In recognition of  Women’s History Month we are shining a spotlight on MSK team members who have paved the way not only to their leadership roles, but for others in healthcare and health tech.  

Learn more about these women, who exemplify the mission and core values of MSK each day.

Jacqueline Woods

Sr. Director, Infrastructure

Years at MSK: 22 years

Jacqueline is responsible for Technology Supports Services, which includes Desktop Technology (Field Services), Help Desk, OR Support, Conference Planning & Video Production, Deployments, MSK Operators, and Infrastructure Project Management.

 

Career Journey:

“My first job as an adult was with the City of New York, working in the Dept. of Finance. I had just turned 18 and was interviewed by the Deputy Commissioner of Legal Affairs. She told me upfront that she didn’t think she would hire me because I was young and young people were too unreliable and lazy (not something that you can or should ever say in today’s world, but this was the 80’s). I left feeling dejected. She called me the very next day and told me that she’d thought about it and had a change of heart. She took a chance on me and to this day, we remain in contact. That was 40 years ago!

In 1992, my department downsized and I went to a hiring pool and was chosen for an interview at CDCSA (now DoITT). The interview was conducted by by Patrick Carragee (who eventually became VP, Information Systems at MSK). The person that was supposed to conduct the interview was out sick that day. Patrick hired me and became my mentor. He left the CDCSA (now DoITT) in 1999 for MSK and I soon followed him.  I began my career with MSK as the Supervisor for the Networking team in September 2000. I worked with this group of amazing people for 4 years before moving to the Infrastructure Project Management team. There I worked as an IT Project Manager on large scale Facilities capital improvement projects and ended up being promoted to manage that team. My first project was working with Facilities Management on the decanting/demolition of the former Kettering Institute on 68th Street and building out the infrastructure and technology for the Mortimer Zuckerman Research building in that same footprint. That was an exciting and amazing project and one of the first of its kind! I’ve also led my team deploying infrastructure and technology for various new construction projects that include JRSC, Nassau, Bergen, Monmouth, Clinical Labs and The David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care.”

What would you like other people to know about working here? 

“I have been privileged to be a part of and witness MSK’s incredible growth, both in its brick-and-mortar footprint and in diversity/inclusion. When I began my career here, MSK’s services seemed coveted and not available to everyone. It was almost as if you were lucky to be treated here! I’ve watched that positively change over the years in our patient and workforce communities and it’s very refreshing! There has been a dramatic & welcome shift in MSK’s attention to equality and inclusion.”

What advice would you give to job candidates looking for a role within Technology Division/DigITs?

“Be willing and open to learning something new…whether that something comes from the CEO or from a tech in the field. Since things change so quickly in technology, be adaptable. Don’t get bogged down in the way things were done with your past employers and never say no to a learning opportunity. Technology is such a broad field. Candidates should know where they fit in. Is it the business side or the technology side, support or R&D, etc.? Determine which area you love and go for it!”

Federica Valsecchi

Project Management Lead, Immunotherapy

Years at MSK: 5 years

Making an impact in the world of cancer is what drives Federica every day. Born and raised in Brescia, Italy, Federica joined MSK in 2019 after serving as Postdoctoral Fellow at Weill Cornell Medicine. Before that, Federica received her Ph.D. in Mitochondrial Medicine in The Netherlands.  

 

Career Journey:

“As a postdoc at Weill Cornell Medicine, I have been always familiar with the amazing science done at MSK and the impact of cancer patients. As a founder of a pancreatic cancer foundation (Nadia Valsecchi Foundation, based in Italy), I closely followed the research done at MSK in this field. . Thanks to my previous project management experience, I decided to apply to an open position at the Office of Technology Development (OTD). I have been in the same department since then.”

What would you like other people to know about working here?

“I’m impressed about the level of science and technologies done within the hospital and the direct impact of scientific discoveries for our  patients. During my journey (and thanks to my foundation) I had the opportunity to work and visit many hospitals, from Italy, to The Netherland, to US. MSK is on another level!”

What advice would you give to job candidates looking for a role within Project Management?

“Helping a team of scientists to succeed means helping patients on their journey. Find what are you passionate about!”