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MAY 12, 2025
What you will learn in this month's
Faculty Development edition of the Bulletin:
- Call for Nominations: 2025–2026 Clinical Distinctions Program
- DOM Faculty and Staff Awards
- 2025 Career Conference and Performance Review
- NEW Mentoring Moment Video
- Staff Appreciation Week
- Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipids Adminstrator Announcement
- DOM Leadership Updates
- Health Equity Day Schedule of Events
Scroll down to read more!
FACULTY DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
Call for Nominations: 2025–2026 Clinical Distinctions Program
The Clinical Distinctions (CD) designation program is an annual School of Medicine program designed to recognize faculty who have devoted a majority of their time and careers to providing excellence in clinical care. Distinctions are awarded at three levels: Senior Physician, Distinguished Physician, and Eminent Physician.
Program guidelines, distinction criteria, and required supporting documents may be found here and below. Please contact your Division Director, Service Chief/Site-Director, or Division Administrator if you are interested in being nominated.
As part of your nomination, you will need an updated CV in the proper SOM template. Learn how to easily move your CV into the current SOM template by watching the Emory SOM CV Fillable Template Instruction video.
Divisions should submit the names of their nominees for any applicable categories to the Office of Faculty Development (OFD) by Friday, July 11, 2025. Approved Clinical Distinctions take effect September 1, 2026. If you have any questions regarding the above deadlines or program information, please email Bevin Pascual.
Do you know a faculty or staff member who goes above and beyond in their role? Maybe they have a secret identity as a superhero, saving the day one task at a time!
The Office of Faculty Development is thrilled to announce that nominations for the 2024–2025 faculty and staff awards are now open. This is your chance to recognize those everyday champions among us. Nominate your extraordinary colleague by Monday, June 23, 2025. Let's celebrate the amazing work they do!
Don't wait – submit your nominations today and help us honor the incredible contributions of our faculty and staff during the Kathy Griendling Department of Medicine Honors and Awards Celebration this fall!
Faculty Awards Information
For more information, to view previous winners, and to submit a faculty member nomination, click the links below.
Staff Awards Information
For more information, to view previous winners, and to submit a staff member nomination, click the links below. You may be asked to log in using your Emory University NetID and password.
Thanks to all who attended Coffee with Carlos!
From the end of February to last week, Dr. del Rio went to our different clinical sites to meet with faculty members during six Coffee with Carlos events. In these informal, small group gatherings, faculty were able to share ideas and discuss topics of importance to them in a relaxed and safe setting. We thank all who attended any of the six Coffee with Carlos events and engaged in this open dialogue, asked questions, and provided feedback on various aspects of our department. More opportunities will become available in the fall.
CCPR PREPARATION
2025 Career Conference and Performance Review
It's that time of year again, the annual career conference and performance review season is upon us! Before you get too caught up in your summer plans, don't forget to schedule and complete your Career Conference and Performance Review by August 30, 2025.
For guidance and tips on how to prepare for your review, check out the Career Conference and Performance Review (CCPR): Guidance for Faculty. Remember, a little preparation now means more time for fun later. Let's get those reviews completed! If you have any questions, please reach out to the Office of Faculty Development.
Pro Tip: Update your CV! As part of the evaluation process, you'll need to provide an updated version of your CV in Part 1 – on the latest template! You can find the updated CV template here.
MENTORING
NEW Mentoring Moment: 2024 Sitaraman Silver Pear Mentoring Award for Clinical Faculty
We are excited to unveil the latest Mentoring Moment video, featuring the wisdom and experiences of our esteemed faculty members! In this special edition, Noble Maleque, MD, FHM, FACP, and Ravi Vora, MD, engage in heartfelt dialogue with the two recipients of the 2024 Sitaraman Silver Pear Mentoring Award for Clinical Faculty and the mentees who nominated them.
This inspiring conversation highlights how mentors have profoundly shaped their mentees' careers, while the award winners reflect on the joy and fulfillment of mentoring.
Featured faculty in this video:
Nominator: Mark Spencer, MD (General Internal Medicine) and Winner: Tracey Henry, MD,MPH, MS (General Internal Medicine)
Nominator: Kimberly Manning, MD (General Internal Medicine) and Winner: Jada Bussey-Jones, MD, FACP (General Internal Medicine)
We hope you enjoy this insightful and uplifting video!
FACULTY & STAFF RESOURCES
National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity
Emory faculty have access to the online career development and mentoring resources from the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD). The NCFDD offers online resources focused on strategic planning, writing productivity, and career transitions, designed for faculty success.
Access is available to all Emory faculty, postdocs, and graduate students. To activate your membership, all you need is your Emory email address.
Upcoming NCFDD events include:
What I Wished I Would Have Known About Being an Interim Leader
Thursday, May 15 | 2–3 p.m. | Zoom
Weekly Wrap-Up: Reflections & Planning for Success
Friday, June 6 | 1–2 p.m. | Zoom
Moving from Resistance to Writing
Thursday, June 12 | 2–3 p.m. | Zoom
5 Secrets to a Super Productive Semester
Thursday, June 17 | noon–1 p.m. | Zoom
Know your mental health and well-being resources at Emory
Woodruff Health Sciences Center The Office of Well-Being has compiled resources and programs available to support individual employees, managers, and teams throughout the Emory community. We encourage you to invest in your mental health and well-being by exploring these programs, such as the Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) or EmBRACE Peer Support Program
DOM UPDATES
Emily Twa, MPH, named Administrator for the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipids
We are pleased to announce Emily Twa, MPH, has been named Administrator for the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipids, effective today, May 12, 2025.
In her new role, Emily will be responsible for all TEC and university-based major division activities, including grants and contracts, clinical operations, development and administration of TEC and university budgets, financial analysis, space management, and human resources management.
Emily joined the DOM in 2023 as the department’s Senior Business Manager. In this role, she supported clinic and academic activities at the division and department levels. She also recently served as interim Administrator for Cardiology and Infectious Diseases, overseeing the divisions’ operations, finance, and research management.
Please join the department in congratulating Emily on her new role. We look forward to seeing how her leadership will positively impact the division.
DOM Office of Education Leadership Update
In an announcement from Chair Carlos Del Rio, on Friday, May 10, it was shared that Jennifer Spicer, MD, MPH, has accepted a new role as the Vice Chair of Education for the University of Colorado's Department of Medicine, effective fall 2025.
Dr. Spicer currently serves as an Associate Program Director and Director of the Residency Distinction in Medical Education for the J Willis Hurst Internal Medicine Residency Program. Her contributions to medical education have been transformative and will be long-lasting.
In fact, last Friday, May 9, at the School of Medicine's diploma ceremony and graduation, Dr. Spicer was recognized with the Evangeline Papageorge Distinguished Teaching Award, an award given each year to a medical faculty member whose intellectual luminosity has generated the greatest excitement about learning among students and colleagues. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Spicer on receiving this highly prestigious award! We thank Dr. Spicer for her many years of service and wish her success in this new role.
In preparation for Dr. Spicer's departure, the DOM Office of Education is seeking applications to backfill her roles. Click the button below to read the full job descriptions and view application requirements.
- Applications for the Associate Program Director for the J. Willis Hurst Internal Medicine Residency Program are due Monday, June 9.
- Applications for the Residency Distinction Director – Medical Education; Core faculty for the Department of Medicine are due Monday, June 2.
The new Emory Dialysis at Greenbriar is now open!
Congratulations to the Division of Renal Medicine, and in particular to Interim Division Director Janice Lea, MD, and Division Administrator Shawanna Jackson (pictured in the photo collage above), for working together with Emory Healthcare leadership on the new state-of-the-art Dialysis Center, Emory Dialysis at Greenbriar. The new location, now conveniently located off Camp Creek Parkway at 1000 Centre Parkway, Suite 180, in East Point, opened on Thursday, May 8. This renovated location of one of the many Emory Dialysis Centers will now better serve our community with patient-centered care from Emory's world-renowned physicians and clinical staff, including nurses, technicians, dietitians, and social workers.
STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK
Celebrating the Department of Medicine's Staff
This Staff Appreciation Week, we want to take this time to express our gratitude and appreciation to our incredible team of staff members who make the work we do in the Department of Medicine possible. Your dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment are the driving forces behind our success.
Keep scrolling to see the ways to celebrate our staff this week!
Department of Medicine Staff Trivia Competition
As you probably read in Dr. del Rio's email earlier today, over the next week, in honor of staff appreciation, four lucky staff members will win gift cards by demonstrating their virtual DOM-related trivia knowledge! During the days leading up to Staff Fest on Friday, May 16, we will send one DOM-related trivia question each day. Which means each day you will have a chance to win a $25 gift card!
Keep an eye on your inbox each morning at 10 a.m. when we send that day’s question, the previous day's answer, and announce the previous day's winner. You will then have until 4 p.m. to submit your answers!
Monday's Trivia Question:
What is the exact number of staff that work in the Department of Medicine as of May 1, 2025?
(The winner will be determined by submitting the exact number of staff or the closest without going over.)
School of Medicine Celebrations
The School of Medicine will be celebrating staff this week with a myriad of digital ways to participate. See options below and click the button to see all events!
- Show your spirit: Use a themed Zoom background during your meetings.
- Share your smiles: Post a selfie or team photo that aligns with each day’s theme for a chance to win gift cards. Share your pictures by tagging #SOMMedStaff25 on social media or by emailing som-hr@emory.edu—whichever option you prefer.
- Send a note: Use the Celebrate Others platform to send an e-card to a colleague. Your message of appreciation also enters you into the gift card drawing.
- Feel the love: Select kudos, appreciation messages, and shout-outs will be featured on the Staff Appreciation Week website at the end of the week.
Emory Staff Fest | Friday, May 16
Mark your calendars for Friday, May 16, for the 47th Annual Staff Fest, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.!
Staff Fest is an annual recognition event to say thank you to Emory University staff members for their hard work throughout the academic year.
All staff and faculty are invited to attend. Taking place on the Quad, join for food (BBQ lunch catered by Williamson Bros.), popcorn and ice cream, music, dancing, games, and the volleyball tournament.
Unfortunately, the Fun Run/Walk or Chalk the Walk will not take place this year, but there will still be plenty of fun on the Quad!
Get to know our DOM staff!
The Department of Medicine is home to more than 1,500 employees. In addition to the many faculty, researchers, and trainees that make up this group, are our staff. Our staff works diligently behind the scenes to support and further the department’s tripartite mission to enhance research, patient care, and education.
This week, we want to put a spotlight on these colleagues. Get to know our staff members by checking out the DOM Staff Spotlight Series, featuring individuals who work across all divisions, teams, and mission areas.
DOM KUDOS
K. M. Venkat Narayan, MD, MSc, MBA | Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipids
K. M. Venkat Narayan, MD, MSc, MBA, Executive Director, Emory Global Diabetes Research Center, and DOM faculty member, was recently interviewed by the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) in an article titled, "Why Dialogue Matters: Dr. K.M. Venkat Narayan on Embracing Conversation and Curiosity in Uncertain Times."
Read an excerpt below and click the button to read the full article!
In this conversation with the National Academy of Medicine, Narayan reflects on what led him to co-author (with Shivani Patel) “Addressing Polarizing Issues in Public Health: Ten Principles for Effective Dialog,” a commentary offering practical guidance for navigating disagreement in science and public health settings. The article outlines ten principles grounded in humility, curiosity, and a commitment to respectful communication.
Building on those themes, Narayan discusses in this interview why these principles are urgently needed to foster constructive dialogue in today’s complex and often polarized public health landscape — and how that kind of openness and curiosity can lead to better science. He also shares personal stories of epistemological humility, the role of storytelling in scientific communication, and his vision for cultivating “scientific temper” — not just in labs and policy circles, but across all levels of education and society.
Katina Tsagaris, DO, MPH | Rheumatology
Katina Tsagaris, DO, MPH, was recently interviewed on Atlanta Fox 5's Portia Show, in an episode titled, "Living with Scleroderma." Click the button below to watch a recording of this episode.
About the Episode:
The autoimmune condition Scleroderma affects hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children, yet very few people know about the diagnosis. Monika Hilton and Kimberly Gonzalez were diagnosed with Scleroderma years ago. They are using their platform to raise awareness about the condition. Board-certified physician Dr. Katina Tsagaris weighs in about the signs, struggles, and treatments for scleroderma.
Jeff Sands, MD and Janet Klein, PhD | Renal Medicine
On April 17, Division of Renal Medicine emeritus faculty members, Jeff Sands, MD, and Janet Klein, PhD, were recognized by the Emory Office of Technology Transfer for their work on NephroDI Therapeutics. This honor was presented at "The Tech Partnership Forum: Technology Partnering & Faculty Honors" event.
About NephroDI Therapeutics:
NephroDI Therapeutics is developing a novel AMPK activator as a first-in-class potential therapy for Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus (NDI). The genesis of this technology began with Drs. Jeff Sands and Janet Klein, recognized clinical and research leaders in kidney diseases. While NDI patients are now living longer lives with fewer cognitive deficits, the quality of their lives remains diminished. Drs. Sand and Klein were investigating the role of AMPK activators as a promising potential therapy to reduce urine volume in NDI patients.
Share your kudos with the DOM!
Do you have a colleague who has recently been honored, recognized, or is celebrating a career milestone or anniversary? Please share that information with us to include in this new DOM Kudos section of the Bulletin. Email DOM Communications with any photos and details.
DOM CONFERENCE & EVENT RECAPS
Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Annual Research Symposium
The Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine hosted the 18th Annual Research Symposium on Thursday, May 1, bringing together the finest physicians and scientists spanning the fields of pulmonary, allergy/immunology, sleep, and critical care medicine. From both trainees and junior faculty, there were five oral podium presentations and a total of 26 posters discussed. The posters were judged by the division's senior PhDs and MDs, including DOM's Vice Chair of Research, Vibha N. Lama, MD, MS.
Congratulations to the following poster competition winners:
- Ragini Vittal: "C3a drives Hexokinase-2-dependent “Warburg Effect” and mitochondrial dysfunction in mesenchymal cells derived from lung transplant patient"
- Monica Mehta: "Midkine in mesenchymal cells of lung transplant patients with chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD)
- Michael Marll: "HIV Co-infection Is Associated with Less Pulmonary Impairment at The Time Of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Diagnosis"
- Yasmin Ibrahim: "Modulating lung epithelial barrier function after alcohol-induced injury."
American Physiology Summit
Members of the Human Integrative Physiology (HIP) Lab attended the American Physiological Summit (APS) in Baltimore from April 24–27. Jeanie Park, MD, MS (Division of Renal Medicine) gave a talk on "Sympathetic Regulation in Kidney Disease: Experimental Models to Clinical Trials." Jinhee Jeong, PhD (Division of Renal Medicine), Matias Zanuzzi, MD, MS; Dr. Jeann Sabino De Carvalho, PhD; Melissa McGranahan, PhD; and undergraduate research assistants Jasmine Liu and Anuja
In addition, Dr. McGranahan won the Research Recognition Award in the APS Neural Control and Autonomic Regulation (NCAR) section.
Congratulations to all of the presenters!
Society of Hospital Medicine 2025 Converge National Meeting
Written by: Mary Ann Kirkconnell Hall, MPH, Senior Medical Writer for the Division of Hospital Medicine
Dozens of Emory hospitalists and administrative staff attended the Society of Hospital Medicine’s (SHM) 2025 Converge national meeting April 23–25 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
We had much to celebrate! Two Division of Hospital Medicine faculty, Dr. Joanna Bonsall, MD, PhD, and Dr. Dustin Smith, MD, gave the annual Update in Hospital Medicine Keynote — but not before each of them won one of SHM’s highest national awards. Dr. Bonsall won the Clinical Leadership for Physicians award, and Dr. Smith won the Excellence in Teaching award.
Throughout the conference, EDHM faculty demonstrated their clinical and research acumen, giving a number of talks and leading workshops (and the Med-Ed Teaching Competition). Thirty EDHM teams presented posters. Some were clinical vignettes—including the abstract finalist team of Jesse D. Gruber, MD, Nikita Deng, MD, Brandon Davis, Shruti Erramilli, MD and Yoo Mee Shin, MD, whose clinical vignette, “Beltline bite: a case of West Nile virus in the heart of Atlanta,” was selected as one of the top 40 from hundreds of entrants.
DOM EVENT SPOTLIGHT
Health Equity Day 2025 | Tuesday, May 20
RYSE's 5th Annual Health Equity Day is just around the corner, taking place on Tuesday, May 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.! We hope you'll join us for this half-day hybrid conference either in person at the Grady Hospital Trauma Auditorium or via Zoom. This conference includes poster presentations, compelling narratives, a case competition, a keynote address, and an innovation award. You don't want to miss this!
Want to see what's in store for the day? Click below to see the full schedule of events!
MEDICINE GRAND ROUNDS
Tomorrow's Medicine Grand Rounds
#MedicineGrandRounds
Tuesday, May 13 | noon–1 p.m. | Zoom
Zoom Meeting ID: 993 2764 3552
Zoom Link
Passcode: MGR
Topic: Society of Hospital Medicine 2025 Updates
Speakers:
Joanna Bonsall, MD, PhD
Vice Chair of Grady Affairs and Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine
Dustin Smith, MD, SFHM
VA Associate Program Director for the J. Willis Hurst Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine
For more information about Medicine Grand Rounds, visit bitly.com/grandround.
IN THE NEWS
Recent Department of Medicine News
HuffPost | 12 things doctors always do when they travel to avoid getting sick (Henry Wu quoted)
WAGA-TV 📺 | CDC urged to seek alternate measles treatment (Neil Winawer interviewed)
EVENTS
Human Services Research Center Seminar Series: Sex Inequities in Access to Kidney Transplantation in the US – A Health Services Research Approach *New*
Tuesday, May 12 | noon–1 p.m. | Grace Crum Rollings Building (Floor 7, Room 721)
Emory Staff Fest
Friday, May 16 | 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m | Emory Quadrangle
Engaging Communities: Best Practices for Successful Community-Based Participatory Research *New*
Friday, May 16 | noon–1 p.m. | Zoom
RYSE Health Equity Day
Tuesday, May 20 | Hybrid: Grady Hospital Trauma Auditorium and Zoom
Atlanta Network for Training in Kidney, Urology, and Hematology (KUH) Scientific Research (ATLANTIS) Symposium
Tuesday, May 20, and Wednesday, May 24 | Wisteria Lanes at Emory Conference Center and Hotel
SOM Mock FCAP Review Session
Wednesday, May 21 | 5:30 p.m. | Zoom
You're Promoted, Now What? Tips to Stay Engaged and Productive Throughout Your Career
Friday, June 20 | noon–1 p.m. | Zoom
Emory Symposium on Coronary Atherosclerosis Prevention & Education
Friday, June 27–Sunday, June 29 | Omni Amelia Island Resort (Amelia Island, Florida)
Emory Division of Hospital Medicine Research Day *New*
Friday, August 22 | 6:30 p.m. | Miller-Ward Alumni House
Department of Medicine David S. Stephens Research Day
Thursday, October 30 | 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m | Location TBD
Atlanta POCUS 2025
Thursday, November 6– Friday, November 7 | Miller Ward Alumni House
GIVE TO US
The Department of Medicine includes more than 800 faculty members across our ten divisions. Your support for our work can make a difference to health care locally and globally. Click the button below to learn more about making an impact through your support for the DOM. For general department giving inquiries, please contact Ashley Michaud, Executive Director of Development, at 404-778-1250.
STAY CONNECTED
Please send photos and news from your division to deptofmed@emory.edu and visit the Department of Medicine's blog, EmoryDailyPulse.com.
The Emory University Department of Medicine is a component of the Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center of Emory University, which includes the Emory Schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health; Yerkes National Primate Research Center; Winship Cancer Institute; and Emory Healthcare.