Mirrors: Danielle Rigau, Radiology Resident at NYU
The AdaMarie Mirrors reflect back to us the many roads (often winding, never smooth) to success! Real stories of real women to see yourself reflected in. At first, you’ll see Danielle in this mirror, but eventually, we hope you’ll see yourself.
Welcome, Danielle Rigau!
In between 24-hour shifts, NYU Radiology Resident Danielle Rigau finds balance by leaning on friends, prioritizing her hobbies and slaying the streets of NYC.
Getting to Know You:
Field of Work: Medicine
Your STEM letter: S
Expertise In: Radiology
Current Company: NYU Langone Health
Job Title: Resident Physician
One-liner about what you’re working on: I'm currently in my internal medicine preliminary year and will pursue residency in Diagnostic Radiology.
Currently geeking out over: Adopting a cat!
STEM hero (alive or dead!): My research mentor in college, Anna Antar.
Tell us about your professional journey – how did you get where you are now?
I've just started my first year of residency in New York City. I graduated from Johns Hopkins in 2019 with my degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology. During my time in college, I spent many years working in an Infectious Disease clinic at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Additionally, I worked as a research assistant in a laboratory conducting HIV cure research. Following my undergraduate studies, I spent an additional year in Baltimore working as a research coordinator. In 2020, I began medical school at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Throughout medical school, I fell in love with Diagnositc Radiology and assisted with studies investigating mammography and imaging of the adrenal glands. I graduated from the Accelerated Three Year Medical Degree program at NYU this past May. Medicine is a challenging and amazing field, and I have learned so much from these first few months of being a physician in New York.
We’re also curious to know your personal story and upbringing. What has made you “you”?
I'm originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania (one of the GREATEST places on earth). Growing up, I always had a strong interest in visual arts, math and science. I attended a quaker grade school, and this early experience instilled in me the importance of simplicity, equality and integrity. Throughout my childhood, I also practiced Tae Kwon Do due to a love of Kim Possible (I am a national champion, literally not joking. My mom has all the pictures framed in her basement, what a slay for me). Tae Kwon Do taught me the values of teamwork, self-confidence and respect. I also attended Johns Hopkins for college, where I truly fell in love with medicine and biology by pursuing research and volunteer opportunities at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
We know that real life isn’t a smooth and linear journey. What was your initiating moment that led you to your calling - can you tell us about that moment, what helped you move forward, what you learned/discovered?
There was no particular moment that lead me to medicine. However, like many individuals called to medicine, I have been exposed to the world of illness and healing from a young age.
“Every woman in my family has suffered from either breast or ovarian cancer, meaning, as a child, I spent many days in hospital rooms, witnessing the power physicians wield as healers. I have always been impressed by how physicians translate their knowledge of physiology into genuine relationships with their patients.”
You’re a working woman in a performance-driven industry. Where do you find balance?
Medicine is a rewarding but highly stressful, often overwhelming practice. Throughout my years of training, I have prioritized forming strong bongs with my colleagues and in the difficult moments, I find myself leaning on the friendships I've formed with women in my field. I also make sure to maintain bonds with friends from college and my childhood and can often be found living it up on the streets of NYC and electric Bucks County. Additionally, I make time to maintain my hobbies like drawing, playing the piano, and sewing. It's not easy to find balance, but with practice, I've found ways to schedule the necessary time to relax, unwind, and have fun!
If you were a part of the human body, what would you be?
Not a body part per-se, but I'd definitely a T-cell; adaptable and ready to help!
We’d love to feature your work! How can we spread the word about what you’re doing? Some examples you might want to share:
Company I’ve started: Puko Pet Portraits, hand-drawn with love and colored pencil in NYC! DM me on instragram @pukopets for custom requests :)