October 4, 2023
by Alexa Tomassi
Yale School of Nursing part-time lecturer Lauren K. Flagg, DNP, CPNP-AC, APRN was recently profiled for the Women in Medicine Month series.
What section are you a member of?
Pediatric Critical Care, Lecturer, Yale School of Nursing, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner- Acute Care specialty track.
What is your favorite part of being a doctor/healthcare worker/researcher?
I love that I am challenged daily and continuously learning. I cannot imagine ever being bored in my role!
Who or what motivates you in your work now?
While PICU can be incredibly stressful, I feel like it is also incredibly rewarding. I meet patients and their families on what is often their worst day, and I have an opportunity to both help a child medically and hopefully make the entire experience less traumatic. Also, through quality improvement and clinical research, I can participate in optimizing the care we deliver, and be a part of practice change.
Did you have a mentor that made an impact on you? What would you like to share about them?
The program director for my MSN program has provided ongoing mentorship for over a decade. It was because of her encouragement (and insistence) that I went back for my DNP and focused on education. Her passion for sharing knowledge and supporting learners changed the trajectory of my career!
Do you have any advice for other women in medicine or those who might be interested in becoming a woman in medicine?
I have been a working mother through every degree I have obtained, and at every step, I have found support and mentorship from other women in healthcare. Over the years, I have been able to do the same for many other women- whether they are nurses, pharmacists, APPs, or physicians. I think it is important for all of us to remember that supporting each other helps everyone reach higher.
What’s the last book you read?
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
What/where is your favorite CT restaurant?
Our family loves to cook and find new restaurants. Right now, a favorite is Otto Pizza in Chester, CT followed by ice cream at Honey Cone.
What’s your favorite snack or treat?
Anything peanut butter!
What’s the one item you can’t live without?
Coffee
This piece was originally published on medicine.yale.edu.