Fellow Spotlight: Colette DeJong, MD

Colette DeJong, MD, grew up in Urbana, Ill., and earned her bachelor’s degree in development studies from Brown University. She completed her medical degree, internal medicine residency and chief residency at UCSF.

In 2016 she published a study in JAMA Internal Medicine showing an association between physicians receiving industry-sponsored meals and prescribing brand-name medications instead of equally effective generic alternatives. “Medicare patients may pay $100 or more per month for some brand-name medications, with no evidence of benefit compared to generic alternatives with a $2 monthly copay,” said Dr. DeJong. Her research was highlighted in the New York Times, Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal.

As a resident, she served as a JAMA Internal Medicine editorial fellow, working with editor-in-chief and UCSF cardiologist Rita Redberg, MD, MSc. “I learned so much about research, study design, and what constitutes a good research question,” said Dr. DeJong.

One fellowship highlight has been working in the cardiac catheterization lab. “I’m building practical skills, and it’s a thrill to see a problem get fixed in front of your eyes after a short procedure,” said Dr. DeJong. She plans to pursue a career that combines clinical care, teaching and research focused on quality and access to care.

Dr. DeJong is an avid surfer, and recently married Laura Williams, a senior product manager at iRhythm Technologies.