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Name: Zoe Bouchelle, MD, MSHP
Title: Pediatrician and Chair of Inpatient Pediatrics at Denver Health
Education: BA in Economics, Penn State University MD, Harvard Medical School Master of Science in Health Policy Research, University of Pennsylvania
Company Description: Denver Health is a large safety-net hospital in downtown Denver that provides care to all members of the community, regardless of ability to pay.
Tell us more about your job.
I am a pediatrician who works in the hospital. I take care of children when they are sick enough to need to stay overnight, and I also care for newborn babies after they are born. I absolutely love my job. I work with incredible colleagues, and I feel lucky every day to take care of kids. Children are fun, resilient, and inspiring, and they remind me why I chose medicine.
Why is STEM important within your industry?
STEM is essential to medicine. We rely on science to understand how the human body works and how diseases affect it. Technology helps us run lab tests, take images like X-rays, and monitor patients safely. Math and data help us make decisions, improve care, and learn how to do better for patients in the future. Without STEM, modern medicine wouldn't be possible.
Was there a specific moment when you decided to pursue STEM as a career?
I was a latecomer to medicine. Growing up, I loved soccer, writing, and language, and I mistakenly believed that if you were creative, you didn't belong in science. I was wrong. As a young adult, my father--who was a surgeon--became ill and passed away. That experience sparked my curiosity about medicine and caring for people, and it ultimately led me back to school and eventually to medical school.
What do you like best about your job?
I love working with kids across all stages of childhood--from newborns to teenagers. That's a time of huge growth and change, and I feel grateful to help children and families navigate it, whether they're healthy or facing illness. Being part of such a formative period in someone's life is incredibly meaningful, and I believe caring for people when they're young can make a lifelong difference.
What are the most important skills needed in your job?
Understanding science is important, but it's only part of being a doctor. Teamwork is essential--we succeed because many people work together. Communication and writing matter too: every patient has a story, and we have to listen carefully to understand what's going on and solve the puzzle of what's making them sick. This job requires patience, curiosity, openness, and a willingness to keep learning. You never know everything--and that's okay.
Have there been times in your career when you faced difficult challenges? How did you overcome them?
Absolutely. One of my biggest challenges was deciding what type of doctor to become. I initially thought I wanted to be an OB/GYN and even interviewed for residency in that field. Late in the process, I realized I enjoyed caring for babies much more than delivering them. Thanks to supportive mentors who encouraged me to trust my instincts, I changed course and found my true home in pediatrics. I'm so grateful I followed my heart.
Are there hobbies, sports, or interests that have helped you excel in your career?
Soccer played a huge role in shaping who I am. I played throughout my childhood and into college, and it taught me teamwork, grit, perseverance, and how to handle both winning and losing. It also allowed me to travel, meet new people, and see the world differently. All of those lessons still help me today as a doctor and as a person.
What advice would you give to girls of all ages who are interested in STEM?
Don't be afraid to pursue it--and don't put yourself in a box. You don't have to be "just" an athlete, or an artist, or a writer, or a science person. You can be all of those things. Being curious, creative, and well-rounded will make you stronger in STEM and in life.
Any additional thoughts on why it's important to get more girls involved in STEM?
Girls and women are incredible, and STEM is better when they're part of it. Historically, there have been barriers that kept many girls out of these fields, but that's changing. The more diverse voices and perspectives we have in STEM, the better ideas we'll have--and the better the world will be in the long run.
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