If you see something, say something, right? What about when it comes to seeing inequities in patient care? When saying something isn’t enough, are you bold enough to take the necessary steps to actually do something about it? Such is the foundation of Dr. Sarah Eichinger’s commitment to becoming a Hospitalist. Dr. Eichinger is one of six recipients of PracticeLink’s Spring 2025 First Practice Fund scholarship.

While pursuing Hospital-based academic medicine. Dr. Eichinger is focusing on mentorship, education reform and advocacy. Her goal is to merge clinical care with public advocacy—a challenge that requires not only an understanding and commitment to underserved communities, but an exceptional amount of leadership and a strong dedication to professional excellence.

Dr. Eichinger’s winning entry for PracticeLink’s Spring 2025 First Practice Fund, described her commitment to medicine and public health, and the potential impact her journey would have on patients. 

PracticeLink: Why did you enter medicine? 

Dr. Sarah Eichinger: After college, I was torn between a career in medicine and public health policy, so I decided to take a year to volunteer full-time at a free clinic in Phoenix. 

What is the need for underinsured / underserved patient care in Phoenix?

As Social Services Coordinator, I connected patients to resources needed to comply with treatment plan, from food boxes and medication to financial assistance and shelter referrals. I networked with other free and low-cost clinics, social workers and community outreach programs to compile a comprehensive database of resources that could be shared with clinics and other local organizations serving a similar patient population. Additionally, I worked with our medical director to implement monthly classes for our patients on preventative medicine education, attended lectures on providing healthcare to the underserved, and meetings of the Arizona Safety Net, an organization encouraging collaboration and resource sharing among clinics in the Phoenix area. 

During this year, I discovered choosing between public health and medicine wasn’t necessary. I realized physicians are uniquely poised to be public health advocates because they are intimately aware of the acute needs of the populations they serve and therefore able to propose and advocate for measures that strengthen the safety net for their populations. During residency, I continue to seek opportunities to expand my experience working with underserved populations at the largest public hospital in Illinois, serving predominantly patients who are underinsured and who come from disinvested communities.

PL: How have you demonstrated professionalism in your medical training?

DR. EICHINGER: I am a member of the Primary Care track in our residency program, which means I split my time between Cook County Hospital and Rush University Medical Center. Early on, I recognized the challenges that come with training at two different hospital systems and founded the Primary Care Residency Liaison position to strengthen communication, coordination and community within our track. This role has allowed me to demonstrate professionalism through leadership, service and a commitment to fostering those same values in the next generation of residents.

As liaison, I serve as a bridge between residents and administration at both sites, advocating for our peers while ensuring important information flows efficiently across institutions. This requires accountability to both individuals and the system, and it reflects a sense of duty to improve the residency experience for everyone, particularly incoming interns navigating complex clinical and institutional environments.

One of the most meaningful aspects of this role has been supporting new residents through the transition into residency. My co-liaisons and I organize and lead orientation sessions and welcome events, not just to share logistical information, but to model the culture and values we hope to instill. We make ourselves consistently available as resources and mentors, embodying altruism through a commitment to their well-being and success. In doing so, we create an environment where professionalism is not just expected, it is demonstrated in daily interactions through respectful communication, following through on our commitments and encouraging open dialogue about challenges. By maintaining integrity, prioritizing patient care over self-interest, and showing respect for all team members, we aim to lead by example.

Through this work, I’ve come to view professionalism not only as a personal commitment, but as a culture we must actively cultivate. By guiding and mentoring our incoming colleagues, we lay the foundation for a community grounded in empathy, accountability, and excellence—values that will shape their identities as physicians long after residency.

PL: How have you built and utilized strong interpersonal and communication skills in your training?

DR. EICHINGER: Throughout my residency, I developed strong interpersonal and communication skills through experiences in leadership, advocacy and a dedication to continuous improvement in medical education.

I was honored to be elected by my peers to serve on our Internal Medicine Residency Curriculum Committee, where I advocated for both resident well-being and educational advancement.

Our committee collaborated closely with program leadership to guide key transitions, including the shift from a drip to a bolus admission model and the implementation of a night float system in place of 24-hour call in the Cardiac ICU—both aimed at improving workflow and reducing resident burnout. I also partnered with faculty to update the endocrinology rotation curriculum and didactic sessions, ensuring residents receive more structured and clinically relevant teaching. Additionally, we piloted a program to provide interns with more opportunities to write admission H&Ps, helping to enhance early clinical exposure and foster autonomy.

(H&P stands for History and Physicals. They are comprehensive assessments of a patient’s medical background and current physical condition.)

Through this work, I have used interpersonal skills to maintain open communication with peers and faculty, actively listening to resident concerns, engaging in collaborative problem solving and staying committed to the continuous improvement of the learning environment for current and future trainees.

PL: What are your career goals and how will the First Practice Fund help you achieve them?

DR. EICHINGER: My long-term career goal is to pursue academic medicine, where I can combine clinical excellence with a deep commitment to teaching, mentorship and service. I am particularly passionate about training the next generation of physicians to deliver high-quality, compassionate care—especially to underserved populations. I believe the future of medicine depends not only on advancing medical knowledge, but also on fostering physician well-being, empathy and a sense of responsibility to care for those most in need.

As I prepare to serve as a Chief Medical Resident at our public safety-net hospital, I see this next year as critical in my development as both a clinician and an educator. In this role, I have the opportunity to further grow my teaching and mentoring skills while refining my clinical judgment in a complex, resource-limited setting. 

(Safety-net hospitals are known for their open-door policies. They provide healthcare services regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.)

I also hope to develop initiatives that support resident well-being and help shape a culture of professionalism and patient-centered care.

This scholarship will be instrumental in helping me achieve these goals. It will provide the financial support and recognition to dedicate time and energy toward educational innovation, mentorship programs and advocacy for underserved communities. It will also connect me with a broader community of like-minded physician-leaders who share a vision for equitable, compassionate, and academically rigorous care. With this support, I will be better equipped to grow into a leadership role where I can influence medical education and inspire future residents to approach their work with knowledge, empathy and purpose.