{"id":633,"date":"2010-04-12T11:19:25","date_gmt":"2010-04-12T15:19:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/facdev-medicine\/?page_id=633"},"modified":"2025-10-30T14:36:37","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T18:36:37","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/facdev-medicine\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Boston University Medical Campus Office of Faculty Development seeks to foster a respectful, collaborative, and inclusive environment that supports the faculty to reach their full potential. The office contributes to cultivating excellence in the educational, research, clinical, and service missions of BUMC. The Office\u2019s goal is to recruit, retain, promote, and nurture a vibrant and diverse faculty.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Leadership<\/h3>\n
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Emelia Benjamin<\/strong> Interim Associate Dean for Faculty Development, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Emelia J. Benjamin, MD, ScM,<\/a> FACC, FAHA, received her undergraduate degree at Harvard, her MD at Case Western Reserve University, and her Master\u2019s in Epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health. She is a Boston University Professor of Medicine at the Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, the Robert Dawson Evans Distinguished Professor of Medicine, and Professor of Epidemiology at the School of Public Health. She is an international leader in the epidemiology of atrial fibrillation (AF). She has been a continuously funded NIH PI or MPI since 1998 on grants related to AF, vascular function, inflammation, mobile health, and chronic pain. She is a Framingham Heart Study investigator and a Boston Medical Center (New England\u2019s largest urban safety net hospital) cardiologist. She is a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher with an H-Index >200, and she has published >800 peer-reviewed publications.<\/p>\n

She has a fundamental commitment to undergraduate, post-graduate, and faculty development and mentoring of individuals who are from underrepresented racial\/ethnic groups, women, and early-, mid-, and established investigators in epidemiology and academic health sciences. She has led diverse AHA research fellowships since 2013 and is a member of the Supporting Undergraduate Research Experiences Oversight Advisory Committee for diverse undergraduates. She is the inaugural Associate Provost for Faculty Development at Boston University Medical Campus (BUMC). She co-designed and co-led the BUMC Early-Career, Mid-Career, Underrepresented Racial\/Ethnic Group, Women\u2019s, and Clinical Leaders longitudinal faculty development programs. She recently completed the Columbia Coaching Advanced Coaching Certification Program, and coaches faculty at BUMC.<\/p>\n

Dr. Benjamin has won national awards for education (Laennec Clinician\/ Educator Lecturer, AHA Council on Clinical Cardiology), research (inducted into the Association of American Physicians and the 2022 AHA Distinguished Scientist Award, past President of the Association of University Cardiologists), mentoring (American Heart Association 2025 Eugene Braunwald Academic Mentorship Award, AHA Women in Cardiology, and AHA Functional Genomics and Translational Biology council), and diversity \u2013 the 2020 Alliance in Academic Internal Medicine Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Alyssa DiNicola<\/strong> Director of Faculty Development & Diversity<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Alyssa DiNicola, MPH received her BA in Sociology from Keene State College, and later served as an AmeriCorps*Vista for KSC, where she researched, designed and implemented assessments for service learning programs. In addition, she managed the community service office by supervising students and coordinating international service trips to both Guatemala and Jamaica. Alyssa received her MPH from Boston University.<\/p>\n

Alyssa has been working at the Boston University Medical Campus since 2016. She began in the Internal Medicine Residency Office, working as a Residency Program Coordinator, where she managed highly complex resident rotation schedules, evaluations, annual reviews and various events for 150 trainees. She also managed the Annual Health Equity Symposium, which brought together\u00a0students, trainees, healthcare professionals and community members from all disciplines to focus on issues of health equity and promote collaboration on innovative strategies to combat these inequalities. Since working at BUMC, she has been a member of the local Massachusetts Society of Medical Administrators, where she served as a general board member and communication committee liaison.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Alyssa currently serves as the Director of Faculty Development for Boston University Medical Campus, and Director for Faculty Development and Diversity for the Department of Medicine. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Equity at BU School of Public Health.<\/p>\n

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Teresa Acosta <\/strong>Assistant Program Manager of Faculty Development & Diversity<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Teresa Acosta received her BA in Biology and Human Rights from Southern Methodist University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health with concentrations in Global Health and Maternal & Child Health at Boston University School of Public Health.<\/p>\n

During her time at SMU, Teresa served as a member of the SMU Global Medical Brigades student organization, an international movement of students and medical professionals working alongside local communities and staff to implement sustainable health systems. She worked in remote, rural, and under-resourced communities in Accra, Ghana. Each community receives a brigade every 3 to 4 months where hundreds of patients are provided access to healthcare and volunteers deliver public health workshops. In conjunction with the Medical Program, Global Brigades also supports communities with economic development, sanitation, and clean water projects, and uniquely implements these programs in a holistic model to meet a community\u2019s health and economic goals. Amplifying the Ekumfi district of Ghana, Teresa distributed medical supplies to 800 community members and built four biodigesters to meet the sanitary needs of the community.<\/p>\n

Teresa currently serves as the Assistant Program Manager of Faculty Development for Boston University Medical Campus, and Assistant Program Manager for Faculty Development and Diversity for the Department of Medicine.<\/p>\n

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Zoe Sanchez<\/strong> Research Coordinator for Faculty Development & Diversity<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Zoe Sanchez, MS received her BA in Psychology from Boston University and her Master of Science in Nutrition and Metabolism from Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian<\/span> School of Medicine.<\/p>\n

During her time at BU, Zoe has focused her work in clinical research with a strong focus on health equity. She manages and supports research studies centered on Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in diverse patient populations, particularly within safety-net hospital settings. Her work involves close collaboration with clinicians, direct patient engagement, and coordinating with faculty across Boston University. With experience in study design, data collection, program management, and interdisciplinary communication, she is committed to advancing equitable care.<\/p>\n

Zoe currently serves as the Research Coordinator for Faculty Development for Boston University Medical Campus.<\/p>\n

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Program Facilitators<\/h4>
<\/strong><\/p>\n
Clinician Educator Leadership Program<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Course Directors: Hollis Day<\/a>, MD, MS, MHPE & Julia F. Aquino<\/a>, MD<\/p>\n

Hollis Day, MD, MS, MHPE has been Chief of Geriatrics at Boston Medical Center Corp. since December 16, 2015. Dr. Day joined BMC\/BUSM from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) where she specialized in geriatrics, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPSM) where she was advisory dean, associate professor of medicine, and the medical director of the Advanced Clinical Education Center.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Julia<\/p>\n

Dr. Julia F. Aquino is a pediatric emergency medicine physician in Cambridge, Massachusetts and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Tufts Medical Center and Winchester Hospital. She received her medical degree from University of Virginia School of Medicine and has been in practice between 11-20 years.<\/p>\n

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Early Career Program<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Course Director:\u00a0Demian Szyld<\/a>, MD, EdM<\/span><\/p>\n

Demian Szyld (pronounced \u201cshield\u201d), is an Attending Physician at Boston Medical Center where he cares for acutely ill and injured and enjoys being on high performance teams and teaching at the bedside. He is the Director of Innovation in Education. From 2016-2021 he was the Senior Director of the Institute for Medical Simulation \u2013 the Faculty Development Program at the Center for Medical Simulation. He practiced Emergency Medicine at the Brigham and Women\u2019s Hospital (BWH) and was a Lecturer at Harvard Medical School.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Evans Student Scholars Program<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Course Directors:\u00a0Sheila E. Chapman<\/a>, MD and\u00a0Kaku So-Armah<\/a>, PhD<\/p>\n

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Sheila Chapman is the Associate Chair for Diversity and inclusion in the Department of Medicine. Her clinical and educational roles have expanded to include development and implementation of a summer program for CASOM rising second year students from underrepresented groups in medicine (URiMs) the Evans Student Scholars Program (ESS), development and implementation of the Willock Faculty Development Program (for BUMC URiM faculty) and serving as a coach for the Patient Experience team.<\/p>\n

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Kaku So-Armah is an epidemiologist with expertise in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of cohort studies and use of electronic health record data for research. His lab uses molecular biology coupled with data on health behaviors, risk factors and disease diagnoses to identify and explain novel epidemiological associations and identify novel intervention targets. His research focuses on substance use and chronic infections like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and tuberculosis (TB) and how these exposures impact the heart, liver and lungs.<\/p>\n

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Marcelle M. Willock, MD, Faculty Development & Diversity Program<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Course Directors: Ricardo Cruz<\/a>, MD, and Sheila E. Chapman<\/a>, MD<\/p>\n

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Ricardo Cruz, MD, MPH, MA, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center. He is primary care physician at Boston Medical Center in the Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine. He is a graduate of Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine (BUSM) and the Boston University School of Public Health earning his MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.<\/p>\n

\"\"Sheila Chapman is the Associate Chair for Diversity and inclusion in the Department of Medicine. Her clinical and educational roles have expanded to include development and implementation of a summer program for CASOM rising second year students from underrepresented groups in medicine (URiMs) the Evans Student Scholars Program (ESS), development and implementation of the Willock Faculty Development Program (for BUMC URiM faculty) and serving as a coach for the Patient Experience team.<\/p>\n

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Mid-Career Faculty Leadership Program<\/b><\/h5>\n

Course Directors: Christopher Conley<\/a>, MD, Elisha Wachman<\/a>, PhD, Emelia J. Benjamin<\/a>, MD, ScM and Alyssa M. DiNicola, BA<\/p>\n

\"\"Christopher Conley, MD, is a practicing Anesthesiologist at Boston Medical Center, with board certifications in Anesthesiology and Pediatric Anesthesiology. He serves as Director of Pediatric Anesthesia at BMC, where he oversees inpatient and outpatient pediatric anesthesia in the operating rooms, diagnostic imaging, interventional radiology and endoscopy.<\/p>\n

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Dr. Wachman is an attending neonatologist at Boston Medical Center (BMC) and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics. She is the Director of Pediatric Academic Research at BMC. Her areas of interest include substance use disorders in pregnancy and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Narrative Writing Program<\/b><\/h5>\n

Course Directors:\u00a0Sarah Wingerter<\/a>, MD, and\u00a0Jennifer Beard<\/a>, PhD, MPH, MA<\/p>\n

\"\"Sarah Wingerter is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, where she has served as Director of Narrative Medicine for the Department of Pediatrics and has designed and led numerous narrative-medicine and narrative-writing initiatives\u2014including reflective writing workshops for faculty and trainees–on the BU medical campus and at other local institutions. She currently is Director of the Boston University Medical Campus Narrative Writing Program for faculty and is Course Director for the Illness Narratives elective for fourth-year medical students.<\/p>\n

\"\"Jennifer Beard, PhD, MA, MPH, is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Global Health at Boston University School of Public Health, the Associate Editor of Public Health Post, and an Assistant Director for Narrative in the Center for Antiracist Research. She developed and leads the BUSPH Public Health Writing Program and also directs the MPH Global Health Certificate. She created and teaches courses in global mental health, global health storytelling, and public health writing.<\/p>\n

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BUMC Leadership Program<\/b><\/h5>\n

Course Directors: Emelia J. Benjamin<\/a>, MD, ScM and Alyssa M. DiNicola, MPH<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Emelia J. Benjamin, MD, ScM, is a Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at Boston University and is a clinical cardiologist at Boston Medical Center. She serves as Interim Associate Dean for Faculty Development, Faculty Development, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Alyssa DiNicola, MPH received her BA in Sociology from Keene State College, and her MPH from Boston University. She serves as the Director of Faculty Development for Boston University Medical Campus, and Director for Faculty Development and Diversity for the Department of Medicine.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

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For more information about our programs, please contact us at bumcfdd@bu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n
T<\/div>\n
Phyllis Carr<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Michelle David<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Isabel Dominguez<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Karen Freund<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Caroline Genco<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Michael Ieong<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Angela Jackson<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Stephanie Lee<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Paul Lelorier<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Sharon Levine<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Jane Liebschutz<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Maria LoSurdo (cc:)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Katherine Lupton<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Paola Massari<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Sara Nadelman (cc:)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Subha Ramani<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Carol Rosenberg<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Matthew Russell<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Faina Schwartz<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Adam Segal<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Chris Shanahan<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Rebecca Silliman<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Catherine Yu<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Boston University Medical Campus Office of Faculty Development seeks to foster a respectful, collaborative, and inclusive environment that supports the faculty to reach their full potential. The office contributes to cultivating excellence in the educational, research, clinical, and service missions of BUMC. The Office\u2019s goal is to recruit, retain, promote, and nurture a vibrant […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1250,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":7,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/facdev-medicine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/633"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/facdev-medicine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/facdev-medicine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/facdev-medicine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1250"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/facdev-medicine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=633"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/facdev-medicine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/633\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13985,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/facdev-medicine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/633\/revisions\/13985"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/facdev-medicine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=633"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}