Princeton University Athletics
Liza Hartofilis (Hillenbrand) '04 MD / Women's Lacrosse
City, State / Workplace/Title
New York, NY / NewYork-Presbyterian - Columbia & Cornell / Chief Emergency Medicine Resident
Medical Specialty / Other Degrees (MBA/MPH, etc.)
Emergency Medicine / MD
What made you choose a career in healthcare?
I always knew I wanted to be a doctor, having grown up watching my grandfather save lives as a general surgeon. But after graduating, I worked for seven years in investment banking, volunteering as an EMT and did a Princeton-in-Africa fellowship in South Africa working in public health, before I was ready and confident to take on the responsibility and privilege of caring for people in their times of greatest need.
What is the focus of your work today?
As we emerge from the pandemic, my focus is on honing my clinical skills as I near residency graduation and become an emergency medicine attending, providing patients with the best care possible and helping junior residents develop . It has been the ultimate challenge but also the ultimate privilege being a part of this team and doing the best we can to help people. I’ll be staying at Columbia Presbyterian and NYP Lawrence and look forward to continuing to serve their patient populations.
How has your work changed in the face of COVID-19?
I became a Chief Resident a week before New York [COVID] shutdown last March for 2 large emergency departments in the original epicenter of the US pandemic in NYC. I did my best to help our patients and program of 48 residents survive, navigate, and overcome the pandemic.Liza Hartofilis (Hillenbrand)
I'll never forget the day when the typical urban ED patient population of heart attacks, strokes, traumas, etc. was replaced by a flood of hypoxic patients. We heartbreakingly helped loved ones say goodbye over video chats and from ambulance bays, held patients’ hands to offer what little comfort we could before placing them in medically induced comas and intubating them knowing far too many of them would not wake up again. We worried if the PPE was going to protect us and if we’d have enough. I reused my N95s for over a week at a time and read voraciously regarding the efficacy of N95s against coronavirus. We watched colleagues fall ill and some pass away. I sent my husband, Sean Hartofilis '03 and former lacrosse player, and our 2 small sons away for 6 weeks to keep them safe from my exposures. I wondered if that would be the last time I saw them. We all suffered personal losses and made sacrifices but took solace in one another and worked as a team to care for our patients as best we could.
How did being a Princeton student-athlete prepare you for the challenges you’ve faced?
Princeton Lacrosse instilled in me strength, determination, perseverance, and teamwork... traits at the core of what got me through this past year. It also gave me the gift of amazing friendship. I'm honored to call my teammates --wonderful, badass women --my closest friends who have supported me through what has been the hardest year of my life.
What keeps you inspired as you look ahead?
I’m lucky to have found my calling and am grateful everyday my dreams of becoming an emergency medicine doctor and a mom have come true. The unwavering support from my husband as I made this huge career change over the past 9 years leaves me in awe and the grounding force of my amazing, silly, and sweet kids, Finn (5) and Roan (3), inspires me every day.
Medical School / Other Affiliations
SUNY Downstate / AOA
Tiger Heroes
In partnership with RWJBarnabas Health, the official health care system of Princeton Athletics, “Tiger Heroes” honors front line workers and health care leaders from our alumni community. This digital and social series highlights alumni from all 37 varsity sports programs who have risen to the challenge since the onset of COVID-19. We also recognize special Princeton friends and family. Nominations may be sent to Jess Deutsch, Princeton's Associate Director, Student-Athlete Services: jdeutsch@princeton.edu