Dr. Gabriel Pontipiedra, DO
Chief Resident, PGY3 Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore
Can you tell us a little about yourself and what brought you to preventive medicine?
I am a current PGY-3 in preventive medicine and Chief Resident at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. I began in pediatrics but realized I wanted to address the root causes of illness, not just treat symptoms. That led me to Dr. Tisha Titus, who introduced me to preventive medicine. She introduced me to preventive medicine and helped strengthen my application, ultimately helping me match at my program. Since then, I’ve been passionate about preventing chronic disease and improving health outcomes for underserved populations through policy.
Why did you pursue ACPM’s rotation program, and what have you gained from the experience?
I’ve always been deeply interested in healthcare policy, and I saw ACPM’s rotation as the perfect avenue to engage more directly with the process. Now more than ever, science and evidence-based decision-making are essential, and I think that we as medical experts must actively work to ensure that they remain central to government and policy rather than sidelined. It has been an incredible experience to be close to where the important conversations and decisions are being made. I am not just observing from a distance but actively engaging in the dialogue in meaningful ways, and for the first time I’ve felt that I am making a direct impact on shaping discussions and influencing outcomes, far more than I have ever had the opportunity to do before. This rotation reinforced how preventive medicine is uniquely positioned to inform and influence policy that impacts both clinical practice and community health and how it is needed now more than ever.
Perhaps most surprisingly, the experience has given me a renewed sense of hope. Even during challenges and polarization, I’ve seen how thoughtful leadership, collaboration and persistence can lead to real progress. It reminded me that preventive medicine physicians can not only respond to crises but also help build systems that prevent them. These hopeful and motivating lessons are something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my career.
What motivates you in this work?
What motivates me is making a difference and truly improving the lives of people. I think preventive medicine allows you to do that on a scale far greater than other fields because it looks beyond the individual patient encounter to entire communities, populations and even to future generations. I am driven by the idea that the work we do today, whether it be in shaping policy, designing programs or advancing science, can prevent illness before it begins and reduce suffering on a broad scale for generations to come. There is also great fulfillment for me in knowing that preventive medicine connects clinical care with public health, bridging gaps that too often leave patients and communities behind.
What skills are most important for success in preventive medicine?
Success in preventive medicine requires flexibility and adaptability, as the field is broad and ever-changing. Advocacy is key: communicating its value to patients, communities and policymakers. Systems thinking is also essential: addressing health issues at the population level, not just individually. Equally important are skills in leadership and collaboration, since preventive medicine often requires working across different sectors and disciplines.
What do you enjoy outside of medicine?
I love traveling, powerlifting and find and all things food-related. Recently though, I had the chance to present a lecture on global health and preventive medicine through ACPM alongside some incredible leaders from around the world as part of a webinar called Preventive Medicine on the Global Stage: Bridging Borders and Lessons in Leadership, and it was really such a great conversation. I joined preventive medicine leaders in the field sharing valuable lessons about topics they are passionate about, and a recording of the webinar, which awards 1 CME credit, is available here.
