Bridget R. Durkin, MD, MBE

Bridget graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude in Classics from Princeton University in 2007 with a Certificate in Theater. Her senior thesis explored the origins of apocryphal early Christian texts. Among her college activities, Bridget worked as a Computer Science Research Assistant and pioneered an arts program for special-needs children. After college, Bridget worked for six years in New York City where she advanced from Market Strategist to Director of Licensing Operations at a brand strategy firm. She then joined American Express as Global Supply Manager of Digital Marketing. Bridget volunteered as the Executive Director for Extant Arts Theater Company where she directed and produced plays, including summer Shakespeare in Central Park. She explored her interests in medicine at Columbia Presbyterian as a volunteer in the pediatric ED and as a standardized patient. She also served as a consultant for the non-profit Malaria No More. Bridget returned to school in 2013 for a post baccalaureate at Bryn Mawr where she conducted research in the Cognition and Aging Lab.

In addition to her M.D., Bridget is pursuing a Masters in Bioethics. Bridget’s interest in medical education led her to collaborate with the faculty course director to restructure the humanities curriculum for first-year students. Bridget has also worked with the Admissions Department to interview applicants and recruit second-career students. She has been selected to the Student Committee to interview Senior Vice Dean of Education candidates. As a volunteer at Covenant House, a shelter for homeless teens, she has taught yoga and writing, and assisted in the medical clinic. Bridget studied Medical Spanish in Nicaragua where she also educated rural women about cervical cancer. Bridget remains active in the arts. At Penn, she leads monthly writing sessions and directs for the annual student sketch-comedy show. She is researching comparative patient and physician experiences with death for a Bioethics performance thesis titled Ars Moriendi.