2021 Hidden Gems | Emory School of Medicine

Vaidehi Avadhani, MD Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Dr. Avadhani has a lively personality that has gained the respect of trainees and faculty during her short tenure. During the pandemic she created an online cytopathology course to teach residents and fellows in canvas, and she figured out a way of evaluating their knowledge “reading slides” online. Remember that as pathologists, a lot of our knowledge is based on “reading slides”, what she did was to use videos to obtain microscopic images from slides at different magnifications, avoiding the complexity of using whole slide scanning. This course included interactive questions and assignments for each chapter. As a result, during the 2021 Emory Educator Appreciation Day, she was one of four pathology faculty highlighted for her creative use of canvas to teach our residents cytopathology. She also participated in weekly, online surgical pathology sessions with residents during the lock down in order to decrease the impact of the pandemic on pathology trainees.

Nick Boulis, MD Neurosurgery

Dr. Boulis is a scientist and practicing neurosurgeon who leads his laboratory with patients in mind. His clinical areas of interest in peripheral nerve and pain surgery are poorly reimbursed and unavailable in most neurosurgical practices and academic medical centers. He has two research teams. One team performs proof-of-principle studies of ALS, chronic pain, and nerve regeneration in small animal models of disease. The second team works to translate these discoveries using large animal models. His labs are developing neuromodulation techniques for epilepsy, pain, movement disorders, and spasticity that will no longer require electronic implants. He continues to pioneer methods for stem cell transplant into spinal cord and peripheral nervous system that enabled multiple ALS, Spinal Cord Injury, and Transverse Myelitis clinical trials. Dr. Boulis has pioneered multiple novel approaches to delivering therapeutic genes to the nervous system including direct injection, retrograde transport, and csf mediated strategies that have enabled multiple clinical trials for genetic and degenerative neurological diseases.

Brian Boyce, MD Otolaryngology

In the three years since his arrival Dr. Boyce has rendered outstanding clinical care and surgical results. He has embraced the philosophy of the new Head and Neck Multidisciplinary Clinic and is a vital member of the team. Within the Department he is also the Director of Salivary Endoscopy and Director of Inpatient Clinical Operations for the Head and Neck Service. He is group lead in the Epic EMR transition team. In addition to his clinical duties he has taken a strong interest locally and nationally in HPV and HPV vaccination. He has a podcast through the AAO-HNS on the role of Otolaryngologist in HPV vaccination. He planned, developed, and hosted 6th Annual Cervical Cancer Awareness Day at Georgia Capitol to raise awareness about cervical cancer in Georgia and the importance of HPV vaccination.

Stephanie Drew, DMD Surgery

We were fortunate to have Dr. Drew join the Department of Surgery in 2017. Her skill and expertise are invaluable as she has built an international reputation for the skeletal deformations of the jaw, and in training residents in these techniques. One of the many ways she has made an impact at Emory is through the development and implementation of an Art in Surgery course which she ran as an elective for School of Medicine students at the Carlos Museum. This course was extremely well received and unique. Dr. Drew’s contributions to the department’s clinical, and educational missions have been incomparable and are greatly appreciated. However, Dr. Drew has also been a driving force behind faculty development, diversity and inclusion, and ensuring that new faculty are well-positioned for success. She is the inaugural Chair of our new Recruitment and Onboarding Committee, and through her hard work established a comprehensive checklist for new faculty, which has subsequently served as a model for the rest of the School of Medicine’s efforts related to new faculty on-boarding. Dr. Drew also initiated the process for identifying a new source of support for newly recruited faculty, called an Advisor, who serves for six to 12 months to help new faculty transition to the department, school, and institution.

Tony Eng, MD Radiation Oncology

Dr. Eng is an excellent clinician with expertise in gynecological malignancies. His skill in managing this service is unheralded, including applications of both external beam and brachytherapy for a challenging patient population. He is well-loved by staff, colleagues, and his patients. Congratulations to Tony. Please know that you are appreciated!

Anne Fitzpatrick, PhD Pediatrics

Dr. Fitzpatrick is an energetic, knowledgeable, committed, and highly productive academician who is widely respected in her field. She is devoted to her profession and highly motivated to make significant contributions to asthma and clinical research in general. Importantly, she is a gracious person and a consummate professional. She currently has two R01 grants plus a NIH Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research; she is the lead researcher in Asthma in DOP; she is the leader of Pediatric CTSA team.

Judith Fridovich-Keil, PhD Human Genetics

Besides running an active research lab, Judy played key roles in establishing the Department Bylaws and has been leading the effort in faculty development in Human Genetics.

Felix Gonzalez, MD Radiology and Imaging Sciences

Dr. Gonzalez embodies the patient-centeredness we all aspire to as physicians. He possesses a quiet drive and resiliency for developing and implementing innovative image-guided musculoskeletal procedures that relieve pain and suffering.

Joshua Guttman, MD Emergency Medicine

In simple terms, Josh is the type of academic faculty that is proactive, forward thinking, altruistic and works for the betterment of the field, the learners, and our patients. Early in his time at Grady he noted the need for improvements in how we deliver bedside ultrasound both in our department and others. He put together an ad hoc task force that works together to develop guidelines and processes to deliver better care. His efforts were noted by the Grady Medical Executive Committee, and he has now been tasked to lead an official committee to continue this interdisciplinary work.

Chad Hales, MD, PhD Neurology

Since joining our faculty, Dr. Hales has been a consummate clinician-educator. He has displayed considerable skills as an educator and team leader. As a faculty member he has taught residents and medical students in the Cognitive clinic and in formal classroom-based courses for MD Program’s M2 Neuroscience Course and M3 Clinical Neurology Core Clerkship, as well as our neurology residents’ didactic series. Due to his dedication to education, he was selected to serve on the Undergraduate Education Subcommittee by the AAN as a resident and subsequently reappointed to the group over multiple cycles. In fact, if my calculations are correct, he served on the committee for 9 years.

Lindsey Hartsell, MD Urology

Dr. Hartsell is a caring physician and trusted colleague, providing exemplary care for her patients and indispensable service to her department and the School of Medicine. As Director of Urology Undergraduate Medical Education, she has led numerous initiatives including establishment of the M-3 Urology elective and of a virtual forum to enable medical student access to Urology learning amidst the pandemic. Dr. Hartsell is integral to Emory’s educational mission through her tireless commitment to medical student education, resident recruitment, and resident education. Her essential contributions have yielded tremendous success and growth. Dr. Hartsell has willingly taken on some of the most challenging but unenviable roles in the Urology department and delivered remarkably.

Karmella Haynes, PhD Biomedical Engineering

In the past year under the COVID pandemic, Dr. Haynes has been an inspiring faculty member in so many ways. She was named one of the 1,000 inspiring Black Scientists in America by Cell Mentor, and also being featured in a number of media outlets, including an interview with PBS/NOVA! She taught BMED 7301 (30 students) in 2020. Students were extremely enthusiastic about your ability to engage them despite the challenging material taught during the most stressful pandemic condition. Some students called her one of the “best”, “amazing” and “gem” professors they have ever had, praising her ability to connect with the students. In addition, she actively served within and outside the department. She served as one of the Chairs of the BME Diversity and Inclusion Committee, the BME Faculty Search Committee, and the BME Graduate Admissions Committee. She also cochaired the BME Annual Retreat, where all BME faculty conduct a departmental annual review and planning for the upcoming years together. She also served as the Chair and Co-founder of the AfroBiotech Conference.

Andrey Ivanov, PhD Pharmacology and Chemical Biology

In addition to managing a vibrant research program focused on oncogenic signaling, Dr. Ivanov leads the Computational Chemical Biology effort of the Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center. In this role, Dr. Ivanov tirelessly supports a range of large-scale research projects across Emory with his computational and systems biology expertise. For example, he has helped numerous Emory investigators to perform hit analysis of high-throughput screening projects to triage compounds with pharmacological liabilities and also perform computational modeling of targets and target/ligand complexes to advance the development of novel chemical probes and therapeutics. Dr. Ivanov has utilized his systems biology skills to annotate a large number of potential therapeutic targets with tiers of evidence for prioritized experimental validation. Moreover, Dr. Ivanov has worked closely with a number of Emory physician-scientists to mine large databases of cancer genomics, pharmacological agents, and molecular connectivity to generate clinical hypotheses for translational research. Dr. Ivanov’s contributions have significantly strengthened the research programs of many Emory investigators and led to numerous new opportunities for enhanced impact.

Ed Jackson, MD Orthopaedics

Dr. Jackson joined the department as a sports medicine surgeon at Grady and has since begun splitting his practice between PGP and Grady. Ed has worked tirelessly in supporting local sports clubs, high schools, and notably Georgia Tech. Of significant importance, Ed has helped initiate our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program in the department and serves as the physician leader. This has been an extremely successful and impactful program in the department and had a very positive influence on our culture.

Ashish Khanna, MD Rehabilitation Medicine

Dr. Ashish Khanna is the Director of Cancer Rehabilitation for the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. In this role he collaborates with the Winship Cancer Institute to enhance and extend post-acute medical care to a wide variety of patients. He is fellowship trained in Cancer Rehabilitation, has worked at the National Institute of Health, and, until recruited to Emory worked at the highly ranked Kessler Institute. He is the Medical Director of the Department’s 26 clinics where cancer rehab trained therapists provide therapy for a wide variety of cancer diagnoses. He has multiple national presentations, multiple peer review journal publications, book chapters, and has authored a book entitled: “Cancer Rehabilitation: A Concise and Portable Pocket Guide. Since his arrival he has become the bridge and the catalyst between Oncology and Physiatry, a partnership that has meaningfully advanced the care of our shared patients.

Bo Liang, PhD Biochemistry

Dr. Liang is a highly accomplished biochemistry, structural biologist and virologist, who has been instrumental in developing cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) capabilities to the larger Emory structural biology community. He is also a tireless mentor to trainees from the postdoctoral fellow level to high school students, providing many their first opportunity to do real science in the laboratory and inspiring them to pursue careers in science and medicine.

Anice Lowen, PhD Microbiology and Immunology

Dr. Lowen is an inspiring investigator, educator, and member of our community. Her list of activities that she does on a daily basis is impressive. Dr. Lowen served as chair of the last two faculty search committees for the department, is currently serving as Director of the Microbiology & Molecular Genetics (MMG) graduate program and served on its Executive Committee for the last 6 years. She is an Editor for the Journal of Virology, and Associate editor on a number of journals including Plos Pathogens, Journal of Virology, and mSphere. She served on the Dean’s Faculty Advisor Committee. She is mentoring 4 MMG students and one IMP student, is a co-director for the IBS513 Virology course and seves on 10 student PhD dissertation committees. She also spearheaded (along with W. Orenstein) the last NIAID influenza research center grant and award: CEIRR.

Billynda McAdoo, MD Anesthesiology

Dr. McAdoo is the most requested Anesthesiologist in the entire Emory Healthcare System due to her clinical expertise and outstanding patient care. She serves as an administrator (Board Runner) in the Emory University Hospital Operating Room. She is known for outstanding leadership skills, her poise under pressure, and her kindness. She is also the Anesthesiology Director of the Endoscopy Suite at Emory University Hospital, where she has helped to establish an outstanding clinical service that cares for some of Emory's most acutely ill patients. She is also an outstanding teacher and former Anesthesiology Medical Student Clerkship Director.

Amy Miller, MD Medicine

Among our more than 230 academic hospitalists, Dr. Miller stands out for her exceptional contributions in clinical care, medical education, and quality improvement. Since joining the faculty, Dr. Miller has served on numerous committees --she is the Co-chair of the Emory Transitions of Care Committee, Director of the Ambassador Program for the DOM Faculty Development Program and is a member of the Undergraduate Medical Education Executive Curriculum Committee. Dr. Miller organizes and presents in the Care Transitions Capstone module for 4th year medical students and serves as a mentor for the School of Medicine EMPACT program for underrepresented minority medical students. Dr. Miller also co-created a direct observation of handoffs curriculum to enhance this critical skill for our residents. She received the Division of Hospital Medicine Daisy Award for Outstanding Patient Care in 2014, the Medicine Site Director’s Award in 2017, and the division’s highest honor, the Mark V. Williams Overall Excellence in Hospital Medicine Award in 2019.

Walid Nassif, MD Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

A vital member of the Mental Health team, Walid Nassif, MD is an excellent leader in his multiple roles at the Atlanta VA Health Care System. He serves as the Director of the Psychiatry Consult- Liaison team and is the facility Lead Psychiatrist, which involves oversight for more than 70 psychiatrists and leadership for Emory General Psychiatry Residency Education at the VA. A highly respected educator, Dr. Nassif has taught and mentored countless psychiatry residents and fellows, psychology trainees (interns, postdoctoral residents), and staff from various disciplines. He is developing an innovative mental health training curriculum for nurse practitioners and physician assistants at the Atlanta VA. Without fail, students praise him as an instructor and their work with him contributes meaningfully to their personal and professional development. Dr. Nassif is a skilled and caring physician who excels in case conceptualization, diagnosis, and intervention. He is highly sought out for his guidance in the evaluation and treatment of difficult clinical cases within the Mental Health service and across the Medicine and Surgery services. An incredibly dedicated physician, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he regularly worked at the bedside of the sickest patients and ensured the maintenance of the psychiatric consult-liaison services with no interruptions.

Suchita Pakkala, MD Hematology and Medical Oncology

She has been a consummate team player, working in many different roles over her time at Emory, and has shifted between hospitals, and programs to help fill-in wherever she felt a need, and where the patients most needed her.

Brian Pollack, MD, PhD Dermatology

Dr. Pollack 's contribution at the Atlanta Veteran's Hospital Dermatology Clinic was selfless and heroic. Without his efforts, our ability to care for our veteran population and to train our resident physicians during the COVID pandemic, would simply not have been possible. He rallied all members of the care team and personally filled voids created by COVID and other calamities and did this without desire for recognition.

Sharon Rabinovitz, MD Family and Preventive Medicine

Sharon Rabinovitz, MD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, is the Executive Director of Emory's Student Health Services. Never before in Emory’s history has this Student Health leadership role had the level of importance. Dr. Rabinovitz developed SARS-CoV-2 testing protocols, implemented dormitory and campus surveillance strategies, ran contract tracing, provided care and treatment for ill students, and coordinated responses to ensure the health and safety of University students. Dr. Rabinovitz's leadership has been steadfast and forward-thinking. Her efforts were of benefit to the entire Emory University and Atlanta community. We are indeed fortunate to have Dr. Rabinovitz as our Emory Student Health Services Executive Director.

Dawn Russell, MD Gynecology and Obstetrics

Dr. Russell is devoted to providing the highest quality of care to the women of Atlanta. She is our site director for the Emory Women’s Center faculty practice at Johns Creek and the Chief of Service for Women’s Health Service at Emory Johns Creek Hospital. Dr. Russell exemplifies the definition of a team player. Despite her geographical distance from the University, she is always engaged and willing to participate in and lead departmental and hospital efforts. She is taking on a leadership role in a newly-developed faculty mentoring initiative centered around patient care and quality improvement. She brings experience, energy and ingenuity to her service and we are grateful for her dedication to our team and to our patients.

Abeed Sarker, PhD Biomedical Informatics

I nominate our recent faculty hire, Dr. Sarker for the hidden gem award for his contributions to COVID-19 and related research over the last 12 months, including the utilization of big data from non-traditional sources such as social media to conduct timely syndromic and outbreak surveillance. With funding from the CDC and in collaboration with the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Dr. Sarker is exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the substance use (specifically opioid) epidemic that is ravaging the United States. He has recently commenced a project, in collaboration with the School of Nursing and with funding from the Injury Prevention Research Center at Emory, that focuses on identifying novel, social media-based strategies for addressing the rising problem of intimate partner violence during COVID-19 and beyond. In addition, Dr. Sarker has continued to develop innovative methods that lie at the intersection of natural language processing, machine learning, and social media to study prescription drug abuse, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse under an R01 grant.

Jill Ward, PhD Cell Biology

Dr. Ward has established an independent and impactful NIH-funded research program while consistently demonstrating a strong commitment to education, mentorship, community service and diversity. Dr. Ward is a first-generation college graduate, receiving a BS degree from Auburn University and a PhD in Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology from the University of Louisville. Dr. Ward's post-doctoral training at Emory University focused on enhancing peripheral axon regeneration following nerve injury. Her lab's current research interests are to identify neuronal activity-based therapies to enhance regeneration leading to improved function and quality of life after spinal cord and peripheral nerve injuries. Dr. Ward has been a dedicated research mentor to undergraduates, graduate and medical students. Her support and mentorship of students from underrepresented groups and women in science have been exceptional. Dr. Ward is an active lecturer and lab instructor for human anatomy courses in the MD and PA programs.

Jill Wells, MD Ophthalmology

Dr. Wells is an excellent, compassionate physician. She is trained as an ophthalmic surgeon and ocular oncologist. She takes care of patients whose vision and lives are threatened by eye cancers. These patients require much attention and care, which Dr. Wells provides. Her work often preserves vision with careful surgical planning and execution. She goes beyond surgical care by arranging and following up with medical care for her patients, including cancer surveillance, and ensuring proper medical oncology care. Dr. Wells is director of the ocular oncology fellowship program and trains aspiring ocular oncologists. She is a wonderful teacher and leader. She runs the ocular oncology tumor board and ensures evidence-based treatment for her patients. She has taken on a specialty which has patients who face two of the biggest fears-dying and going blind and has performed admirably.