Emory Family & Preventive Medicine Department News
2023: Volume 6, issue 8
55 Words from the Chair
Even though seasons may change, our dedicated faculty and staff remain unwavering in their pursuit of excellence in missions of research, education, service, and community outreach. Dive into this month's newsletter for more on our faculty and staff accomplishments, our Excellence to Eminence lecture, and how we stay connected at home and in our communities.
Welcome to the DFPM!
Third-year Family Medicine resident, Dr. Shaaz Fareed, has been hired by Emory and will be working at Emory at Acworth.
Faculty & Staff Achievements
Dr. Alfonso Named one of
50 Most Influential Latinos in GA
Dr. Susana Alfonso, Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Medical Director of the Emory PA Program, was named one of the 50 most influential Latinos in Georgia and honored at an event hosted by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GHCC). The GHCC celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by recognizing Georgia’s most prominent and distinguished Hispanic leaders at its 6th annual “50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia.” The event was presented by Truist, hosted by The Atlanta Braves, and supported by Park Place Operations Inc. Remarks were shared by Speaker of the House of Representative Jon Burns, Senator Jon Ossoff, Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King, Mayor of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Braves President and CEO Derek Schiller, and EVP, CTP Georgia Region President of Truist Katherine Saez. In attendance were over 450 Civic, Business, and Community Leaders from Georgia who continue to propel state-wide economic impact and community advancement. Dr. Jill Biden was also in attendance to celebrate the honorees!
Established in 2019, the GHCC Hall of Fame seeks to honor individuals who have made enduring contributions to the state of Georgia. The selection process involves the GHCC Board of Directors and past Hall of Fame recipients, making induction into this esteemed group a testament to the significant impact and lasting legacy of each honoree.
Congratulations Dr. Villalón-Gómez, DFPM Hidden Gem!
Dr. Johnson selected as new Co-Chair of DPM DEI Council
Dr. Leslie Johnson is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Family Medicine, having received an MPH and PhD in Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences (BSHES) from Emory Rollins School of Public Health. In 2021, Dr. Johnson was selected to participate in the inaugural cohort of the Monica Baskin Diversity Institute for Emerging Leaders run through the Society of Behavioral Medicine.
This year-long program competitively selects, trains, and mentors early-career researchers from underrepresented populations to be institutional leaders guided by an understanding of the principles of diversity and inclusion. She has since been an active contributor to DEI work at Emory, serving as a sub-committee chair for the Actionable Education Initiative at Emory SOM, facilitating sessions for the Emory Initiative to Maximize Student Development Fellowship Program, and contributing to the departmental DEI council. In addition, Dr. Johnson’s research portfolio has a focus on addressing health disparities and adapting evidence-based interventions for diverse populations and settings.
Please Complete the WHSC Well-Being Survey
WHSC Office of Well-Being (EmWELL) is partnering with the Healthcare Professional Well-being Academic Consortium (PWAC) to evaluate the current state of well-being and professional fulfillment of WHSC employees, including Emory Healthcare, with the purpose of helping develop, advocate for, and adopt practical strategies to improve these.
The survey should take less than 15 minutes.
Scan the QR code below to complete the survey.
FPM Celebrates
Work-Life Balance
Seeing the summer leisure pictures is so much fun, let's keep it going all year! Send in your pictures of what you enjoy doing outside of work!
Pictured above: Joanna Boyles and her son completed a 603-piece Lego bouquet on the same weekend that they went apple-picking!
Pictured below: Dr. Richard Goodman and his wife in the Piedmont Langhe region of northwest Italy doing a 70-mile hike with friends. Every summer they do hikes, usually in Great Britain in the range of 100+ miles. This year they chose to walk on the European continent.
Transformative Research
Please congratulate this year’s DFPM honorees
for Emory Researcher Day!
Dr. Deanna Kaplan
Dr. Megha Shah
Dr. Sathish Thirunavukkarasu
Dr. Sara Turbow
You’ll find a short summary of their research and its impact, along with the full list of Emory School of Medicine Researcher Day honorees, here.
Research Partnerships
The Excellence to Eminence Lecture in Preventive, Primary, and Palliative Care
The above photo from the Excellence to Eminence in Preventive, Primary, and Palliative Care Lecture series is a perfect example of our department's collaborative partnerships. Faculty from the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine as well as the division of General Internal Medicine are pictured with guest lecturer Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith from Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Nunez-Smith's time at Emory included meetings with former mentees, and sessions with Emory faculty that, as Dr. Mo Ali said, "energized our communities." Huge thanks to the faculty and staff who made this event a success, especially Ms. Emily Chuba!
Pictured above: Dr. Mo Ali, Dr. Rosette Chakkalakal, Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, Dr. Sara Turbow, and Dr. Saria Hassan.
Pictured below: Dr. Nunez-Smith talks with Dr. Tina-Ann Thompson and GIM faculty Dr. Stacy Higgins and Dr. Shelly-Ann Fluker after the lecture.
Pictured below: Photos from the Excellence to Eminence lecture 2023, including a collage of Emily Chuba gifting some Emory swag to Dr. Nunez-Smith.
Recent Presentations
Dr.Ambar Kulshreshtha presented "Forward Together: Diversity in Research Participation" at the National Alzheimer’s Association Conference.
Dr. Sathish Thirunavukkarasu has received a Certificate of Excellence in Reviewing from Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews. He was also named Outstanding Associate Editor by Frontiers in Endocrinology. Dr. Thirunavukkarasu serves as a grants reviewer for the Ministry of Health for the Government of Singapore as well as an Editorial Board Member for Diabetes Therapy and BMC Public Health.
Faculty publications
Dr. Sathish Thirunavukkarasu's article “Effect of Conventional Lifestyle Interventions on Type 2 Diabetes Incidence by Glucose-Defined Prediabetes Phenotype: An Individual-Participant Data Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials,” has been selected to appear as a featured article in the November issue of Diabetes Care.
Collaborative Faculty Publications
Dr. Lesley Johnson and Dr. Mo Ali published Stakeholder Perspectives regarding the Acceptability and Sustainability of a Multi-component Diabetes Care Strategy in South Asia: a longitudinal qualitative analysis.
Dr. Jane Lowers and Dr. Dio Kavalieratos published Decision support training for advanced cancer family caregivers: Study protocol for the CASCADE factorial trial.
Faculty Publications
Dr. Mo Ali:
Behaviour change in the era of biomedical advances.
Dr. Ambar Kulshreshtha:
Comparing Resident and Program Director Perspectives on Wellness Curricula: A CERA Study
Global rural health disparities in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: State of the science.
Dr. Jodie Guest:
Dr. Leslie Johnson:
Dr. Miranda Moore:
Protocol for the 2023 CERA Clerkship Director Survey.
Dr. Tammie Quest:
Engaging Mortality: Effective Implementation of Dignity Therapy.
Dr. Sathish Thirunavukkarasu:
Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes with Lifestyle Interventions: Evidence vs. Reality.
Increased Severity of COVID-19 in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Diabetes: a Public Health Priority.
Dr. Sara Turbow:
Educational Investments for our future
Educational News and Events
Dr. Sarah Dupont named APD
Dr. Sarah Dupont has been named Associate Program Director for the Public Health and General Preventive Medicine Residency and Fellowship Program. Dr. Dupont is an assistant professor in the DFPM. She received her MD from Emory School of Medicine and her MPH from Rollins School of Public Health. Dr. Dupont also completed her Family Medicine Residency and Preventive Medicine Fellowship at Emory. Her clinical practice is at Emory at Decatur Primary Care.
In Case You Missed It:
Winship Grand Rounds
"The recommendation of ‘Best Supportive Care’…What is it and how does it improve outcomes?"
Tammie E. Quest, MD
Watch the recording below.
Johnson chosen as Junior Faculty Supervisor for GACD
Dr. Leslie Johnson was invited to serve as a junior faculty supervisor, a newly established role, for the 6th Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) Implementation Science School (September 18 - October 4, 2023). This 3-week long intensive program is for early-career researchers, facilitated by some of the field's most prominent global experts.
Through lectures, small group sessions, facilitated group work, and panel discussions, trainees learn how to study and implement research findings into policy and practice, select and apply theories, models, and frameworks, and create a professional network for future collaborations.
Villalón-Gómez shares expertise on medical education
Dr. José M. Villalón-Gómez was interviewed for the Woodruff Health Educators Academy: Educational Landscapes Podcast about his passion for education and how his mentors encouraged him to remain curious and try new things. Some of his words of wisdom include: "I think this kind of position / role, we have to perceive it and treat it as a marathon. It's not a sprint. If you take it as a sprint or short race, you're going to get fatigue, you're going to get tired. That's where the burnout comes in. So you have to come in with a marathon runner perspective of find your pace, find your tempo, so then you can be an effective leader."
Kulshreshtha interviewed by
National Geographic
Dr. Ambar Kulshreshtha was interviewed for a recent National Geographic article titled "Are You Taking the Wrong Medications? You Might Be Surprised." The article is behind a paywall, but if you aren't a subscriber, you can read it here.
Recent PM Grad Molinari Sworn Into USPHS
Dr. Alex Molinari (pictured above), a June graduate of the Emory Public Health and General Preventive Medicine Residency and Fellowship Program was sworn into the Commissioned Corps of U.S. Public Health Service, as part of his official onboarding as an Epidemic Intelligence Service medical officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He now holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander (CO5) in USPHS, which is one of the Uniformed Services (along with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard).
Upcoming CME Session on RSV and Influenza, October 19
The Emory Serious Communicable Diseases Project ECHO Program will hold a 1-hour session explaining the current epidemiologic trends and projections of circulating respiratory viruses.
October 19, 2023, via Zoom. 11 am -12 pm.
Proposals requested:
Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice
Deadline: Nov. 3
All SOM faculty interested in Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP) are encouraged to review the RFP and propose innovative projects for funding consideration. This year, the Office of IPECP will prioritize proposals that focus on student curriculum and learning opportunities. Questions? Contact Rebecca Baggett, WHSC Office of IPECP Director of Projects, at ipecp@emory.edu.
Frontiers in Emerging, Re-Emerging, and Zoonotic Diseases and Diversity
November 12-17, 2023
Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce PR
Frontiers in Emerging, Re-Emerging, and Zoonotic Diseases and Diversity is designed for graduate and medical students, medical residents, postdoctoral fellows, and/or early-career faculty and provides urgent and essential knowledge and the abilities necessary to manage pandemic responses. The program has sophisticated hands-on labs, didactic lectures, and personal learning as well as stimulating thorny discussions about equity in biomedical research, and practical guidance on starting and sustaining NIAID-sponsored research careers.
This NIH/NIAID-sponsored course is to provide a training course consisting of a series of daily discussions and hands-on laboratory research taught by renowned emerging-disease and diversity research leaders, resulting in comprehensive, sophisticated training in research strategies and state-of-the-art methods in cellular, molecular, and genetic approaches. Our goal is to train the next generation of researchers, from behavioral, and clinical through translational to fundamental scientists, who can reliably predict and proactively manage emerging and neglected diseases so that pandemics and their associated disruptions, such as those that have resulted from COVID-19.
Please download the applications for the courses at www.pdc.magee.edu or email at frontiers@mwri.magee.edu with any questions.
Financial Aid is available for 100% (including tuition, lodging and living expenses, airfare).
Service for our future
As part of the Family Medicine Mentoring Program, medical student Julia Tully, resident Dr. Anjali Amalean, Dr. Emily Herndon, and Dr. Ryan Smith (pictured above) helped clean up Jonesboro Road as part of Hands On Atlanta week (a city-wide volunteer week) and Operation Clean Sweep (a city-wide initiative to clean city greenspaces).
Dr. Leslie Johnson has been selected to serve a 2-year term on AcademyHealth’s Mental Health and Substance Use Research Advisory Committee.
Emory Farmworker Project Update and Call for Volunteers
Seeing the photos from the summer Emory Farmworker Project is always a highlight of the DFPM year. Below are some great photos from the summer and a call for translation help for the fall program.
The PA Program is currently preparing for the Fall 2023 Emory Farmworker Project which will take place October 20-22nd in Bainbridge, GA. We are looking for people who can join us as interpreters! Interpretation is vital to be able to serve this patient population and is needed in Spanish and Haitian Creole. Please feel free to share with friends and family outside of Emory! Anyone interested in volunteering as an interpreter can email etgrill@emory.edu.
15th Annual Emory Veterans Day Ceremony
Nov. 10 | 11 a.m. | Emory Quadrangle
All SOM faculty, staff, learners, and alumni are encouraged to attend and those who are authorized to wear the uniform are encouraged to join the honor guard. Remarks will be made by President Fenves and EVPHA Dr. Ravi Thadhani. The keynote speech will be delivered by Major General Burke W. Whitman, USMC Retired. Contact pat.forrestal@emory.edu or andrew.west@emory.edu for more information.
Medicaid Expansion Rally
November 12
You're invited to attend a Medicaid Expansion rally on November 12th (Sunday) at 1:20 PM to take place outside of the old AMC. A group will be meeting at 1 PM at MLK National Park and walking up Boulevard to AMC where the larger group will meet up at 1:20 PM. We will have a variety of speakers including Grady/Emory's own Dr. Anwar Osborne as well as Councilmember Bakthiari and State Senator Nan Orrock. Given the location of the event and that it will be just after the anniversary of AMC closing, the group also plans to renew the pressure on Wellstar to donate the AMC land for the city to invest in the community.
The group has a permit to gather, marshals to ensure everyone's safety, and plenty of banners and signs to go around. They expect a large media presence and encourage clinicians to wear white coats, but please remember to avoid displaying Emory or Grady insignia.
If you have questions or would like to help with the planning, please contact Dr. Toby Terwilliger, assistant professor in the division of hospital medicine, at toby.terwilliger@gmail.com.
News from the FPM DEI Council
AAPI Teach-In at Atlanta and Oxford Campuses
There will be an AAPI Teach-In this week at Emory. Read more about it in this advance article. The First AAPI Teach in will be held both on the Oxford (Oct 12) and Emory (Oct 13) Campuses. Dr. Catherine Ceniza Choy, author, historian and professor of ethnic studies at University of California, Berkeley, will be the keynote speaker.
Muscogee Nation will conduct second teach-in Oct. 27
October 9 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Make plans to attend the Muskogee Teach-In on Emory’s Atlanta campus later this month, featuring storytelling, hymn singing, a stomp dance, and a conversation with artist Johnnie Diacon.
News from the Office of Faculty Development
