UA Women in Academic Medicine Spotlighting 20 Physicians for ‘Women in Medicine’ Month

Women in Medicine banner - Celebrating our legacy, embracing our futureSeptember is the American Medical Association’s Women in Medicine (WIM) Month, which serves to showcase the accomplishments of women physicians as well as highlight advocacy related to women physicians and health issues impacting women patients.

As part of that effort, the University of Arizona’s Women in Academic Medicine (WAM) chapter is spotlighting some of the extraordinary female researchers and physicians whose work and leadership have inspired many here at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson. They’re doing so via social media (Twitter and Facebook; see: @UAWomenAcadMed or #WomenInMedicine) and the UAHS Campus Update email memos.

EXTRA INFO: Well, Wine Not? Social Mixer at Union Public House

UofA block 'A' in red circle iconUA-Women in Academic Medicine WAM Social Mixer at Union Public House flyer
@UAWomenAcadMed • Sep 6

Who’s up for some fun?!
It’s time to mix and mingle at Union Public House, 9/16 from 6-8pm.
You should have gotten an email! Please RSVP.
#WomenInMedicine For Faculty -women and #HeForShe  .
Cultivating happiness in Medicine. @BannerUnivMed @UAMedTucson

Click here on image above right to view the flyer for this event.

The WAM Steering Committee received nominations of many impressive UA women in medicine and has chosen the bios of 20 women to share in the campaign.

Since this news item was posted Sept. 10 when three of those spotlighted were with the UA Department of Medicine, two more DOM faculty members have been added (click on names below to see their WAM Women in Medicine Month profile):

Serena Scott, MDSerena Scott, MD, MBA | Sept. 23, 2019
Assistant Professor, Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, General Internal Medicine and Palliative Medicine
Sub-Internship Director, Department of Medicine


Her colleague wrote, "Dr. Scott is an exemplary clinical educator, and is a role model for faculty, residents and students. For example, she is leading the effort to bring bedside teaching back in both inpatient and outpatient settings. In addition to her advocacy, she has taken a lead in training our faculty in the skills to teach residents and students at the bedside. Dr. Scott is exceptional at clinical operations, and is devoted to developing and implementing – and communicating! – faculty and patient centered approaches to solving the challenges of clinical access, efficiency, timeliness, quality, equity and satisfaction."

Julia Jernberg, MDJulia B. Jernberg, MD | Sept. 17, 2019
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, General Internal Medicine and Palliative Medicine
Ambulatory Medicine, Block Director

Her colleague wrote, "Julia is a consummate teacher who uses creative approaches to engage, educate, and kindle a passion for learning in her Ambulatory Medicine students. She encourages students to view their patients as people dealing with medical conditions, rather than as sources of differential diagnoses. As a clinician, Julia excels in both the inpatient and outpatient setting and sets a very high standard for herself and her team members. She views her clinical activities as a chance to improve both the health of her patients, as well as the education of her residents and students."

Dr. Elizabeth JunemanElizabeth B. Juneman, MD | Sept. 10, 2019
Associate Professor, Medicine
Member, UA Sarver Heart Center
Director, Outpatient Cardiology, Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and South Medicine

Her colleague wrote, "Dr. Juneman's medical competence and teaching skills pair for an unparalleled learning experience. She can take learners of any age or skill set and teach advanced topics without shaming or belittling. She is the future of medical education, and I look forward to learning from her on the wards Furthermore, performing research under her guidance has been what I needed to succeed. She has high expectations, but does not let the pressure become distressed, nor does she micromanage. She enables me to learn through success and failure, always available to answer questions or use the present circumstance as a learning event. She has taught me more than just cardiovascular physiology but mentoring techniques and communication skills."

Dr. Rachna ShroffRachna Shroff, MD | Sept. 6, 2019
Associate Professor, Medicine
Chief, Section of GI Medical Oncology, UA Cancer Center
Leader, GI Disease-Oriented Team, UA Cancer Center
Director, Clinical Trials Office

Her colleague wrote, "Dr. Rachna Shroff is an exceptional leader who is a decorated international expert in hepato-pancreato-biliary cancers. Dr. Shroff's expertise and passion to help build the clinical research program at UACC has been outstanding. As the Section Chief of GI Oncology, Dr. Shroff has helped to build the UACC GI Oncology clinical research program into a thriving, robust, and respected leader for clinical trial research in the Southwest region. The GI Oncology research team has doubled in staff to help manage a near tripling of the clinical trials in the GI portfolio since she joined Banner-UACC in 2018. Dr. Shroff has also been integral in providing opportunities and mentorship for junior faculty in their academic pursuits. Her leading efforts to strengthen “bench to bedside” and “bedside to bench” translational research within the UA-COM and UACC has also become an exciting and necessary priority to help move the GI Oncology program into the next level on the national and international stage. Dr. Shroff’s focus and energy on establishing UACC as a leader in GI Oncology cannot be overstated, and we are lucky to have her!."

Dr. Gianna O'HaraGianna O'Hara, DO | Sept. 5, 2019
PGY3, UA Internal Medicine Residency Program – South Campus

Her colleague wrote, "Dr. Gianna O’Hara has been an integral part of the South Campus Internal Medicine Residency Program. She is always the first to step up to help her fellow residents, new interns and the underserved teens in South Tucson. Among her many accomplishments, awards and accolades, she has accomplished a few things that really stand out. Dr. O’Hara started a Google Doc system which includes documents and reference materials for incoming interns. The interns have access to these documents/materials prior to their orientation start date which shows Dr. O’Hara’s passion for her South Campus family. The Google Doc system also includes a calendar that highlights important due dates, events, and helpful information for all residents. Dr. O’Hara is a major organizer for the Pathways to Success event which serves as a hands-on health-care career fair for South Tucson at-risk high school students. These students are underrepresented in health care and the purpose of the event is to encourage them to learn how they can become the future faces of medicine. She recruits presenters, organizes hospital tours and makes sure the event runs smoothly. She is naturally shy but came out of her shell to promote this event on live TV."

Others lauded, as of Sept. 10, include (click on name to see their WIM profile):

Associate Professor, Family and Community Medicine
Associate Residency Program Director Family and Community Medicine

Assistant Professor (Clinical Scholar Track)
South Campus Residency Program Director
Department of Family and Community Medicine

Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - (Clinical Series Track)
Associate Program Director, General Surgery Residency
Associate Program Director, ACES Adv GI/MIS Clinical Fellowship Surgery

Among additional physicians nominated, but for whom individual profiles were not picked for the UAHS Campus Update email, were the following UA Department of Medicine faculty: C. Bree Johnston, MD, MPH, FACP (Geriatrics), Elaine Cristan, MD (Pulmonary), and Olivia Hung, MD, PhD (Cardiology). Click here for other nominees.

For more information please contact Alejandra Zapien: azapien8@email.arizona.edu

ALSO SEE:
“Celebrating September as Women in Medicine Month” | Posted Sept. 25, 2018
“Let’s Celebrate Women in Medicine on International Women’s Day – Today” | Posted March 8, 2017

Release Date: 
09/10/2019 - 2:15pm