- Title/Role: Michelle Regal Ludowieg, MD, OB/GYN Resident Physician
- PGY: PGY-3
- Program/Location: Obstetrics & Gynecology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center / Georgetown University Hospital
What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare?
I didn’t grow up with a dramatic origin story—I was just always fascinated by how the human body works and drawn to work that mattered. Medicine gave me both. Being from Peru shaped the way I see healthcare—the challenges, the disparities, and the importance of showing up for patients. Medicine became a way for me to contribute meaningfully, and OB/GYN felt like the right place to do that. I wanted a career where I could think critically, act decisively, and make a real difference in someone’s life on an ordinary Tuesday. That’s what pulled me in.
Describe what your daily life is like as a resident.
Controlled chaos. Every day is a mix of surgery, deliveries, triage, emergencies, teaching, team huddles, and trying to remember where I put my coffee. It’s fast, it’s unpredictable, and there’s a surge of adrenaline that I genuinely love and crave. The pace keeps me sharp and the learning never stops.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love that OB/GYN is both technically demanding and deeply human. I can be in the OR solving a surgical problem and then an hour later be supporting someone through labor or counseling a patient. That mix—using your hands, your judgment, and your empathy—is what makes this specialty so satisfying.
What ways do you prioritize your wellbeing and/or help your colleagues do the same?
I prioritize movement—running, swimming, or even a short walk between shifts. And honestly, sometimes wellbeing just means going home, eating real food, and getting enough sleep to function. With colleagues, it’s the small things: checking in, covering a page so someone can grab coffee, or sharing a quick laugh on a tough day.
What do you envision for the future of medicine in the United States? How do you see yourself in that future?
I envision a future where women’s health is taken seriously at every level — from access to contraception to safe maternity care to preventive gynecology. We’re still facing huge disparities in maternal outcomes in the U.S., and I want to be part of the generation that changes that. As an OB/GYN, I see myself improving patient experiences, advocating for safer systems, and helping make high-quality reproductive care available to every patient, not just the ones who already have access.
