Despina graduated from the Elms College in Chicopee, MA. She was employed by Baystate Medical Center for 8 years, working as a clinical research assistant for the Department of OB/GYN. She was promoted to OB/GYN clinical research coordinator and then advanced to clinical trials manager for the Department of Hematology/Oncology. In 2006, she entered the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Maine. Despina always knew she loved the sciences, interacting with people and helping others and during one of her rotations she realized she wanted to be an Internal Medicine doctor.  Throughout her career, she has co-authored nine peer reviewed journal articles, three textbook chapters and has published 14 abstracts. She has served in many leaderships roles and has a long and dedicated history as a volunteer.  Despina’s interests include cooking, music, traveling and dance.