Celebrating 2025 Educator Appreciation Day

Department of Medicine Educators Recognized for going above and beyond

• Khaalisha Ajala
  Dr. Khaalisha Ajala created an innovative pathways program to engage undergraduates in internal medicine conferences and post-conference support. She engages faculty physicians who are active members of our specialty’s professional societies who want to mentor or coach learners. She also arranges supportive opportunities for learners to meet with hospitalists at national and regional conferences, with follow-up sessions for mentorship and skills building. Dr. Ajala also facilitates post-session support (e.g., mock interviews, scholarship).
• Mikhail Akbashev
  Dr. Mikhail Akbashev knew early on that teaching would be core to his career, and he has been recognized by learners at all levels for his commitment, clarity, and engaging style of imparting information. He prioritizes bedside learning and fosters autonomy in his residents and students, encouraging them to base their plans on their own decision-making, under his insightful guidance. Dr. Akbashev’s learners view him as relatable and a positive influence, as he is “deeply committed to the mentorship and growth of everyone in the team” and “goes above and beyond in community building and fostering a sense of closeness.”
• Shirine Allam
  Since taking over directorship of the pulmonary and critical care fellowship in the early days of the COVID pandemic, Dr. Shirine Allam has reimagined several aspects of the training program, including the development of a comprehensive and more impartial application review process for applicants, and creating new educational experiences for current fellows. Her approach to program design, her mentorship, and her staunch advocacy have profoundly shaped the next generation of pulmonary and critical care graduates from our program. In all that she does for our trainees, Dr. Allam shows integrity, compassion, and a deep dedication to the personal and professional development of her learners.
• Alex Arges
  Dr. Alex Arges is an incredible educator! In addition to serving as a teaching attending for our inpatient EUH wards, Dr. Arges regularly delivers resident lunch conference, serves as a resident journal club mentor, and recently joined the core faculty for our new Med-Peds residency.
• Sivan Ben-Moshe
  Dr. Sivan Ben-Moshe is a transformative medical educator whose work has profoundly enriched the curriculum and student experience. As Director of Aging and Dying Week, she has innovated content to foster compassion alongside clinical knowledge in caring for older adults and patients at the end of life. She introduced Holocaust education to the medical school, often providing students their only exposure to this essential history. Dr. Ben-Moshe actively mentors students, residents, and fellows in both research and professional development, and her contributions on the Curriculum Committee reflect her deep commitment to advancing meaningful, humanistic medical education.
• Caroline Coleman
  Dr. Caroline Coleman is a nationally recognized educator and innovator in digital scholarship and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). As site clerkship director at the Atlanta VA, she mentors students and residents through ward teaching, rapid response simulations, and a robust POCUS curriculum. Dr. Coleman is a frequent conference speaker, associate editor for the Journal of Graduate Medical Education, and contributor to The Curbsiders podcast. Her educational graphics and podcast episodes reach broad audiences. Dr. Coleman fosters a supportive, engaging learning environment at every level and has won multiple teaching awards, including the Emory Division of Hospital Medicine competition and the Golden Apple.
• Michael Connor
  Dr. Michael Connor has become a nationally recognized leader in critical care nephrology and helped to develop resident and fellow educational curricula. Dr. Connor has also given outstanding invited lectures regionally at the Critical Care Summit, Emory Critical Care Center Grand Rounds, and nationally at the Society of Critical Care Medicine.
• Brandon Dixon
  Through his medical career, Dr. Brandon Dixon has demonstrated a vast interest and passion for teaching, including mentorship for undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate mentees in the medical and basic science research field. Dr. Dixon teaches with such enthusiasm and always seeks to bring learners a wonderful experience.
• Meredith Greer
  Dr. Meredith Greer is a committed educator who mentors learners at all levels, from medical students to fellows. She welcomes students into her clinic, guiding them through specialty choices and application processes. At Grady Memorial Hospital, she plays a central role in resident education during ICU rounds, helping refine clinical reasoning, workflow, and understanding of physiology and pathology. Dr. Greer’s innovative teaching fosters critical thinking in a supportive environment, and her individualized mentorship empowers learners to grow both professionally and personally. Her dedication to education makes her a transformative influence in medical training.
• David Guidot
  Dr. David Guidot is a devoted and compassionate teacher who is devoted both to his patients and his students. He possesses an unrelenting sense of humility and compassion which he instills in those he mentors while also bringing them to new levels of clinical insight and comprehension. Dr. Guidot is self-effacing with a mischievous wit and an encyclopedic knowledge of medicine and its practice.
• Tracey Henry
  Dr. Tracey Henry is an exceptional clinical educator who tailors her teaching to each learner’s needs. During a busy Grady ED shift, she paused my presentation on hyponatremia, sketched a clear diagram on the spot, and highlighted both my correct reasoning and misconceptions—without a hint of embarrassment. Her patient, insightful feedback instantly boosted my confidence and inspired me to address my knowledge gaps. This in‐the‐moment teaching exemplifies Dr. Henry’s ability to transform complex concepts into lasting understanding, making her an invaluable mentor and teacher in any clinical setting.
• Kyle James
  Dr. Kyle James is a dedicated physician who consistently demonstrates an unwavering commitment to teaching, supervising, and mentoring trainees at all levels. He has established themselves as an exceptional educator, leading serial journal clubs that foster critical appraisal of literature and evidence-based practice among residents and peers. Dr. Kyle’s ability to simplify complex medical concepts while maintaining high academic standards is truly commendable.
• Mike Jones
  Dr. Mike Jones has done incredible work as an educator since he joined us two years ago. In addition to being a beloved attending on our teaching service, Dr. Jones has also spent time precepting the PA students at our hospital. After winning our Division of Hospital Medicine’s teaching competition last year, he has moved on to become one of the competition’s co-directors this year. Dr. Jones did so much in just a short time!
• Babar Junaidi
  Dr. Babar Junaidi is a fantastic clinician educator! In addition to serving on our inpatient ward teaching service at EUH, he regularly presents at resident lunch conference, serves as a physician preceptor for the PA student bedside H+P course, has given multiple lectures for EUH faculty and will be presenting at our Division Grand Rounds this month. Dr. Junaidi is committed to education across numerous audiences and venues!
• Malavika Kapuria
  Dr. Malavika Kapuria is an exceptional clinical educator who also works to elevate the teaching culture within hospital medicine. She thoughtfully curates hospital medicine electives for both medical students and residents, ensuring varied, high-yield experiences. Passionate about feedback and supporting learners in need, Dr. Kapuria has presented and led workshops on feedback delivery at professional conferences. Her dedication not only enhances individual learning but also empowers colleagues to grow as educators.
• Ali Kashkouli
  Dr. Ali Kashkouli is an outstanding educator whose energy, optimism, and learner-centered approach make him a true role model. As course director for the Foundations Nephrology Course and renal physiology small group leader, he makes complex material accessible and memorable while mentoring fellow faculty. His patient, approachable demeanor encourages students to ask questions and engage deeply. Dr. Kashkouli consistently receives stellar evaluations, and his influence has helped strengthen the overall perception and impact of nephrology education at Emory.
• Stephen Kimura
  Dr. Stephen Kimura is an excellent educator. He gets so excited about showing his fellow hospitalists interesting clinical exam findings and great ultrasound pictures. Dr. Kimura has mentored many folks on how to do procedures and is building a procedure service at Emory Midtown.
• Abhi Kole
  Dr. Abhi Kole is a passionate and dedicated educator who excels in clinical and community-based teaching. He brings energy to every teaching opportunity—whether guiding learners during hospital medicine electives at Grady, emphasizing bedside learning, or leading engaging ward-based sessions. His clinical excellence and efficiency inspire trainees. Outside the hospital, Dr. Kole leads social medicine sessions on structural violence and the care of incarcerated populations, mentoring first-year students in community-engaged service projects. His work exemplifies how medical education can extend far beyond the bedside, shaping both learners and the communities they serve.
• David Krakow
  Dr. David Krakow is an exceptional educator, diagnostician, and mentor whose dedication to teaching has profoundly impacted medical students, residents, and peers. Dr. Krakow consistently goes above and beyond in shaping the next generation of physicians. Through serial conferences, case discussions, and bedside teaching, he fosters an engaging and dynamic learning environment. Dr. Krakow’s clinical acumen and diagnostic skills are exemplary, making him a role model for trainees who aspire to master the art and science of medicine.
• Jennifer Lom
  Dr. Jennifer Lom is a dedicated teacher who creates a welcoming learning environment and continuously strives to improve her teaching skills. She has served as a faculty mentor to residents and medical students since 2014, helping them build skills, determine career paths, and reach their academic goals. Many of her learners recognize her as a “phenomenal educator” who gave them the “autonomy to make effective decisions and plans regarding patient care.” Her excellent rapport with her teams of learners significantly benefits their learning experiences. Trainees noted that she has an “amazing bedside manner” and was an impactful role model in situations such as navigating challenging conversations, “compassionately listening to a patient’s family member about the challenges of his loved one’s illness journey.” This kind of modeling creates a deep and lasting impact on all learners, helping them become more empathetic in their care of patients.
• Jed Mangal
  Dr. Jed Mangal is a founding clinician on Grady Memorial Hospital’s Medicine-Psychiatry Unit, where he recognizes the potential for transformative learning. His teaching philosophy centers on education as an active, evolving process shaped by direct experiences, reflective appraisal, and social negotiation of knowledge. His overall goal is to cultivate reflective, culturally competent healthcare providers and has developed a senior medical student elective that encourages humility and mutual respect with a focus on continuous learning and improvement. His learners view him as an “exceptional supervising physician” who is “extremely patient, supportive, and instructive with learners.”
• Sara Markley Webster
  Dr. Sara Markley Webster is an outstanding educator known for her engaging, clear, and memorable teaching style. She brings complex endocrine concepts to life for learners at all levels—from medical students to faculty—through dynamic lectures and bedside instruction. Her recent Medicine Grand Rounds on GLP-1s drew widespread praise for its clarity and relevance. In her first year directing the medical school’s Endocrine Disease course, students voted her as one of the top three course directors. Dr. Markley Webster’s talent for making learning both approachable and enjoyable leaves a lasting impact on all who learn from her.
• Ashish Mehta
  Dr. Ashish Mehta has directed the course in Pulmonary Medicine for first-year medical student for five years, and each year he develops novel and effective ways of teaching. Dr. Mehta is present for each and every educational interaction during the five-week course and, as a result, is extraordinarily well-regarded by his students who appreciate his ability to help them “put it all together.” Dr. Mehta exhibits skill in both direct teaching and in course organization and is well deserving of formal recognition on Educator Appreciation Day!
• Brandon Muckley
  Dr. Brandon Muckley is an outstanding educator whose clinical expertise and compassionate teaching style deeply resonate with both residents and students. As a hospitalist at the VA, he consistently demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and empathy—especially when navigating complex care scenarios. He is equally dedicated to both direct care and teaching teams, fostering a supportive environment that encourages learning and growth. Trainees consistently express appreciation for his mentorship and value the clarity and depth of his clinical reasoning. Dr. Muckley’s commitment to medical education makes him a vital and highly respected member of the teaching faculty.
• Jose Navarrete
  Dr. Jose Navarrete, nicknamed the “professor,” is an outstanding source of knowledge for our nephrology fellows, and he is a consistent nephrology educator for the internal medicine residency noon conferences at Emory Midtown. Dr. Navarrete mentors numerous fellows and was selected as their “Scholarly Activity Faculty Member of the Year”. He is a consistent presence in our outpatient curriculum, and fellows consistently give glowing remarks about their time in his home dialysis clinic. Dr. Navarrete’s enthusiasm for teaching is palpable and numerous former trainees like myself attempt to emulate Dr. Navarrete’s teaching style.
• Jessica Nave
  Dr. Jessica Nave is a phenomenal clinician educator! In addition to being a beloved attending on our EUH ward teaching teams, Dr. Nave has spent years directing the resident’s resuscitation training as well as delivering lunch conference for the EUH residents. She is also a fantastic educator for faculty. Dr. Nave routinely delivers lectures locally, including a recent Hospital Medicine Grand Rounds. She also gives national talks, such as her upcoming lecture at the Society of Hospital Medicine Annual Meeting. Dr. Nave is frequently sought out for her expertise in ACLS and CDI.
• Zachary Owens
  As part of the procedure team, Dr. Zachary Owens is an excellent teacher and teammate in assisting hospital medicine for procedures. Dr. Owens represented Emory Midtown well at the annual division wide teaching competition and is involved in journal club with the Hospital Medicine team.
• Reeni Pandya
  Dr. Reeni Pandya is passionate about improving trainees’ procedural skills. She is consistently working with the trainees to improve their performance with every subsequent patient and procedure clinic. Dr. Pandya remains calm and reassuring during stressful or difficult procedures and continues to provide feedback to the trainees on how to adjust.
• Emily Pinto-Taylor
  Dr. Emily Pinto-Taylor is a dynamic educator and mentor whose influence spans institutions and learner levels. As Associate Program Director for the new Med-Peds residency, she brings vision and leadership. She co-leads a regional chief resident retreat for 60+ residents across Emory and Morehouse and co-directs Aging Week, where she revamped the end-of-life communication curriculum. A skilled teacher in ambulatory palliative care, she offers cross-residency instruction and is editing the first outpatient palliative care textbook. Through mentorship, feedback workshops, and curriculum development, Dr. Pinto-Taylor elevates education with energy, clarity, and compassion.
• Eva Rimler
  Dr. Eva Rimler exemplifies innovation and collaboration in medical education. She teaches that success as a generalist lies in teamwork among patients, staff, and learners. Known for fostering a safe, supportive learning environment, she balances encouragement with high expectations, helping trainees identify knowledge gaps and grow in confidence. Learners consistently praise her as an inspiring teacher and mentor who provides clinical guidance and career support. One trainee shared that she “embodies both the empathy and professionalism that define a dedicated and caring physician.”
• Youssef Saklawi
  Dr. Youssef Saklawi is an innovative and dynamic educator who meets learners at every level—from students to faculty—with enthusiasm and clarity. Nationally recognized as a Clinical Problem Solvers Morning Report facilitator, he delivers engaging, case-based teaching on the wards and in conference settings. He is actively developing a clinical reasoning curriculum for the M4 subinternship and mentors students on scholarly case presentations. Dr. Saklawi fosters a supportive learning environment grounded in well-being and collaboration. As leader of the CPC Committee and a finalist in national teaching competitions, he exemplifies excellence in modern medical education.
• David Schulman
  Since his arrival at Emory more than 20 years ago, Dr. David Schulman has been a dedicated and passionate “big E” Educator who has made substantial contributions to our students, residents and our fellows, and Dr. Schulman has been serving nationally and received awards for creating and sustaining several new and innovative educational programs.
• Dheepa Sekar
  Dr. Dheepa Sekar is a passionate and thoughtful medical educator who mentors students and residents in educational scholarship, leads the Intro to Medical Education elective, and serves as Associate Director of the IM clerkship at Grady. She champions assessment strategies that promote learning and uses simulation to identify skill gaps and tailor individualized learning plans. A national presenter on feedback and narrative evaluations, Dr. Sekar is also deeply committed to strengthening interest in primary care by reimagining outpatient education. Her innovative and learner-centered approach makes her an invaluable asset to the educational mission at Emory.
• Mark Spencer
  Dr. Mark Spencer is one of Emory School of Medicine’s outstanding educators. His expertise, community partnerships, and passion have established him as a leader in social justice and advocacy. Dr. Spencer’s focus on the criminal legal system and carceral health addresses critical, often overlooked issues. He has taught in diverse settings, including an Internal Medicine Grand Rounds, developed a medical student curriculum, and directs the Social Medicine Distinction for the Internal Medicine residency. Dr. Spencer’s students consistently give him excellent evaluations, and he has mentored many in research. Lastly, Dr. Spencer’s community work and connections are unparalleled.
• Natasha Travis
  Dr. Natasha Travis is a compassionate, innovative educator whose commitment to excellence in care and mentorship has earned her recognition as one of Atlanta’s Top Docs. She cultivates an inclusive, inquisitive learning environment across Grady’s Liver, Gender, and Primary Care Clinics, with a strong focus on minority health and care delivery innovation. Her mentees—ranging from undergraduates to residents—describe her as a role model in both professionalism and humanity. As an EMPACT mentor, she uplifts URiM students and embodies the values of equity, excellence, and patient-centered care.
• Lakshmi Tummala
  Dr. Lakshmi Tummala is an exceptional educator whose work spans the full spectrum of medical training. She recently led the successful overhaul of nearly half the preclinical Cardiology course, creating 13 case-based learning sessions in collaboration with senior faculty and students. Dr. Tummala approached this ambitious project with innovation, responsiveness, and a commitment to evidence-based education. Her leadership and adaptability—particularly her willingness to incorporate real-time student feedback—set a gold standard for curriculum reform. Her dedication to improving teaching and learning outcomes makes her an outstanding role model in academic medicine.
• Anna Von
  Dr. Anna Von is an exceptional educator! In addition to rounding as an inpatient teaching attending, she serves as a small group advisor for our medical students, regularly delivers lunch conference for our residents, presents talks to our faculty, and is the physician course director for the PA student bedside H+P course. Dr. Von thrives as an educator in all forms!
• Sana Waheed
  Dr. Sana Waheed is an outstanding medical educator. Nephrology fellows give her outstanding evaluations, and her passion for teaching is constantly praised. She is our new curriculum committee chair and led the redevelopment of our fellowship program didactics curriculum which has been well received. Dr. Waheed is a role model clinician educator for our fellows and junior faculty.
• Colin Washington
  Dr. Colin Washington is a deeply impactful educator and mentor who fosters cultural competence and compassionate care across all levels of training. As Associate Program Director, M3 Clerkship Site Director at Grady, and faculty advisor for the IM student interest group, he creates a supportive, intellectually rich environment that inspires learners. Known for modeling empathy, curiosity, and clear communication at the bedside, he ensures every team member grows, regardless of training level. Learners consistently describe him as “the best of the best,” recognizing his commitment to both patients and education.
• Joyanna Wendt
  Dr. Joyanna Wendt exemplifies excellence in medical education. As a teaching attending on the VA inpatient wards, she is known for her clinical acumen, efficiency, and ability to teach with clarity and kindness. Her impact on learners was recognized with the Division of Hospital Medicine’s Resident Teaching Award. Dr. Wendt is deeply respected by both colleagues and trainees for her practical teaching style and supportive mentorship. We are fortunate to have her as a colleague and educator.
• Richard White
  Dr. Richard White is an exceptional educator whose dedication to teaching is consistently praised by residents. He keeps his team up to date on current diagnoses and treatments and is equally committed to his own learning. Dr. White creates engaging daily chalk talks that provide focused, practical learning opportunities for his team. His ability to turn clinical encounters into teachable moments makes him an invaluable part of the VA’s hospitalist program. His unwavering commitment to medical education and passion for developing learners have made a lasting impact on trainees.
• Cindy Ye
  Dr. Cindy Ye is very passionate about teaching fellows in her Inflammatory Bowel Disease clinic, Endoscopy scope blocks, and Fellows’ continuity clinic. Dr. Ye mentors trainees in multiple successful research projects. Her teaching evaluations have been outstanding. Our GI fellows often request to be scheduled for Dr. Ye’s endoscopy blocks because they love working with her to learn new endoscopy techniques and skills.
• Lorenzo Zaffiri
  Dr. Lorenzo Zaffiri came to Emory as our new director of lung transplantation between the Emory Transplant Center and the Pulmonary Division, and he immediately created an educational campaign for residents (grand rounds), fellows (developing a transplant rotation and specific training program), faculty and the Atlanta community to improve understanding of lung transplant for all.