Paving the Way for Residents & New Grads at the Negotiating Table: How Dr. Tawana Coates Advocated for Herself as a Third-Year Resident

Contrary to what new grads are told constantly, it’s never too early in your career to want a contract that reflects your value and actually advocate for it.

You don’t have to be an attending to make a list of must-haves, evaluate employers on a deeper level and start having these conversations early. 

In today’s episode, I’m joined by a doctor who has done a beautiful job of setting herself up to success while she was a third-year resident.

How do we overcome the limiting belief that residents can’t advocate for a great contract that ticks as many boxes as possible for them? 

In this episode, Ob-Gyn Resident, author, speaker and mentor, Dr. Tawana Coates shares how she approached her contract negotiations, and we talk about how she’s paving the way for fellow residents to get the package they want. 

Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode 

- The one prevailing mindset that holds residents back

How do we overcome the limiting belief that new grads have nothing to offer and shouldn’t advocate for themselves the same way their 30-year experienced counterparts do? 

- Why advocating for ourselves is so critical 

How can we use the negotiation process to make medicine better for patients and every single physician? 

- What negotiations reveal about potential employers 

The negotiating process is very telling of how the other party would show up as an employer. What are some of the indicators that an organization will always treat us with respect?

Guest Bio 

Tawana Coates MD, MPH, is the current chief OBGYN resident at the University of Louisville in Louisville, KY. She is from Kansas City, Kansas, where she completed all of her education, including Bachelor in Science, after double majoring in biology and mathematics while also receiving a minor in chemistry. Tawana also attended the University of Kansas School of Medicine where she completed the 5 year MD/MPH program.Dr. Coates interests include advocating for women's rights, reducing black maternal mortality, family planning, teen pregnancy, and qualitative research to name just a few. During her free time, she loves dancing and watching Chiefs football games with her 10-year-old daughter and husband.

Follow & connect with Tawana at @drmedschool.