Dr. Kozar is a psychiatry resident at Yale School of Medicine and a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, where she was honored as a Gold Humanism Scholar. During medical school, she reviewed and interviewed applicants over four years. She has coached students who have been accepted to leading medical schools, including Brown University, Dartmouth College, the University of Connecticut, the University of Massachusetts, and the University of New England.
Before medical school, Dr. Kozar graduated summa cum laude from Quinnipiac University with a BS in health science studies and membership in Alpha Eta. She also served as a peer tutor for anatomy and physiology and supported MCAT preparation—foundational experiences that shaped her commitment to mentorship.
Dr. Kozar brings over a decade of experience in geriatric care, intergenerational program design, and curricular development. As a college student, she pioneered the nation’s first Student-in-Residence program, living for a year among older adults in a senior living community—an innovative model later replicated across the country. Her early passion for the care of older adults was sparked by her friendship with her 95-year-old neighbor, who developed Alzheimer’s disease. This led her to serve as an Alzheimer’s Association Ambassador, join the Medical Science Advisory Council, and direct several dementia care units, where her innovative non-pharmacological interventions earned her the LeadingAge Connecticut Aging Services Award of Excellence.
In medical school, Dr. Kozar expanded her impact through leadership in curriculum development, student recruitment, and admissions, gaining firsthand insight into what selection committees value most. She founded her institution’s chapter of the American Geriatrics Society, served on multiple boards, including the Hartford Medical Society and the nonprofit For All Ages, and co-led the Connecticut Collaborative to End Loneliness. She has also contributed to state-level workforce initiatives addressing physician recruitment and retention.
D. Kozar’s advocacy and scholarship have been recognized through over 40 publications, interviews, and presentations. These include a TEDx talk, an appearance on Steve TV with Steve Harvey, Associated Press articles, and research featured in leading medical journals. Her honors include recognition as an American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry Scholar, the Edward Henderson Excellence Award from the American Geriatrics Society, the Hartford Medical Society Rising Star Award, and the Connecticut State Medical Society Student Advocate of the Year Award.
At Yale, Dr. Kozar continues to advance medical education as an active member of committees focused on resident recruitment, graduate medical education policy, and program development. These roles, combined with her advising experience, give her an insider’s perspective on the complexities of both medical school and residency admissions.
What sets Dr. Kozar apart as an advisor is her ability to weave together her diverse experiences, from national advocacy with the Alzheimer’s Association to program development, curriculum innovation, and recruitment leadership, into a mentorship style that helps students uncover and showcase their most authentic selves. She is known for her personalized, detail-oriented approach, working closely with students to highlight their strengths, articulate meaningful narratives, and design effective strategies for success.
At her core, Dr. Kozar is driven by a deep belief that every applicant has a story worth telling. Whether guiding students through personal statement revisions, interview prep, or long-term strategy, she blends personalized, detail-oriented guidance with enthusiasm and clarity. Her philosophy is anchored in helping future physicians approach their applications—and their careers—with confidence, clarity, and authenticity.
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