May 13, 2002

Seven years ago, Janice Hartnett made a decision that altered her life's course. She left a highly successful business career at Hewlett Packard in New York City to pursue a goal she had once left behind - to become a physician.

Janice Hartnett finds business skills valuable in the medical profession. Photo by Peter Morenus

The two may seem very different, but actually share important similarities, she says. "Customer satisfaction is always a top priority in business. I use this basic principle to develop caring relationships with my patients. After 10 years in the business world, I found the communication- and people-skills I had developed to apply equally well to the medical profession. It's easy for me to talk with patients. I've been through many of the experiences my patients have, and I usually can relate to what they tell me," she says.

Janice makes time for volunteer work at the South Park Inn Shelter Clinic, the YWCA Girls Adolescent Clinic, and elsewhere, and is a member of many committees and organizations. Time for family and friends is "a priority", as is "quiet time." She also enjoys rollerblading and skiing.

Hartnett earned her undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Connecticut in 1986, and a master's in business administration from Adelphi University in New York. She participated in premedical programs at Columbia University in New York City and at UConn in Storrs, before attending the UConn medical school.

She has chosen obstetrics and gynecology as her specialty, and plans to pursue a career in academic medicine. Selected by her mostly younger fellow-graduates, she is honored to represent this year's medical school graduating class as a speaker at commencement. "Age has not been an issue," she says. "I may bring more life experience, but professionally, we're all in the same place."