Medicine | Page 4

2025 April STARDoM Awardees!!

Please join us in congratulating this month's STARDoM awardees, Maddie Bockus and Natalia Gnatienko!!

Maddie Bockus

"One of the things that make her special is the ability to be proactive and innovative in her work. She takes the effort to investigate all options, try out new approaches, and really be thoughtful of the pros and cons for end users. We are extremely blessed to have her in our section."

Job Title: Writing & Communications Coordinator

How many years have you been at BUSM/BMC? 1 year, 3 months

Describe your role within the Department of Medicine: I am a Writing & Communications Coordinator for the Section of General Internal Medicine. In my role, I coordinate internal and external communications, write nomination letters, letters of support, and letters for appointment/promotion, & provide writing/editing support for faculty working on manuscripts.

What do you like best about your job? I love to write, so I really appreciate that I get to work on so many different types of writing projects (original research, letter writing, commentaries, website posts, etc.). I also love working with so many different faculty and staff across the Section & learning about their work!

Favorite thing to do outside of work? Exploring new restaurants in the city with my friends (I’m a major foodie)

Little known fact: I love to travel! I hope to eventually travel to every continent (4/7 so far). I recently took a trip to Argentina, which was my first time in South America.

Natalia Gnatienko

"Natalia is an exceptional employee and an outstanding manager who consistently goes above and beyond in her role. She is not only highly knowledgeable but also incredibly supportive, always willing to share her expertise and assist others. Whether answering questions, guiding her team, or stepping in to help wherever needed, Natalia’s dedication and willingness to support those around her make her a true asset to the organization."

Job Title: Clinical Research Director

How many years have you been at BUSM/BMC? 16

Describe your role within the Department of Medicine: I oversee a number of research initiatives within the Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit (CARE), mostly focusing on studies that are conducted internationally at the intersection of substance use and HIV.

What do you like best about your job? I love the people! This includes the incredible colleagues and mentors at BMC and collaborators from other countries and institutions. Everyone is really passionate about the research that we do and it is exciting to contribute to this work! I also like the opportunity to work on multiple projects simultaneously. In a span of one day, I can have a call with our Ugandan partners in the morning to discuss an HIV/alcohol/TB project, followed by a study check-in with our team in Ukraine where we work to understand patterns of substance use among internally displaced people, and end the day submitting an IRB application for a new project that would collect data from communities in MA. The variety keeps the work interesting!

Favorite thing to do outside of work? Spend time with my family!

Little known fact: I recently started learning to play the violin (alongside my son) and I love it… can’t say the same for those who have to listen to me practice!

DoM Faculty Appointments and Promotions – March 2025

Congratulations to the following Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine faculty on their recent appointment or promotion!

Associate Professor

Gene Kwan, MD, MPH, Medicine/Cardiovascular Medicine, is a global health clinical scientist who studies health services to identify and treat cardiovascular disease in rural low-income countries. He uses implementation science to test strategies for heart failure and hypertension care particularly in Haiti, Rwanda and other countries in Africa. He studies how to improve access to echocardiography by training nurses and mid-level providers to diagnose and treat cardiac disease. Dr. Kwan is a health policy advisor to the governments of Haiti and Rwanda and an advisor to the Lancet Commission on Reframing Non-Communicable Diseases and Injuries for the Poorest Billion. He was invited to the NHLBI-sponsored workshop on Sustaining Global Capacity on Implementing Research for Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, and Fogarty International Center’s Non-Communicable Disease networking meetings. Dr. Kwan is a sought-after research mentor for local and international trainees and has been repeatedly recognized for his clinical acumen, teaching and mentoring accomplishments.

Ivan Luptak, MD, PhD, Medicine/Cardiovascular Medicine, is a physician-scientist specializing in cardiac metabolism. His research focuses on the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiovascular disease, utilizing advanced multinuclear magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy techniques. By measuring the contribution of fuel sources–such as glucose and fatty acids–to mitochondrial energy production and assessing the turnover of energy-carrying molecules like ATP in beating hearts, Dr. Luptak has made significant contributions to the field. His work has advanced the understanding of cardiovascular pathophysiology and yielded important translational insights with potential therapeutic impact.

Clinical Associate Professor

Shivda Pandey, MBBS, Medicine/Cardiovascular Medicine, is an imaging specialist with advanced training in nuclear cardiology. A staff cardiologist at Boston Medical Center (BMC), she provides clinical services in the outpatient and inpatient settings, and in the echocardiography and nuclear medicine laboratories. Her advanced training in nuclear cardiology has been critical to the development and growth of this sub-section, which she has directed since 2016. She has played a central role in the advancement of Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Cardiac Amyloidosis Radionuclide Imaging at BMC and is the primary cardiologist performing and interpreting nuclear stress tests.

2025 DoM DEIA Pilot Grant Awardees!!

The Department of Medicine launched its inaugural Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Pilot Grant program this year, supporting innovative projects led by interdisciplinary teams of faculty, trainees, and staff. Proposals focused on improving clinical care, education, workforce development, community engagement, and research to advance DEIA across the department.

The first annual DEIA Pilot Grant recipients are:

Jessica Fetterman, PhD (Vascular Biology): Tissue is the Issue: Exploring Barriers and Facilitators to Postmortem Organ Donation for Research to Diversify Cardiac Biobanks. A proposed study to understand limited representation of historically marginalized racial/ethnic groups in postmortem organ biobanks. They plan to use surveys and town halls including Framingham Heart Study and BMC patients to achieve this goal. Team members include Deepa M. Gopal, MD, MS, Jesse D. Moreira-Bouchard, PhD, Zachary Milstone, MD, PhD, Anna Zhebrun, Joshua Lepson, Karen Li, Jason Cunha, MS, Nathanial Fisher, MS, Anjali Anilkumar, Hahnbie Kim, Cosette Giroux, and Zoe Trainer.

Elliot Hagedorn, PhD (Hematology & Oncology): Reaching Further with the BU-BMC Summer Science Scholars Outreach Program. The team proposes to expand an existing high school research training program to include more longitudinal mentoring, cohort collaboration, shadowing, and peer/alumni engagement. Co-directors are Dr. Gwen Beacham and Zewde Ingram.

Lucy Schulson, MD, MPH (GIM): IMPACT-IRHC: Implementation of MedAction Plan in BMC’s Resident Immigrant and Refugee Health Clinic. A proposed pilot the implementation of a multi-lingual transitions of care document written at a 5th grade reading level (MedAction Plan) in BMC primary care clinics after adapting it for BMC immigrant/refugee patients. Co-investigators are Drs. Sarah Kimball and Kirsten Austad.

Join us in congratulating the DEIA Pilot Grant awardees!!

DoM Research Award Recipients!

The Department of Medicine proudly recognizes the recipients of its inaugural Research Awards for their outstanding contributions to scientific discovery and innovation. Their dedication and passion have not only advanced their respective fields but have also enriched the community and set a high standard for future research excellence.

Research Excellence Awards

Valerie Gouon-Evans, PharmD, PhD
Vaishali Sanchorawala, MD

Early Career Research Award

Titilayo Ilori, MD, MSc

Interdisciplinary Research Awards

Elizabeth Klings, MD
Mari-Lynn Drainoni, PhD, MEd

Research Excellence Society

Hussein Assi, MD
Ruben Dries, PhD
Christopher Heaphy, PhD
Elliott Hagedorn, PhD
Jeffrey Samet, MD, MA, MPH
Carl Streed, MD, MPH, FACP
Gustavo Mostoslavsky, MD, PhD
Kim Vanuytsel, PhD

Congratulations to all the awardees!

Submit a nomination here!

Incoming Interns for Class of 2028!

The Department of Medicine is excited to share the results of this year’s NRMP residency match. It has successfully matched an outstanding class of well-rounded individuals who will be joining for the upcoming academic year. As shown in the graphic below, the department has attracted a diverse cohort of talented individuals from across the country and around the world.

A sincere thank you goes to the faculty for their support throughout this recruitment season. Their involvement plays a vital role in attracting the best and brightest to join BMC.

Click here to see the 2025-2026 Intern Class!

Mark A. Moskowitz Annual Memorial General Internal Medicine Grand Rounds Lecture

2025 DoM DEIA Week Recap!

The Department of Medicine’s annual Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Week brought together faculty, staff, trainees, and community members for a series of engaging and impactful events from March 10-14.

Monday, March 10

Poster Showcase + Oral Presentations
Hiebert Lounge | 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
The week kicked off with an inspiring showcase of DEIA-focused research, education, programming, and patient care initiatives. Faculty, staff, and trainees presented their posters highlighting ongoing efforts to advance equity in medicine. The morning featured oral presentations, providing attendees with deeper insights into innovative DEIA projects.

Tuesday, March 11

Panel Discussion: Molding a Culture – Turning Intention into Action
Hiebert Lounge | 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Tuesday’s event emphasized transforming DEIA goals into concrete actions. A distinguished panel discussed strategies for fostering inclusive workplace environments, leadership development, and community engagement. Attendees participated in breakout discussions, brainstorming three actionable ways to integrate DEIA principles into daily life and forming new collaborations to drive change.

Wednesday, March 12

Wellness Wednesday
Evans Conference Rooms | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Midweek, participants took a moment to focus on well-being through a variety of wellness-centered activities. Highlights included:

Virtual Workshop: Managing Change and Uncertainty with BU FSAO
Food & Nutrition Pre-ARC Lunch: “Food as a Unifier & Cultural Humility”
Acupuncture Sessions
Puppies & Lunch!
Learn to Make Paper Cranes with Mike Galatis

Thursday, March 13

DEIA Week Celebration
Hiebert Lounge | 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Attendees gathered for an evening of art, food, drinks, and camaraderie, celebrating the department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Friday, March 14

Grand Rounds: Conversations on Accessibility
Keefer Auditorium | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
The week concluded with a compelling Grand Rounds presentation by Dr. Lisa I. Iezzoni, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Iezzoni’s talk, Conversations on Accessibility, shed light on critical issues related to accessibility in healthcare and academia, inspiring attendees to advocate for more inclusive practices.

We look forward to continuing these important conversations and initiatives in the future. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make DEIA Week a success!

Thriving Together: Advancing Health, Cultivating Leaders and Collaborating on Community Solutions | April 25, 2025

Thriving Together: Advancing Health, Cultivating Leaders and Collaborating on Community Solutions
Friday, April 25, 2025

Agenda | Abstract Compilation

On April 25, 2025, the inaugural “Thriving Together: Advancing Health, Cultivating Leaders and Collaborating on Community Solutions,” will bring together a group of deeply committed community partners and emerging health professional leaders. We will share best practices and cement our collaborations for the future of improving community health and health care access in the Greater Boston Area.

The Summit is being hosted by the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, and People Power Health.

Summit Goals:

Create a shared platform for trainees and early-career professionals across disciplines (including but not limited to medicine, nursing, public health), and community-based organizations (CBOs) in the Greater Boston Area to share best practices for closing health gaps in the community (advocacy, education, research, health care innovation) through talks, poster presentations and relationship building.
Foster sustainable and enduring connection and collaboration between future health professionals and CBOs who wish to work together to advance health for the Greater Boston Area.
Support the work of future health professionals and CBOs by providing networking and funding opportunities.

When: Friday, April 25, 2025 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Morning workshops, community power activities and analysis, relationship building, and lunch.
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Afternoon networking activities, panel discussions, topical breakout sessions, and emerging leaders and community partners spotlights.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

A culminating poster session highlighting completed projects and works in progress that demonstrate successful activities in promotion of health in the Greater Boston Area.

Where: Hiebert Lounge, at Boston University Medical Campus, 72 E Concord St, Boston, MA

Who: Attendees include trainees and early-career professionals across disciplines (including but not limited to medicine, nursing, public health, social work, pharmacy, etc), community partners, public and private sector collaborators, with a shared commitment to improving health for communities in the Greater Boston Area.

DoM Top Docs 2025

We are excited to announce this year's DoM top docs! Learn more here.

Cardiology
Gary J. Balady, MD
Sheilah A. Bernard, MD
Robert T. Eberhardt, MD
Omar K. Siddiqi, MD
Claudia P. Hochberg, MD
Anthony D. Litvak, MD
Ashvin N. Pande, MD

Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism
Sara M. Alexanian, MD
Sonia Ananthakrishnan, MD
Beth M. Cohen, MD
Alan P. Farwell, MD
Shirin Haddady, MD, MPH
Stephanie L. Lee, MD, PhD
Elizabeth N. Pearce, MD

Gastroenterology
Christopher S. Huang, MD
David R. Lichtenstein, MD
Robert C. Lowe, MD
David P. Nunes, MD

Geriatrics
Heidi P. Auerbach, MD
Lisa B. Caruso, MD
Hollis D. Day, MD, MS, MHPE
Won M. Lee, MD

Hematology & Medical Oncology
Gretchen A. Gignac, MD
Matthew Kulke, MD
Adam Lerner, MD
Vaishali Sanchorawala, MD
J. Mark Sloan, MD

Infectious Disease
Carlos J. Acuna-Villaorduna, MD
Sabrina A. Assoumou, MD, MPH

General Internal Medicine
Melissa D. DiPetrillo, MD
Warren Y. Hershman, MD, MPH
Angela H. Jackson, MD
Susan L. Phillips, MD
Jeffrey H. Samet, MD, MA, MPH
Carl G. Streed, MD, MPH, FACP
Charles P. Tifft, MD

Nephrology
Laurence H. Beck, MD
Jasvinder S. Bhatia, MD
Jean M. Francis, MD
Lauren D. Stern, MD

Pulmonary
John Bernardo, MD
Nicholas A. Bosch, MD
Christine L. Campbell-Reardon, MD
Finn J. Hawkins, MB, BCh
Elizabeth S. Klings, MD
Frederic F. Little, MD
George T. O'Connor, MD

Rheumatology
Andreea M. Bujor, MD, PhD
Monica P. Crespo-Bosque, MD
David T. Felson, MD, MPH
Eugene Y. Kissin, MD
Tuhina Neogi, MD, PhD
Michael R. York, MD

DEIA Week: Poster Submissions and Contribute to DEIA Week Celebration!

The Department of Medicine will hold its second annual Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Week March 10 - March 14, 2025. In the DoM, we are dedicated to fostering a workplace that values and celebrates diversity, promotes equity, ensures inclusion, and prioritizes accessibility. We firmly believe that our collective differences make us stronger, and we are committed to creating an environment where all individuals, regardless of their background, feel valued, respected, and empowered.

Monday, March 10th

Poster Showcase | Hiebert Lounge (Lunch will be served) | 11:30AM-1:30PM

Posters created by DoM faculty, staff, and trainees to illustrate the ongoing DEIA work in the areas of research, education, programming, patient care, and beyond.