Advocacy Internship Reflections by Dr. Isabella Newman

Isabella Newman, MD

Geriatrics & Palliative Medicine Fellow
Northwell Health

Entering the Program

I’m thrilled to join the NYACP Steven Walerstein, MD, MACP Advocacy Internship. As a fellow in Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, I’m passionate about improving the ways in which patients and their loved ones experience serious illness, especially those from vulnerable communities. I recognize the critical relationship among clinical care, community resources, and public policy in improving patients’ lives and reducing health disparities. Through this internship, I hope to gain hands-on advocacy experience, learn how to interpret and evaluate public policy implicating my field, and develop a deeper understanding of how policy change can impact the lives of patients and providers.

Growing up, my role models were individuals who applied their skills and knowledge—along with a solid moral compass—to make positive changes in the world. I aspired to emulate their selflessness and passion for creating a lasting impact. In college and medical school, I dedicated my time to working with underserved communities. At Brown University, I engaged with the Providence refugee community through the Refugee Youth Tutoring and Enrichment Program. While there, I connected families experiencing financial hardship with social services at Hasbro Children’s Hospital through Health Leads Providence. I traveled internationally with Brown’s MEDLIFE chapter to organize a mobile clinic in rural Ecuador. Later, while in medical school in Israel, I volunteered with Physicians for Human Rights to provide medical services in the West Bank. These experiences solidified my commitment to addressing the needs of socioeconomically disadvantaged and medically underserved populations.

As a medical resident in New York City from 2019 to 2022, I had the unique experience of training during the COVID-19 pandemic. I navigated complex ethical problems, including discussions about anticipated ventilator rationing and use of untested treatments, during a time of great uncertainty. Witnessing the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black and Latino communities in NYC profoundly shaped my perspective. COVID-19 made abstract concepts like social determinants of health starkly tangible. I learned firsthand how historical distrust of public health authorities, language access barriers, and the overrepresentation of minority groups in essential worker roles magnified the toll of the pandemic. These realities deepened my understanding of structural inequities and strengthened my resolve to address them through advocacy and healthcare. Through the NYACP Advocacy Internship, I hope to make a broader impact by advocating for policies that improve the lives of patients and empower physicians to provide equitable care.

Program Experience

I’m incredibly grateful for my experience participating in the NYACP Steven Walerstein, MD, MACP Advocacy Internship. I gained a deeper appreciation for the barriers that may prevent physicians from engaging in advocacy and was introduced to political jargon, as well as the nuanced -- and sometimes difficult -- process of interpreting policy. I now see how this unfamiliar territory can make advocacy seem inaccessible to some physicians. However, this internship reinforced how invaluable physician expertise is in shaping healthcare policy. Our involvement is integral to making meaningful change and is highly valued by politicians. 

I learned about the many knowledgeable and passionate individuals working behind the scenes to improve healthcare policy every day. Before this experience, I didn’t fully grasp the role medical organizations play in driving change, but I now appreciate how they serve as powerful vehicles for improving healthcare on behalf of both doctors and patients. Their work is essential in advancing policies that directly impact clinical practice and patient care. 

I had the opportunity to participate in meetings on topics I am passionate about, including advance care planning. I joined the NYACP Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Task Force, which I’m excited to be part of moving forward. By working with these teams, I learned about a pressing issue in palliative care and am now contributing to efforts to have the Family Health Care Decisions Act (FHCDA) expanded to persons with developmental disabilities. This hands-on experience has reinforced my commitment to advocacy and provided me with the tools to continue engaging in policy efforts that will improve patient care.