Meet Your Lead Coach: Kerri Palamara, MD, MACP
Kerri Palamara, MD, MACP
Boston, MA (Massachusetts General Hospital)
— PRACTICE TYPE —
Outpatient
— CAREER LEVEL —
Mid-career
Kerri Palamara, MD, MACP is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She completed her medical degree at New York Medical College and Primary Care Internal Medicine Residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital and now practices as a primary care general internal medicine physician at MGH. Dr. Palamara is lead faculty for ACP’s Physician Peer Coach Training Program, which trains physicians on evidence-based coaching skills to support their career and professional development. She is also a lead coach for the ACP Physician Peer Coaching program, providing career and professional development coaching support to individuals and groups.
Dr. Palamara leads the Center for Professional Well-being for the Department of Medicine at MGH, and co-leads the MGH Workplace Well-being Collaborative and the MGH ELEVATE Physician Leadership Program. Her academic work focuses on physician coaching, clinician well-being, and faculty development. Dr. Palamara created and directs the Physician Coaching Program for trainees at MGH as well as the faculty physician coaching programs at MGH and is currently involved in several randomized controlled trials locally and nationally on the impact of coaching for coachees and their coaches. The MGH Physician Coaching Program has expanded nationally to over 40 residency and fellowship programs and Dr. Palamara is actively involved in onboarding, evaluating and sustaining these programs.
For her work, Dr. Palamara has won teaching awards at MGH, Partners Healthcare, Harvard Medical School, Mass General Brigham, the Society of General Internal Medicine, and the American College of Physicians; and has been awarded Mastership in the American College of Physicians.
What does coaching mean to you?
Coaching is a powerful relationship that creates space for reflection, insight, and growth. I believe it enables individuals to align their values with their goals, navigate challenges with clarity, and move forward with intention. It’s about empowering people to access their own wisdom and make meaningful, sustainable change.
How would you define your coaching style?
My coaching style is collaborative, authentic, and values driven. I listen deeply, ask reflective questions, and create a supportive environment where clients feel safe to explore possibilities and take purposeful steps toward their goals. I incorporate mindfulness and well-being practices when helpful and always center the client’s agenda.
What is your favorite coaching focus area?
I especially enjoy coaching around career transitions, leadership development, work-life integration, and professional well-being. I work often with individuals navigating role evolution, burnout, or identity shifts, helping them clarify what matters most and develop strategies to thrive in complex systems. I also work with those leading groups through change on that excites me as well!
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, being outdoors, staying active, and supporting the non-profit my family runs called Colin’s Joy Project. I live in South Boston and have an incredible network of friends and community that I love spending time with. I have run several marathons and in general, exercise is an important part of my well-being. My friends and I bond together through group fitness and marathon training, as well as watching our kids play sports!