Princeton University Athletics
Jack Berger ‘14 MD / Men's Hockey
City, State / Workplace / Title
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania / University of Pennsylvania Health System / Resident Physician in the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care
Medical Specialty / Other Degrees (MBA/MPH, etc.)
Anesthesiology
What made you choose a career in healthcare?
I wanted to help people in a way that aligned with my skills and interests. Being a doctor provided the opportunity to serve my community as a leader and healer in a dynamic and rewarding environment while building relationships with both patients and colleagues.
What is the focus of your work today?
Clinical practice is my primary focus at this time as I complete my residency training. Longer term, I aspire to pursue additional roles in healthcare systems, operations, and management. This passion began during my time as an Economics major at Princeton, and I have pursued various experiences to build skills and expertise in the economics and business of medicine throughout my clinical training.
How has your work changed in the face of COVID-19?
I believe that if we commit ourselves to lifting each other up, the future will be brighter than the past. COVID-19, while utterly tragic, has also provided many such inspirational stories of human perseverance.Jack Berger
In a practical and immediate sense, COVID-19 has radically shifted our focus toward acute and short-term care delivery and health management with an all-hands-on-deck approach. I hope that this pandemic will also inspire longer-term, fundamental shifts in our approach to health care delivery as we rethink population health goals and crisis preparedness.
How did being a Princeton student-athlete prepare you for the challenges you’ve faced?
As a Princeton student-athlete, I had countless opportunities to hone skills in resilience, emotional intelligence, leadership, teamwork, communication, discipline, and more. Balancing athletic demands alongside my commitment to academic success deeply ingrained these abilities. Furthermore, the experience allowed me to develop close relationships with many incredibly talented and successful role models in the student-athlete network. More broadly, being a part of the Princeton community enabled me to enhance my worldviews, intellectual capacity, and character. These experiences and associated opportunities have proved truly invaluable time and time again and I’m deeply grateful to be a part of the Princeton student-athlete community.
What keeps you inspired as you look ahead?
I am inspired most by the people around me — family, friends, colleagues, and strangers. Despite all of our foibles and flaws, both individually and collectively, there are so many daily examples of kindness, compassion, sacrifice, and resilience. I believe that if we commit ourselves to lifting each other up, the future will be brighter than the past. COVID-19, while utterly tragic, has also provided many such inspirational stories of human perseverance.
Medical School / Other Affiliations
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons; Boston Consulting Group (BCG); Pfizer, Inc.
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