Princeton University Athletics
Donnica Moore ’81 MD / Women’s Swimming (& First-Ever Water Polo Team)
City, State / Workplace / Title
Chester NJ/President, Sapphire Women's Health Group
Medical Specialty / Other Degrees (MBA/MPH, etc.)
MD (and recently received an Honorary DSc from SUNY)
What made you choose a career in healthcare?
I was one of those kids who felt a "calling" because of my own health challenges -- significant scoliosis at age 11. At the moment of prognosis, I remember thinking “this will make me a better doctor!" I decided to go into gynecology while at Princeton: there were very few women gyn's at the time. My thesis was on ("The Unnecessary Surgery Debate with Respect to Hysterectomy"). I was hooked!
What is the focus of your work today?
While I no longer practice medicine, the focus of my work remains women's health: women's health education, communications, advocacy and consulting. I serve on the Board of Directors of the American Medical Women's Association, and am founder and host of a podcast "In The Ladies' Room with Dr. Donnica."
How has your work changed in the face of COVID-19?
I am incredibly inspired by the passion of the next generation and their commitment to making the world a better place in every way that they can.Donnica Moore
While I'm doing far less travel and in-person meetings, it hasn't otherwise changed much! I refocused the podcast asking all of our guests about their COVID-19 experiences. I also became more acutely aware of and concerned about the impact of racial disparities and structural racism during the pandemic, so we made that an integral focus of many of our episodes and made an even greater effort to amplify diverse voices, especially from the medical community. I've also had the great pleasure of interviewing many Princeton alumnae (and 1 alumnus) for the podcast.
How did being a Princeton student-athlete prepare you for the challenges you’ve faced?
There is no way to be successful as a Princeton student athlete without learning discipline, time management, prioritization, self-care, focus, and organizational skills. You also have to learn to say "no" to a lot of very tempting but competing activities! These are critical life skills for any kind of professional challenges (e.g. medical school and residency) or personal challenges.
What keeps you inspired as you look ahead?
I am fortunate to be a mother of two young adults (one of whom is a Princeton alum) who are energetically embarking on their own successful lives outside of my nest. They are fabulous people and have equally fabulous friends. I am incredibly inspired by the passion of the next generation and their commitment to making the world a better place in every way that they can.
Medical School / Other Affiliations
Jacob's School of Medicine (SUNY Buffalo)
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