Meet Dr. Lyba Naseer – Memphian, PGY-2 internal medicine resident, and proud cat mom. Here, she shares her path to UMMC and what has made it memorable thus far.
Tell us about you.
I was born and raised in Memphis, TN. I went to Rhodes College for undergrad and University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine for medical school. I did my medical school rotations in Memphis and Nashville. During medical school, I got married to my husband, Zain. I have a younger sister who everyone thinks is my twin, and a family cat named Leo who I miss very much!
Why did you choose UMMC for residency?
I chose UMMC for residency because I wanted to experience living in a new state, while being at a program that would have a positive and collegial work environment and provide me with rigorous training. UMMC has given me just that and more. I am impressed by the extent to which patients travel from all over the state of Mississippi to UMMC to receive care from us, and I am honored to be a part of these patients’ lives. Our faculty and co-residents create such a welcoming and comforting environment, and I have made such great friends that I feel right at home in Jackson!
Tell us about a memorable experience from training.
The Cyberattack of February 2026 will always be a memorable experience for me. At that time, I was on House, and our team was on long call. At first, we were all in shock but thought things would resolve in a few hours…until they didn’t, and we were scrambling to get physical sheets of paper for orders, notes, and med recs. I remember handwriting orders on the pink “Doctor’s Orders” sheet for the first time. The hustle and bustle of the hospital still carried on. On this first day of the blackout, one of our patients unfortunately coded, but we fortunately achieved ROSC. I remember writing the Code Documentation by hand. It all felt so surreal, like we were in a movie. Over the next few days, our team developed a routine, walking to each floor of the hospital to check patients’ physical charts and only ordering labs and imaging that were truly needed. In the end, there was good that came from this unexpected situation. It helped many of us bond, from our team of residents, medical students, and attending to the nursing and ancillary staff whom we spoke with face to face, all with the shared goal of providing the best care to our patients under the constraints and limited resources we had.
What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
I could give a 40-minute presentation with no preparation on why cats are the best pet! They are loving animals with unique and often-times hilarious personalities. They are independent and so intelligent. I have fostered a couple of kittens over the years, and it is so fun and rewarding! When they are young kittens, they have so much energy, it’s so entertaining. I also love reuniting with Leo whenever I visit home!
What are some small things that make your day better?
Small things that make my day better include running into friends in the halls of the hospital or at noon conference, grabbing a latte from Cups, and taking the outside route to Wiser to get some fresh air.
Where could we find you when you are not at the hospital?
When I am not at the hospital, I am either shopping at Costco, TJ Maxx, or the Renaissance, hanging out with friends, or visiting family.
What profession would you have chosen if you weren’t a physician?
I love this question as this is something I am passionate about! If I were not a physician, I would be a party/event planner and interior designer. I love planning/hosting parties and decorating around themes. In my free time over the many years, I have hosted themed holiday parties, birthday parties, and wedding events. I also enjoy interior designing and home decorating.
