Spotlight on Marshandra C. Cooper, MA, C-TAGME
This month, we’re thrilled to recognize Marshandra C. Cooper, MA, C-TAGME for an incredible 10 years of service at McGovern Medical School in the Department of Anesthesiology. Over the past decade, she has made a lasting impact through her dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our mission.
We sat down with Marshandra to reflect on the journey, the lessons learned, and the moments that made it all worthwhile.
What inspired you to join the Department of Anesthesiology 10 years ago? I was fresh out of Graduate School and looking for a job, and came across an opening for a Training Program Coordinator I in the Department of Anesthesiology. I attended the interview with Mrs. Jonetha, and before I left, she called me back to meet with Mrs. Theresa. I knew then I had the job. After about 2 months of working here, I was drawn to the culture and the opportunity to grow professionally. From day one, I felt like I was part of something meaningful.
How has your role evolved over the years? I began my career in Graduate Medical Education as a Training Program Coordinator I on August 24, 2015. After six months, our titles transitioned to Residency/Fellowship Program Coordinators. During this time, I was primarily responsible for managing the fellowship programs while also supporting the residency program through oversight of away rotations and assisting with recruitment and graduation activities. Three months after completing my first year, an unexpected coordinator departure provided me the opportunity to demonstrate my ability to lead the program. For approximately four months, I successfully balanced the responsibilities of both residency and fellowship programs until a temporary coordinator was hired, followed by a permanent team member. My leadership during this transitional period led to my promotion to Residency/Fellowship Program Coordinator II, where I naturally assumed a mentorship role for incoming staff. After two years of managing the residency and fellowship office with strategic insight and operational excellence, I was promoted to Senior Residency/Fellowship Program Coordinator. Over the next three years, I continued to grow as a GME administrator, developing into a more effective leader, advocate, and strategist within a dynamic and evolving healthcare education environment. My consistent dedication and collaborative engagement across departments and external institutions earned me a promotion to Program Manager. Following continued contributions in mentorship, advocacy, and program development aligned with the educational mission, I was promoted to Senior Program Manager. In this role, I continue to embrace new challenges and responsibilities to ensure the ongoing success of our residency and fellowship programs. It has been a truly rewarding journey marked by growth, resilience, and a deep commitment to excellence in graduate medical education.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out here? Understand the rhythm of the academic year, recruitment, onboarding, evaluations, graduation, and accreditation cycles. Your Program Director and fellow coordinators are your greatest allies. Don’t hesitate to ask questions. GME is a team sport, and collaboration is key. Use calendars, checklists, and project management tools to track deadlines and tasks. Flexibility and a calm demeanor will earn you trust and respect. You’re often the first line of support for trainees, listen, guide, and advocate, but don’t forget to advocate for your own professional development and well-being.
What’s a milestone or achievement that reflects your growth or values? In 2016-2017, I was honored with the GME Excellence Award, which recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions to residency and fellowship education. Remarkably, I received this award after completing just my first year as a program coordinator, an early testament to my passion and effectiveness in the role. In 2020, I was listed as a contributing author on an abstract presented at ASA titled, Graduate Medical Education (GME) Resident Anesthesiologist Evaluation Via Immediate Digital Entry (GRAIDE) Improves Resident Satisfaction With Clinical Faculty Evaluations. This work highlighted my active involvement in advancing GME innovation and enhancing the resident experience. In 2022, I became National Board Certified as a Training Administrator of Graduate Medical Education, known as C-TAGME. This is a nationally recognized certification that validates the expertise, professionalism, and leadership of individuals who manage residency and fellowship programs within accredited institutions. What makes these 3 accomplishments meaningful is that I am the first person in this department to achieve these distinctions, setting a precedent and paving the way for future excellence in GME administrators in our department.
What do you enjoy most about working with your team? The camaraderie. We genuinely support each other, and that makes even the toughest days easier. Whether it’s a quick check-in, a shared laugh, or stepping in to help without being asked, we show up for one another. That kind of connection makes all the difference. Huge thanks to the Best Residency Program Director, Dr. Travis Markham, for all the lunches, laughs, and unwavering support you give to the coordinators. You’re the real MVP. Your generosity and leadership make our workdays brighter and our team stronger. We see you and we appreciate you.
Is there a colleague or mentor who made a lasting impact on you? Absolutely—Mrs. Jonetha Davidson and Mrs. Theresa Le, whose mentorship and guidance were instrumental during my early years. Their encouragement and wisdom helped shape my growth and laid the foundation for my continued success in graduate medical education.
If you could sum up your experience in one word, what would it be—and why? Growth. Every year brought new opportunities and challenges, each one stretching me, teaching me, and shaping me into who I am today. From learning the ropes to leading with confidence, this journey has been a constant evolution and I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m excited to see what the next 10 years will bring.
Travis Markham, MD, Residency Program Director, has stated, “I would like to thank and recognize Marshandra Cooper (MCC as I like to call her) for being the consistent figure in the residency office over the last 10 years. She plays an invaluable role in managing one of the largest residencies in the nation while also supporting a multitude of fellows and balancing an incredibly busy medical student rotation volume. She is the behind-the-scenes MVP who allows our residency to function and excel daily. Additionally, her willingness to support Grand Rounds is an example of her doing whatever is needed to assist the Department of Anesthesiology. It has been my pleasure to work with Marshandra on a near-daily basis over these ten years. She truly is part of the foundation of success and a remarkable team player.”
Please join us in congratulating Marshandra Cooper on this incredible milestone. We’re grateful for the energy, heart, and excellence she brings to our organization every day.