to continue exploring the breadth of medicine. Internal medicine offered that opportunity, exposing me to such diverse fields as critical care, gastroenterology, hematology-oncology, and many others. I appreciate the intellectual challenge; the variety of pathology; and the opportunity to build meaningful, long-term relationships with patients.

What lesson(s) did you learn in residency or fellowship that will help you for the rest of your career? 

One of the most important lessons I've learned is to show up every day ready to do your best. Medicine is a team sport, and there is tremendous value in asking for help and learning from those around you. Everyone brings different experiences and perspectives, and working together ultimately leads to the best care for our patients.

I've also learned the importance of staying organized. Balancing patient care, administrative responsibilities, education, and personal life can be challenging, so I keep a running prioritized to-do list to help me stay focused and manage my time effectively!

What are your plans for after residency or fellowship? What factors or advice from mentors contributed to your decision? 

I am applying to a gastroenterology fellowship this year. I was drawn to gastroenterology because it combines procedural medicine with opportunities to develop long-term relationships with patients while caring for a wide range of complex diseases. Mentors in the field encouraged me to pursue a specialty that aligned with my interests and their guidance reinforced that gastroenterology was the right fit. I'm excited for the next chapter of my training!

How has being a member of ACP helped you in your professional life? What resources have been most helpful to you? 

ACP has provided valuable opportunities to connect with medical students, residents, and physicians from across the country while learning from their diverse experiences and perspectives. Presenting at the ACP Internal Medicine Meeting as a medical student broadened my understanding of the field and introduced me to mentors who shared practical advice that has been valuable throughout residency.

One of the resources I have found most helpful is the ACP board review material, particularly the board preparation slides. They provide a well-organized, high-yield review of core internal medicine topics and have been an excellent resource throughout residency.