I.M. a Resident/Fellow: Mara Terras, MD, FACP

Mara Terras, MD, FACP
Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellow
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI

In which residency or fellowship program are you currently in?

Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI.

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

I originally applied to medical school with the intention to become a primary care internal medicine physician, and I practiced for nearly 11 years in that role before deciding to transition to a hospice and palliative medicine fellowship. Both primary care and palliative care have relationship building at their core, and this has always been my passion. I feel honored and thankful each time I connect with patients in a way that helps them heal. After over a decade in primary care, I felt it had become more challenging to have adequate time to engage in conversations about meaning and values with my patients. I decided to change to palliative care to develop my communication skills and focus on the vulnerable and often difficult conversations that help me care for my patients in a way that honors their full personhood and experience. 

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

Naming, understanding, and processing the emotions around a certain situation or decision are vital in order to have real communication and trust. Moving too quickly past the emotions or ignoring them, or making assumptions about how patients or their loved ones are feeling, will often lead to misunderstanding or errors or the need to revise a medical plan later on. 

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

I hope to work in an outpatient palliative care clinic where I can also use my prior primary care skills to support patients as they navigate serious illness/debility and the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of their condition.

How has being a member of ACP helped you in your professional life? What resources have been most helpful to you? 
I have been a member of ACP since residency. I appreciate the comprehensive approach to health and health care that includes not only education but also research, advocacy, and community building. I particularly enjoy connecting with colleagues at the regional and national meetings.