ACLS Instructor Highlight: Jenny Chen, MD

As a Naval-trained physician, Dr. Chen has gained a global perspective through her extensive travels. Her passion for learning medicine, physician self-care, and training other healthcare professionals in critical life-saving skills sets her apart as a leader and mentor in the medical community. Learn more about Dr. Chen’s honorable and rewarding career in medicine and as a valuable instructor for ACLS Academy.

Medical Career Experience & Current Employment: 

Emergency Medicine Physician, Winchester Hospital, Winchester, MA, and Holy Family Hospital, Methuen, MA 

Veteran, US Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery

Education: 
Boston University

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Medical School:

Boston University School of Medicine (MD)

Internship and Residency: 

Naval Medical Center, San Diego

What led you to join the Navy? During my undergraduate studies, I was looking for funding resources for my education, and I met a senior chief at the Armed Forces recruitment office. He had been in the military for 30 years and still had an amazing passion for his career. He talked about his experiences traveling worldwide with various deployments and opportunities. The idea of traveling while being a physician and serving in the Navy fascinated me and led me to choose this path. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience as it exposed me to new opportunities and challenges I could not have imagined. Ultimately, I left the military to return to Boston and be closer to family.

What were some of the highlights during your eight years of service?  From a travel perspective, I spent three years stationed at the United States Naval Hospital Okinawa (USNHO) in Japan. As the largest U.S. Naval Hospital outside the United States, USNHO hosts many physicians and nurses providing comprehensive medical services. It also serves as the referral center for U.S. military personnel in the Western Pacific. While at USNHO, I had the rewarding experience of serving as the Program Director for Japanese interns. This role allowed me to connect with the local Japanese medical community and combine my teaching and clinical practice interests. Another highlight was completing a medical rotation in Guam. I thoroughly enjoyed living in and experiencing the diverse cultures of these WestPac countries. 

How has your military background impacted your approach as an Emergency Room doctor?

A military saying called the “Six Ps” is “Prior Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.” My training in the Navy ingrained in me the necessity of preparing ahead of time and anticipating what you can plan for while recognizing there will be situations where you cannot. Consistently practicing in advance is beneficial when those unexpected situations arise. Granted, some scenarios can't be anticipated, but knowing you've done your best to prepare provides peace of mind and confidence.

You are a Member of the Physician Coaching Alliance and Physician Coach Support, which helps physicians and medical professionals overcome burnout and find more joy and fulfillment at work and at home. Tell us more about your involvement with this organization.  

I've sought support in my career from physician coaching organizations, and I found the experience so beneficial that I became a certified life coach in 2022. These organizations allow physicians and healthcare professionals to connect with fellow coaches, focusing on career fulfillment and combating burnout. My interest in research on chronic workplace stress, particularly in healthcare, centers around Dr. Christina Maslach’s work on burnout. This condition, marked by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, arises from systemic issues within healthcare settings akin to the inherent dangers in a coal mine. The pandemic has only exacerbated these stressors, making coaching an invaluable resource for helping healthcare professionals navigate this challenging environment. These coaching organizations play an incredible role in supporting medical professionals, ensuring they can maintain their well-being and sustain a fulfilling 30-year career.

Why ACLS Academy?  During my medical training, I became an ACLS, PALS, and ATLS instructor early in my career. As I was exiting the military and relocating to Boston, I knew I wanted to continue teaching. I connected with Shelley and became an instructor at ACLS Academy in 2016. Chad and Shelley are special people who contribute so much to their local community. Our values were aligned, and working with ACLS Academy as an instructor is a great way to continue teaching while being clinical. I love Shelley’s story behind the founding of the ACLS Academy and its desire to train more people in life-saving skills. Empowering all healthcare workers to upgrade their critical care skills is a great mission.

What courses do you teach at ACLS Academy?  I teach PALS and ACLS certification skills training, including the associated adult and pediatric codes. In the Emergency Room, I specialize in high-risk, low-volume codes that are infrequently practiced but carry significant risk due to their complexity. Successfully handling these situations requires thorough preparation and regularly refreshed skills. Our training sessions provide a safe environment to break down critical steps, ensuring students feel confident in their competency, even for infrequent ACLS scenarios.

Training Secret Sauce: I genuinely want the students to succeed, driven both by my passion for patient care and the importance of them mastering these skills for their future work. I believe in actively listening to understand their thought process, identifying any hurdles they face, and then course-correcting to ensure they master the skills. 

My experience as a physician coach also adds another dimension to my abilities as an instructor. There is the knowledge and skills you obtain from a textbook perspective, yet the mindset component as a team member, getting out of the fight-or-flight response and taking action in a critical situation, is so important. It’s not just having the “right” answer but leading the team through a challenging high–stress event.

What advice would you give aspiring healthcare professionals beginning their careers? Working in healthcare is incredibly rewarding and challenging—emotionally, mentally, and physically. The hours are long, and breaks are infrequent, so it's essential to understand the reality of this profession. It's crucial to consider the sustainability and longevity of your career. Regularly check in with yourself to mitigate burnout. Be aware of the signs, ensure you get adequate rest, find ways to recharge, and don't hesitate to ask for support. Ironically, healthcare workers often neglect their well-being. There’s a reason airlines remind us on every flight to put on our oxygen masks first before helping others. Staying healthy is key to effectively caring for others. Keep reconnecting with why you chose to go into healthcare in the first place. A big thank you to all healthcare workers—you make a huge impact and save lives every day.

Family Life: I am a married mom with two children in the 3rd and 5th grades.

Favorite things outside of work? Family, travel, reading, running, getting outside for physical activity.

What's one destination you've visited that left a lasting impact on you, and why? The Peace Memorial Museum in Okinawa. Situated on the coast, it was established as a tribute to the Battle of Okinawa in WWII, commemorating the military and civilian lives lost.  It brings perspective on why we are here and what we can learn from this tragedy. The seriousness behind the memorial’s establishment, contrasted by the breathtaking, serene location, illustrates the balancing of the bittersweetness of life and death and the beauty of this world.

My favorite book genre? Growing up, I always enjoyed novels and good mystery stories. Now, my interests lie in nonfiction. I enjoy learning, so these days, I can usually be found reading psychology, finance, or an uplifting social scientist like Brene Brown.

Digital books or hard copy? I prefer hard copy. It’s nice to curl up with a good physical book after a long day.

Your happy place? Home. I love being home with my family, enjoying good times and laughs.