24 faculty named 2022 Champions of Clinical Learning Environment


By By Roman Petrowski, Office of Communications
July 7, 2022

Congratulations Dr. Guardiola, Dr. Omoruyi, and Dr. Yeragi!

2022 Champions of Learning Environment

In an effort to continue to enhance professionalism and encourage a positive learning environment, Directors of Learning Environment Vineeth John, MD, MBA, and John Riggs, MD, have announced 24 McGovern Medical School faculty as the 2022 Champions of Clinical Learning Environment.

Selected for upholding aspects of a positive and vibrant learning environment, the Champions of Learning Environment create opportunities to promote and encourage professionalism amongst all of their colleagues.

The process of selecting the faculty involved a detailed review of the Learning Environment Survey (LES) completed by third-year medical students to choose faculty who are consistently described as exceptional role models. In the survey, medical students were effusive in their praise and pointed out hundreds of faculty members who demonstrated patient-centered teaching and care, served as role models of care and compassion toward learners and patients, and exemplified professional behavior while consistently demonstrating respect for the learner, patient, and other health care providers.

In addition, the faculty members received accolades for being enthusiastic and creating enjoyable and safe learning environments.

2022 awardees for the Champions of Learning Environment are:
Gabriel Aisenberg, MD, associate professor, Internal Medicine
Dean Atkinson, MD, assistant professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Karthik Bhandari, MD, assistant professor, Internal Medicine
Kawal Bir, MD, assistant professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Shivika Chandra, MD, assistant professor, Neurology
Jenny Duret-Uzodinma, MD, associate professor, OBGYN
Shira Goldstein, MD, assistant professor, Family and Community Medicine
Amalia Guardiola, MD, assistant professor, Pediatrics
Gregory Hestla, MD, assistant professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Sara Holcombe, DO, associate professor, OBGYN
Todd Huzar, MD, associate professor, Surgery
Saleem Khan, MD, professor, Surgery
John Lincoln, MD, associate professor, Neurology
Louise McCullough, MD, PhD, professor and Roy M. and Phyllis Gough Huffington Distinguished Chair, Neurology
Terry McDermott, MD, assistant professor, Family and Community Medicine
Cristina Murdock, MD, assistant professor, Internal Medicine
Emma Omoruyi, MD, MPH, associate professor, Pediatrics
Soraira Pacheco, DO, MS, assistant professor, Internal Medicine
Rex Paulino, MD, assistant professor, Internal Medicine
Ethan Taub, DO, assistant professor, Surgery
Carol Tran-Cao, MD, assistant professor, OBGYN
Robby Wesley, DO, associate professor, Internal Medicine
Prajakta Yeragi, MD, assistant professor, Pediatrics
Elena Zamora, MD, assistant professor, Family and Community Medicine