Humans of LMP: Paula Nixon

Each month we speak to a member of the Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology community and find out more about them as part of an initiative from our Wellness, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee (WIDE).

This month we feature Postgraduate Education Officer, Paula Nixon.

Visit the Humans of LMP page to read more stories and nominate yourself or others to be featured.

How long have you been at LMP and what does your role involve?

I have been the Education Coordinator of Postgraduate Programs in LMP for over 12 years. I help coordinate all aspects of our residency programs, post-doctoral training programs and clinical fellowship program.

What led you to pursue your current career path? 

I was an administrative assistant in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Mount Sinai prior to moving over to LMP. I assisted the site director with the incoming residents and fellows. Moving over to my current position in LMP was logical move for me to continue working within the postgraduate educational programs offered in laboratory medicine.

What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

I am proud of my involvement in the implementation of Competence by Design (CBD) across all residency programs. My biggest achievement in implementing CBD is how I’ve managed to keep all programs on track and that they’ve met our PGME’s deadlines. I’ve worked very hard to keep organized and maintain good working relationships with my Program Directors and the PGME office.

Paula received the Dan Stojimirovic Career Achievement Award for this work.

What was the best career advice you ever received?

Do something you love to do.

What has been an important learning experience in your life?  

Don’t sweat the small stuff (although I don’t always put this into practice!).

Who is an influential person in your life and why? 

My grandmother is the most influential person in my life. She lost her hearing after receiving antibiotics for a ruptured appendix in the 1950’s. She became profoundly deaf and taught herself how to read lips from watching soap operas on TV. Her ability to overcome difficult life events was a great example to me and helped me build my own resilience.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I’m actually shy.

What activities do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I enjoy travelling, lying on a beach and spending time with my husband and puppy, Reggie.

What is your favourite album, film and novel? 

Album – The Joshua Tree

Movie – Breakfast at Tiffany's

Novel – Cutting for Stone, Abraham Verhese

Who would be your dream dinner guests? 

Henry VIII’s six wives.

Where/what is your favourite place? 

Roatan Island.

If you were stuck on a deserted island but had all your basic needs taken care of (i.e. food and water), what two items would you bring with you and why?

Reggie and a beach lounger.