COMSEP COACH Certificate Program 2024: Info Page

Harsha Bhagtani is an Associate Professor and the Discipline Chair of Pediatrics at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM).  In this role, she is responsible for pediatric curriculum development and the third and fourth-year osteopathic students’ clinical rotations in pediatrics.  She advises all students interested in pediatrics at VCOM and is the faculty mentor for the pediatrics interest group as well as the residency advisor for all students interested in pediatrics as a specialty.  Dr. Bhagtani also mentors students interested in participating in pediatric research and quality improvement projects. She was named Clinical Researcher of the Year in 2024 for her work with students at VCOM.  In addition, she works as a general academic pediatrician at the rank of Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM).  Dr. Bhagtani has an interest in early childhood literacy and was the medical director of several Reach Out and Read Programs throughout her career.  Also, she is the co-founder and medical director of the Feed, Read, and Grow Program at the Roanoke Public Libraries.  The Feed, Read, and Grow Program is a pediatrician-librarian partnership that includes multiple agencies working toward a common goal of improving access to healthcare, nutrition, and literacy resources. This program focuses on improving healthy nutrition, promoting physical fitness, supporting mental wellbeing, and building resilience.

Melissa Brannen

I am a pediatric hospitalist in allentown Pa. I serve as the assistant dean of student affairs at the usf MCOM Lvhn campus. I am the mother of three children and many fur animals. I am currently reclaiming my health after benign neglect starting in a critical care fellowship until mast last kid. To this end I am training for the princess challenge in Disney in Feb.
oh yeah- I went to temple university undergrad and medical school. I did my residency in Washington DC and fellowship at northwestern. I received my masters in education from the university of Cincinnati

Kris Deeter

Kris Deeter, MD, MBA is the Chair of Pediatrics of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and also serves as Physician-in-Chief at Renown Children’s Hospital. She is board-certified in pediatric critical care and general pediatrics and continues to practice in the PICU at Renown. Dr Deeter practiced in Texas, Georgia, Seattle and South Florida before moving back home to Reno to become the Vice Chair of Pediatrics in 2021 and Chair of Pediatrics in 2022. She has focused on the development of a new Pediatric Residency program and community collaborations to increase access to pediatric mental health care. Dr Deeter teaches at REMSA and speaks frequently at first responder conferences providing pediatric training to Northern Nevada's paramedic, fire and Care Flight transport teams. Kris has been married for 26 years to a trauma surgeon, and they have two daughters in college. She completed an MBA at the University of Nevada Reno in 2021. She is an avid skier, biker, hiker and pickleball player.

Stacy Ellen

"My name is Dr. Stacy Ellen. I completed medical school at PCOM in 2009 and residency in Pediatrics at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in 2012. Since August 2012, I have worked as a General Pediatrician in the Center for the Urban Child and the Center for Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs at St. Chris. I have held faculty appointments and a variety of roles through Drexel University College of Medicine. I was promoted to Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics in April 2021. I have completed a few faculty development programs, most notably the Educational Scholars Program (ESP) through the Academic Pediatric Association (APA) (Cohort 9, 2019-2022).

Since July 2022, I have served as the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at Drexel University College of Medicine. Soon after, I applied for and was accepted to Cohort 2 of the Advancing Pediatric Leaders program through the APA. I have received excellent coaching through this mid-career leadership program and want to learn how to coach now, both to give back to the program and to be able to make an impact on my medical student, resident and junior faculty mentees in the years to come.

On a personal note, I have been married to Adam for nearly 15 years and we have two amazing children Dylan (10) and Maya (4). The newest addition to our household is Francesca Sparkles (""Franny"") a mini Australian Labradoodle puppy, who was born in May and joined our home in July . You may want to see photos when we meet!"

Cherie Ginwalla

I am a pediatric hospitalist with a career marked by a wide range of interests, and a strong emphasis on medical education. I started as a primary care physician caring for children with complex medical conditions before transitioning to hospital-based medicine 15 years ago. I find great satisfaction in working with a diverse group of patients and students, and I am committed to integrating cultural humility, addressing biases, and promoting health equity in all my efforts. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, listening to music, and spending time with my partner, teenage children, and our lively dogs, which makes for a very dynamic and occasionally noisy household.

Judith Hills

I am a Hospice and Palliative Care Physician who has been working and coaching medical students for the last 6 years. I hope this course will improve my coaching skills

For 25 years I have been a primary care provider at the Seattle VA Medical Center and recently promoted to Clinical Professor of Medicine in the UW Division of General Internal Medicine.  I have had roles in teaching and leadership within the VA, in addition to a robust clinical practice. For the first 13 years of my VA career I served as the Clinical Director of the Seattle VA Women's Clinic.  Several years ago, I was the co-lead in launching the  VA Puget Sound Workplace Wellbeing Program and serve as co-lead.  This role involves a variety of  activities including group facilitation through Listening Sessions, teaching in skill building in navigating conflict and a plan to expand to coaching to support VA medical staff .

Kheyandra Lewis

Kheyandra D. Lewis, MD, MEd, is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Drexel University College of Medicine and the Vice Chair of Faculty and Professional Development at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children where she oversees the development and support of programs designed to assist faculty in achieving their professional goals. Additionally, as an Associate Program Director for the pediatric residency at St. Christopher’s, she directs the professional development curriculum and co-chairs the Mid-Atlantic region of the Association of Pediatric Program Directors. Clinically, Dr. Lewis is a pediatric hospitalist. Her scholarly pursuits involve medical education, feedback mechanisms, effective communication strategies, professional development initiatives, and the promotion of health equity.

Sarah Marks

I am a pediatric hospitalist at Janet Weis Children’s Hospital and one of the associate program directors for Pediatric residency at Gesinger Medical Center. I am driven by a passion for nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals. I graduated from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and completed my pediatric residency at the University of North Carolina, where I served as chief resident. My special interests in graduate medical education (GME) include fostering the role of residents as teachers, advocating for community medicine, and promoting resident well-being and professional development. Beyond my work in GME, I am committed to mentoring and teaching medical students and other healthcare professionals. I volunteer as the clinical director for Special Olympics Health Athletes and as the school district physician. I actively engage with my community as a scout leader, lacrosse coach, and mountain bike coach. As a mother of four free-range children aged 10 to 16, I embrace an adventurous family lifestyle in central Pennsylvania alongside my husband, Vic.

I was born and raised in Panama, and my journey in medicine began at The George Washington University, where I earned my medical and public health degrees. I then trained at Johns Hopkins, specializing in neurocritical care. For the past 11 years, I've been a neurointensivist at the University of Maryland, where I also serve as the Neurology Clerkship Course Director. My daily work involves mentoring and shaping the next generation of physicians who care for patients with neurologic diseases. I'm passionate about using my coaching skills to better support trainees, helping them grow through effort, effective strategies, and strong mentorship.

Maya Neeley

Maya is a pediatric hospitalist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and enjoys working with all types of learners, particularly students. As a Vanderbilt University School of Medicine college mentor and Pediatrics Clerkship co-director, she works a lot mentoring and advising students. She is so excited to participate in this coaching program to improve her communication skills and foster conversations with learners to help guide them towards growth.

Susan Nofziger

Sue Nofziger is a clinical associate professor of pediatrics and a pediatric hospitalist at Akron Children's Hospital. She also serves as the Associate Dean for Experiential Education at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) where she provides leadership and oversight of the clinical years. Dr. Nofziger earned her medical degree from Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, and completed residency at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. In her current role, she engages with a spectrum of learners and faculty from clinical site directors, fellows and residents, to M1 students. Her areas of interest in medical education include feedback, generational differences, cognitive bias and leadership development.

Amy Prudhomme

"Hi, I'm a Pediatric Hospitalist at Children's Hospital, New Orleans. My home institution is LSUHSC, New Orleans.

I am transitioning out of the Clerkship Director position at my institution. I've held this position for the last 6 years and am looking forward to new ways I can invest in the learners and faculty around me. Also looking forward to being coached by my partner.

This transition in my career also brings with it a renewed sense of opportunity. Which direction do I want my career to go and how do I want to most effectively spend my time and energy? These are big questions that I've been mulling over and hoping coaching can help me with that.

I have 2 young boys and I love being their mom. My husband is an Internal Medicine hospitalist. My passion is mentorship and I love helping young women navigate the challenges that having a family and a career bring."

Sanaa Qamar

I am an outpatient pediatrician at advocate children’s hospital and currently the assistant clerkship director for core pediatric rotation for students at UIC and Chicago Medical school.

Stephanie Rubin

I currently serve as the Women's Health Medical Director for the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Originally from Philadelphia, I am a graduate of the Tulane University School of Medicine and completed my Med-Peds Residency at Tulane in 2020. I've been with the New Orleans VA since completing my training. Before taking on my current role in mid-2023, I've worked as both an academic hospitalist and as a PCP in our Women's Health clinic. I am a "coach" and core faculty member for the Tulane Med-Peds residency program. I have also helped to develop and direct a longitudinal Women's Health - Primary Care training experience for IM residents at the VA, where I remain actively involved in precepting and teaching residents every week. In my role as Women's Health Medical Director, I help to train and support our specialized women's health PCPs, as well as work to improve the coordination and delivery of quality gender-specific healthcare services to women veterans across the medical center. Other clinical interests include sexual and reproductive health, palliative medicine, and improving transitions from the hospital to the outpatient setting. When I'm not at work, you can find me rooting passionately for any and all Philadelphia sports teams and enjoying great food and live music around New Orleans.

Hello! I am an Assistant Professor at UCSF Benioff Children's Oakland. Clinically, I work as an outpatient pediatrician and nocturnist. We are a training program for pediatric residents and I work closely with them and serve as their intern support facilitator. In the past few years I have also started working closely with MS3s from UCSF School of Medicine as one of the co-site directors for their core Pediatrics rotation. In my free time I like to travel, bake and hang out with family and friends.

Heather Wade

Heather Wade, MD, FAAP grew up in Maryland and attended the University of Maryland at College Park for her undergraduate degree.  After working in biomedical research for several years, she completed medical school and pediatric training at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Hospital. She worked as a primary care pediatrician for 13 years teaching medical students and residents in the community setting before joining the faculty at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore in 2020. She now serves as Associate Program Director of the Pediatric Residency Program at Sinai and continues to teach both medical students and residents in General Pediatrics.