FACULTY RESEARCHER
Aneesh K. Mehta, MD
99C 06MR 09FM
Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Professor of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, Distinguished Physician, Emory University School of Medicine. Completed his undergraduate degree, residency, fellowship, and extensive research training at Emory. Joined as a faculty member in 2009.
Please share your education and training that you had here at Emory.
I first came to Emory in 1995 for my undergraduate studies. I then returned to Emory in 2003 for my Internal Medicine Residency. I stayed at Emory for my Infectious Diseases fellowship from 2006–2009, spending the last two years focused on research training in transplant Immunology with Chris Larsen, MD, PhD, and clinical training in Transplant Infectious Diseases with Marshall Lyon, MD.
What drew you to Emory, and what has made you stay?
I first came to Emory for medical training because I wanted to work at Grady Memorial Hospital. I knew it would be the best place to develop my clinical skills and learn how to be a great physician. As a medical student in Oklahoma, I did not get a sub-intern rotation at Grady or anywhere at Emory. However, I did get a rotation on the Infectious Diseases consult service at EUH. I rotated with Dr. Somani, who was studying infectious diseases in immunocompromised hosts, which would become my primary area of clinical interest. I also rounded with Bruce Ribner, MD, MPH, who became one of my mentors as a faculty member and introduced me to Special Pathogens preparedness. During this rotation, Carlos Del Rio, MD, pulled me aside one afternoon and allowed me to talk to him about and get advice on my career aspirations. I believe this conversation to be one of the most meaningful for developing my training and career at Emory.
Through my training years, I grew to love all the hospitals in our system for their unique culture and vast training to care for all kinds of patients in every type of setting. The diversity of colleagues, their approaches to medicine, the patients, the disease processes, and the settings, all of which drive us to understand the application of medical science to the individual patient in their context… This is what has kept me at Emory all these years. J. Willis Hurst, MD, introduced himself to me on my first day as an intern by his PGY year; as he explained, we are always learning to be great doctors. The patients we get to see and the colleagues we get to work with here at Emory drive me each day to try to be the great doctor that Dr. Hurst envisioned we could be.
What is a highlight of your time at Emory?
I have so many great memories and impactful moments from my 25-plus years at Emory. It is hard to pick one. I guess the one that comes to mind most today is the day after we discharged the first two Ebola patients from the Emory Serious Communicable Diseases Unit. We had the opportunity to decompress and reflect on the unique achievements we had accomplished with these two patients. This immediately transitioned into discussions on how we could better and more next time. We did not know that there would be a next time, but that day of reflection led to a process of evolving our biocontainment program at Emory, which in turn led to a coordinated effort across the country. The result of all of these efforts eventually led to Emory helping to lead the HHS ASPR National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC), and more recently leading the development of the National Special Pathogens System of Care (NSPS). This is reflective of the spirit of Emory… we can reflect back briefly and be proud of our accomplishments, but then we turn that energy to be better for the next patient and the next challenge! #OnlyAtEmory
Who has made an impact on your time at Emory and the Department of Medicine?
In my first year or so as faculty, the DOM hosted a meeting on models of mentorship. During that meeting, Stacy M. Higgins, MD, FACP, MACP, Jada Bussey-Jones, MD, FACP, MACP, and Kimberly Manning, MD, MACP, described their peer mentorship model. That was eye-opening for me. My friend and colleague Colleen Kraft, MD, was also there, and we decided we wanted to create a similar peer-mentor group. We recruited Jay Varkey, MD, to join us. We have been meeting regularly and ad hoc for 15 years now, and talk about all kinds of professional, personal, and world issues. Having this support system with please Emory colleagues, and many others, has been the most impactful aspect of my time at Emory.
Why would you encourage others to come to Emory?
It is one of the most collegial academic environments that I have seen, filled with so many great people that you want to learn from and grow with every day.
STAFF
Jason Freiji, MBA
22MBA
Administrator, Division of General Internal Medicine and Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology. Received his Master of Business Administration from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School
What drew you to Emory, and what has made you stay?
I was attracted to Emory for its exceptional reputation and the opportunities it offers. Throughout my career, Emory has provided me with the chance to work alongside world-class professionals on meaningful and impactful missions. Academically, Emory’s business school stands among the best, offering a truly outstanding MBA program. I knew that earning an MBA from Emory would provide the strongest foundation to advance my career and reach my future goals.
Can you share a highlight from your time at Emory?
The highlight of my time at Emory has been the professional growth I’ve experienced. I’ve gained valuable insights into management, finance, and operations, and have been able to apply that knowledge in meaningful, real-world situations. This experience has strengthened my ability to set goals, think strategically, and respond effectively to new challenges.
Who has made an impact on your time at Emory and the Department of Medicine?
The people I work with have had the greatest impact on me. I’ve learned so much from the talented and dedicated professionals around me, whose expertise and passion continue to inspire me every day. I’ve been fortunate to have amazing mentors and collaborators who have guided me and helped me grow both personally and professionally. I truly consider the departments and divisions I work with to be like family — their support has been invaluable and has made a lasting difference in my experience.
Why would you encourage others to come to Emory?
Emory is a truly special place to work. Our mission — to educate the next generation, care for our patients, and advance groundbreaking research — is both meaningful and inspiring. Now more than ever, we need talented and passionate individuals who are eager to contribute to this important work and help carry our missions forward.
FACULTY
Karen Law, MD
08MR 09CMR 11FM
Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology; Associate Vice Chair of Education, Department of Medicine. Completed her residency and fellowship training at Emory. Served as chief resident. Joined Emory as a faculty member in 2011
What drew you to Emory, and what has made you stay?
I was looking for clinical rigor and a resident culture that really cares for each other and invests in community. All of those things (and more!) were true during training, and also true among the faculty.
Can you share a highlight from your time at Emory?
Too many to count. During my own training, the camaraderie and growth on night float are core memories. I also really, really loved my Friday afternoon Grady clinic in Green Pod. I actually have two patients from the residency clinic that I still care for today, which is so special. More recent highlights are seeing our people at all phases of training and career grow and succeed, whether it’s the success of providing excellent care to a complicated patient on a long call day, presenting research at a major scientific meeting, or landing the fellowship or job of their choice.
Who has made an impact on your time at Emory and the Department of Medicine?
Given the extraordinary legacy of the DOM, we stand on the shoulders of giants. I am so lucky to have learned from Nanette Wenger, MD, Carlos del Rio, MD, MACP, FIDSA, Joyce Doyle, MD, J. Willis Hurst, MD, and so many other extraordinary teachers during my residency training. And I continue to learn from our faculty and trainees every day; they are what attracted me to Emory, and what has made it such a rewarding destination both personally and professionally.
Note, as of 2026, Dr. Law has left Emory.
RESIDENT
Eric Bethea, MD, MPH
22M 22PH 25MR
Chief Resident in Quality and Safety, VA Health System, Internal Medicine Resident, J. Willis Hurst Internal Medicine Residency Program. Completed his MD/MPH and residency at Emory.
Please share your education and training that you completed here at Emory.
I completed the combined MD/MPH at Emory SOM and Rollins School of Public Health. I just graduated from Emory’s Internal Medicine Residency earlier this year.
What drew you to Emory, and what has made you stay?
As a Georgia native, I was familiar with Emory and Grady and their reputation for providing world-class care. Attending Emory for medical school and residency gave me the chance to stay near home and my significant other (who also matched at Emory) while also getting a quality training experience. Since starting, I have been impressed by the number of smart but kind and approachable residents and faculty that the program attracts and recruits. Emory’s wide scope in the Atlanta and Georgia community also lends itself to multiple opportunities.
Can you share a highlight from your time at Emory?
I really liked the broad range of pathology that I was able to see during my time at Emory. I have had the privilege of taking care of LVAD patients, patients living with advanced HIV, patients undergoing cutting-edge cancer therapies, transplant patients with exotic infections, and so many others. These were all things that I did not think I would ever see so up close in my life, let alone within three years in a general internal medicine program.
Who has made an impact on your time at Emory and the Department of Medicine?
The DOM faculty is full of kind, creative, and driven physicians who have mentored me along the way in my training within Internal Medicine and within the different subspecialties.
Why would you encourage others to come to Emory?
I think Emory provides a unique training environment by rotating at four different hospitals with very distinct patient populations. The diverse training experience can help inform not only a potential resident’s clinical practice but also their perspective on future career choices. Atlanta is also a great city to train in by combining some of the aspects of metropolitan living with southern culture (and cooking)! For people interested in public health, Emory’s proximity to the CDC and relationship with the School of Public Health make it a great place to network and find connections. The atmosphere is also collegial at Emory, with virtually all faculty being approachable. Many of these faculty are leaders in their fields or hold leadership positions, so the mentoring opportunities are numerous and invaluable.
FELLOW
Lily Bonadonna, MD
25MR
Infectious Diseases Fellow and past Emory Internal Medicine Resident. She is now in her first year of the Infectious Disease Fellowship Program.
Please share your education and training that you completed here at Emory.
I completed residency in internal medicine at Emory, and now I am in my first year of Infectious disease fellowship.
What drew you to Emory, and what has made you stay?
I knew I’ve wanted to do infectious diseases for a long time, so I was looking for a residency program that would set me up with great internal medicine training and connect me with ID opportunities. A big, diverse city with a public safety-net hospital and academic medical center was a huge draw for me as well.
Can you share a highlight from your time at Emory?
I have enjoyed my time at the Ponce Clinic – HIV primary care. There are so many resources for our patients, and all of the staff are very mission-driven and humble. They are so fun and helpful to be around.
Who has made an impact on your time at Emory and the Department of Medicine?
So many people, including Anandi N. Sheth, MD, MSc, FIDSA, Valeria Cantos, MD, Paulina Rebolledo, MD, MSc, Carlos Saldana, MD, Karen Law, MD, Danielle Jones, MD, Reena Hemrajani, MD, Susan Ray, MD, and the list goes on and on. I find mentors everywhere!
Why would you encourage others to come to Emory?
Of course! Great training amongst so many brilliant, but approachable people. I really love that I get to work with many of my colleagues who have become my friends!