National Organization Recognizes Stritch Educators

AAMC honors Drs. Mary C. Boyle and Theresa Kristopaitis

October 25, 2021

“It is important for the next generation to see women recognized as potential role models so that they can make a leap forward and see what is possible for them as well,” said Mary C. Boyle, MD, assistant dean for clinical formation, course director, patient centered medicine 2, and associate professor of Emergency Medicine, Stritch School of Medicine.

Boyle, along with her colleague Theresa Kristopaitis, MD, were among 6 women educators recognized by the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) during September’s Women in Medicine Month, when it honored women in physician, scientist, educator, and leadership roles.

Reflecting on her career at Loyola, Boyle said that her Department (Emergency Medicine, chaired by Mark Cichon, MD) has been a great and very supportive place.

“Women have a strong presence in Emergency Medicine at Loyola,” said Boyle.

“We need to recognize that women have the capacity to be outstanding in sharing their knowledge and skills, in research, and in leadership, even as they are present accompanying their patients through their illnesses.”

Boyle is a self-described Loyola “lifer.” She earned her undergraduate degree and her doctor of medicine degree at Loyola and joined the faculty on the hospital side in 1984. In 2002, she began teaching the clinical skills course.

“It is a humbling experience to receive this recognition,” said Boyle. “There are so many women doing great work – it’s nice to have the spotlight on women,” she said.

For Kristopaitis, associate dean for Curricular Integration, Central Curricular Authority chair, course director for Mechanism of Human Disease, and professor of Medicine at Stritch, every opportunity that has been available to her has not been based on gender.

“I haven’t felt any different than my male counterparts,” she said. Nationally, while there is data that shows workplace disparities between men and women, Kristopaitis said she has not experienced those disparities working at Stritch and for that, she is grateful.

Kristopaitis attended medical school at University of Illinois at Chicago and completed her residencies in Medicine and Pathology at Loyola where she experienced its community culture.

What words of advice does this leader in medical education offer to female students at Stritch? “If a door opens, go through it – even if it’s not the perfect one,” said Kristopaitis. Keep on going through those doors and yet be careful so that you don’t say ‘yes’ to everything,” she said.

While Kristopaitis appreciates the recognition, her reward every day is students understanding a concept or a specific skill.

“Medicine is a wonderful profession because there are so many opportunities and it’s a gift to do what I do every day,” said Kristopaitis.

And what is this medical educator’s advice to students? “Do what you love to do,” she said. “Do it because you want to do it, not because someone is telling you to do it. Above all, do what’s right for yourself, your patients, and your students.”

Read more about Women in Medicine month.