People Profile – Mohammed Moumen

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Mohammed Moumen (PGY-2; Dermatology)

Mohammed Moumen (PGY-2; Dermatology) was drawn to MedStar Health for its robust clinical training in complex medical and pediatric dermatology, as well as the opportunity to learn from a diverse patient population across all skin tones and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Originally from Morocco, he now calls D.C. home, which he loves for its vibrant environment with incredible museums, an excellent food scene, and numerous cultural opportunities. MedStar’s support for personal interests, such as the opportunity to participate in the global health track, a mission that resonates with his personal values and interests.

Dr. Moumen’s journey into medicine was inspired by his mother’s struggles navigating the complexities of the healthcare system. As a result of this experience, he is committed to advocating for marginalized communities. Moreover, he developed a deep passion for dermatology due to its complexity, particularly the skin manifestations of systemic diseases. He finds the field incredibly rewarding, as it allows for continuity of care and the opportunity to build lasting patient relationships.

As a dermatology resident, Dr. Moumen works in both outpatient and inpatient settings. In the outpatient setting, he manages a weekly continuity clinic and gains experience in a variety of clinical environments. In the inpatient setting, he provides dermatology consultations at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and Georgetown University Hospital for patients with complex dermatologic diseases. He takes ownership of his patients’ medical care while receiving guidance and support from attending physicians.

Dr. Moumen values the collaborative learning environment at MedStar Health. He is surrounded by brilliant and supportive co-residents, making each day fulfilling. He finds great satisfaction in learning from his patients and deepening his expertise through direct clinical interactions. The mentorship and strong support from faculty and colleagues have played a key role in his success, allowing him to continually refine his clinical skills and understanding of dermatologic diseases.

Outside of work, Dr. Moumen prioritizes his wellbeing by spending time with friends and family. He enjoys exploring Washington, D.C.’s food scene and often invites co-residents to join him, creating opportunities to relax, connect, and support one another. Recognizing the demanding nature of the profession, he emphasizes the importance of self-care, stating: “To provide the best care for others, we must first take care of ourselves. Prioritizing activities that support our mental and physical wellbeing outside of work is essential.”

Dr. Moumen envisions a future where medicine in the U.S. becomes more inclusive and equitable, ensuring that no patient is deterred from receiving care due to cost or access barriers. He hopes for a healthcare system that prioritizes affordability, accessibility, and high-quality care, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.

Shout Out! to the Baltimore Surgery Residency Program

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In celebration of Thank a Resident Day, the Baltimore Surgery Residency program expanded the initiative to Thank a Resident Week, dedicating an entire week to wellness and appreciation.

This celebration was inspired by our commitment to resident wellness, guided by our Thrive wellness initiative. Using the Duke Wheel of Health as a framework, each day’s appreciation activities were structured around key wellness themes.

Throughout the week, we highlighted each of our five resident classes, featuring daily messages about appreciation with wellness-focused gifts:

  • Friday (prior): Therapy dog visit to kick off the celebration
  • Monday (PGY-1s): Mental and Emotional Wellbeing – “Pep talk pills” with motivational quotes
  • Tuesday (PGY-2s): Physical Activity and Fitness – Exercise dice for fun and movement
  • Wednesday (PGY-3s): Nutrition and Lifestyle – DoorDash gift cards to support healthy choices
  • Thursday (PGY-4s): Sleep and Rest – Sleep masks to encourage restorative rest, plus a special lunch
  • Friday (PGY-5s): Physical Environment – Scented candles with messages of gratitude. Gift bag filled with thoughtful items, including a candle, pen, and USB drive.

Thank you to all our residents for your dedication and hard work. We appreciate you today and every day!

 

 

Edwin Mayah – People Profile

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Edwin Mayah, DrPH, (GME Administrator I for the Neurology Department at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital)

Edwin Mayah, DrPH, (GME Administrator I for the Neurology Department at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital) has built his career in healthcare around a deep passion for advocacy, mentorship, and systemic change. Edwin began his career at a nonprofit organization overseeing healthcare programs for uninsured individuals and contributed to establishing health centers that standardized mental health screenings for minority Americans on Medicaid – a community that is recognized as one of the most vulnerable and underserved in the United States.

At MedStar Health, Edwin manages fellowships, residencies, and clerkships in Clinical Neurophysiology, Epilepsy, Headache Medicine, Multiple Sclerosis-Neuroimmunology, and Movement Disorders. Although his job responsibilities have shifted over the years, his core mission has stayed the same: advocating for equitable healthcare policies, fostering mentorship, and ensuring underrepresented voices are heard.

He is the primary point of contact for residents, fellows, faculty, and institutional leadership, managing day-to-day operations including scheduling, recruitment, evaluations, and onboarding processes. He ensures compliance with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and institutional guidelines; manages documentation for site visits, audits, and annual program reviews; coordinates key committees; maintains trainee records; and tracks duty hours and milestones. These responsibilities, though extensive, barely scratch the surface of his role.

Serving others comes naturally to Edwin – his personality is ideally suited for guiding young physicians through a rigorous yet rewarding program.

“What I enjoy most about my work in graduate medical education is supporting the learners (residents, fellows, and medical students) in navigating their medical education and seeing them grow into skilled, quality clinicians, which has been extremely rewarding,” he says.

While Edwin’s job provides immense purpose and meaning, he is candid about the realities of working in medical education. It requires resilience, dedication, and more than a standard level of commitment to succeed. He openly acknowledges the long hours, the struggle to achieve work-life balance, and the continuous learning required. Medical education, he stresses, is not merely academic, it is a full-time responsibility involving considerable sacrifice.

“People often see the prestige of being a doctor but don’t always recognize the grueling journey, sacrifices, and personal toll that come with medical training.”

Outside of work, Edwin deeply values spending quality time with loved ones and engaging in activities that recharge him. Among his favorite activities is attending his son’s football practices and games, finding great joy in watching him grow, learn, and demonstrate commitment to his team. Edwin is also the creator and host of “The Conversation: Outspoken & Opinionated,” a syndicated podcast known for keeping discussions real, raw, and unapologetically honest. Listeners can catch the podcast exclusively on the ALIVE Podcast Network, YouTube TV, Facebook TV, Apple Podcasts, and other popular podcast platforms.

Dr. Rohan Janwadkar – People Profile

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Rohan Janwadkar (PGY-3; Emergency Medicine)

Rohan Janwadkar (PGY-3; Emergency Medicine) has always been fascinated by the science of the human body and the profound impact physicians can have on people’s lives. His passion for medicine solidified during his medical school rotations, where he was drawn to Emergency Medicine after witnessing firsthand how quick, compassionate, and skilled care can be lifesaving in critical moments.

Dr. Janwadkar says he enjoys the unpredictable, fast-paced nature, and problem-solving required in Emergency Medicine. The field’s unique combination of immediate impact, complex decision-making, and diverse patient cases drives his commitment to excellence. As he explains, “Above all, I’m motivated by the opportunity to help people at some of the most vulnerable points in their lives and provide the care and reassurance they need during emergencies.”

He also loves the teamwork aspect of Emergency Medicine and appreciates the collaborative environment where physicians, nurses, paramedics, and specialists work together seamlessly to provide patient care. The shared expertise and camaraderie among medical professionals create a strong foundation for effective treatment in high-stakes situations.

Faculty members have played an instrumental role in shaping Dr. Janwadkar’s development, offering not only clinical guidance but also invaluable career and life advice. He says their dedication to teaching, along with their willingness to share experiences and provide constructive feedback, has been essential in helping him navigate complex cases and make sound decisions under pressure. Additionally, his co-residents have been a huge source of support, creating an environment of shared learning and collaboration. Their mutual encouragement has strengthened both his professional growth and personal resilience. Beyond the hospital, his family has remained a steadfast pillar of support, providing the encouragement and understanding needed to balance the demands of residency.

Dr. Janwadkar recognizes that medical training, Emergency Medicine in particular, comes with significant intensity and emotional challenges. The ability to stabilize patients efficiently while managing multiple priorities is a skill he continues to refine, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and composure in stressful situations.

To maintain his wellbeing, Dr. Janwadkar makes the most of his time away from the hospital. Running, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends are the activities that help him recharge mentally and physically. He also believes in celebrating small victories throughout training, recognizing personal and professional growth along the way. He encourages residents and fellows to find balance, acknowledging that while medicine is a deeply fulfilling career, it does not define one’s entire identity. Wellbeing, interests, and relationships outside of work are just as vital to long-term success and happiness.

Looking toward the future, Dr. Janwadkar would like to see the U.S. healthcare system shift toward prioritizing preventive care and healthy lifestyles. He believes that a greater focus on early intervention and health education can reduce the need for costly, reactive care, ultimately improving public health outcomes and reducing the strain on the healthcare system.

Medical Educator Minute: What is Competency Based Medical Education (CBME)?

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You may have heard the term Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) before, but what does it mean? CBME is an outcomes-based approach to medical education and assessment that starts with the end in mind: patient care. The goal of CBME is to ensure that trainees achieve patient-centered outcomes during their training. Starting with the desired end result of excellent patient care, each specialty breaks down learning into components that are needed to achieve competence in providing quality care for that specialty. These components may be described as observable behaviors like Milestones, or as a more global picture of what it means to provide competent care, like Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs).

Instead of focusing on what content to teach, CBME focuses on what should be achieved (i.e., what does competence look like, and what knowledge and skills does each trainee need to reach that level of competence.)

CBME also acknowledges that trainees learn and develop at different rates and uses continuous assessment to shape that learning. A trainee may excel in one area, such as procedural skills, but still has potential for growth in another, such as communication skills. In this way, CBME is rooted in a growth mindset, understanding that all trainees are on their own path to competence and may need different educational opportunities to move along that path at their own pace. This framework can give faculty language to deliver individualized and productive feedback and can help trainees understand their own individualized learning plan.

The Value of CBME

The CBME approach better prepares trainees for the activities they will need in practice because:

  • It is comprehensive and thorough, focusing on the ability of a trainee to meet patient needs, requiring more than medical knowledge and/or surgical technique
  • CBME assessment occurs in the workplace where trainees are working directly with patients
  • Future learning for trainees can be individualized and flexible, based on their unique needs
  • CBME can help programs define and address curricular gaps in helping trainees achieve competence

Bhattacharya, Santanu. Competency-based medical education: An overview. Annals of Medical Science and Research 2(3):p 132-138, September-December 2023. | DOI: 10.4103/amsr.amsr_27_23

Shout out! to our Gastrointestinal/Hematology-Oncology research group

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Shout out! to our Gastrointestinal/Hematology-Oncology research group! We are excited to announce that 10 first-author abstracts have been accepted for presentation at Digestive Disease Week (DDW), taking place from May 4-6.

At DDW, our team will represent MedStar Health, covering a wide range of topics, from improving colon cancer surveillance metrics to trends in MASLD/MASH and GI cancers. Featured abstracts include:

  1. Association between race and adherence to surveillance colonoscopies after resection of stage I to III colorectal cancer
  2. The effect of socioeconomic status on adherence to surveillance colonoscopies after resection of stage I to III colorectal cancer
  3. Association between adjuvant chemotherapy and adherence to surveillance colonoscopies after resection of stage I to III colorectal cancer
  4. Does socioeconomic status influence findings on baseline colonoscopy and adherence to surveillance colonoscopies among individuals with Lynch Syndrome?
  5. Trends in incidence rate of hepatic cancers from 2000-2021: a join point analysis of surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database
  6. Ethnicity-based trends in liver transplantation: a decade analysis of hepatitis c, alcohol and metabolic dysfunction – associated steatohepatitis as primary diagnosis for liver transplant
  7. Incidence of venous thromboembolism in gastrointestinal cancers: analysis from 2020 NIS database
  8. Current electronic nicotine delivery system use associated with incident metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis
  9. Does a history of gastrointestinal and associated cancers affect provider discussions about colorectal cancer screening?
  10. Rising trends and disparities in MASLD mortality: a 20-year US analysis

A huge thank you to Dr. Ramya Vasireddy, Dr. Greeshma Gaddipati, Dr. Mariah Bilalaga, Dr. Boniface Mensah, Dr. Joseph Atarere, Dr. Seunghee Han, Dr. Kevin Eid, and Dr. Urwah Ahmad – the groundbreaking work and research you do each day is invaluable. We could not be prouder to have you representing MedStar Health!

Flutter Runners Club

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People Profile – Dr. Flavia Tejada Frisancho

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Flavia Tejada Frisancho, MD, (PGY 2; Internal Medicine)

For Flavia Tejada Frisancho, MD, (PGY 2; Internal Medicine), leaving her home country of Peru to pursue her dreams may not have been easy. But every challenge has made her stronger, she says, and she hopes to inspire others—especially women and minorities in medicine—to chase their goals fearlessly.

Medicine has always been a part of Dr. Tejada Frisancho’s life and her family’s story. Her grandfather, a surgeon, met her grandmother, a scrub nurse, right in the operating room. And Dr. Tejada Frisancho was born during her parents own medical residencies—her mom’s in ophthalmology and her dad’s in oncology/head and neck surgery. (“Honestly, I have no idea how they managed—shoutout to all the parents going through residency!” she adds.)

Seeing firsthand the impact her parents had on their patients, Dr. Tejada Frisancho knew she wanted to dedicate her life to something just as meaningful. She says the cherry on top was getting to apply science—her favorite subject—to real life in the most impactful way.

“I always thought I would follow in my family’s footsteps and pursue a surgical specialty. After all, surgery is practically in my DNA,” she says. “But during medical school, everything changed when I rotated through internal medicine, especially critical care and cardiology.”

Dr. Tejada Frisancho loved the critical thinking required in internal medicine and, sometimes, the opportunity to play detective. She also liked the chance to build long-term relationships with her patients and advocate for them throughout their journey.

Dr. Tejada Frisancho says the unwavering support from her program, mentors, and colleagues has helped her succeed at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. She appreciates that MedStar Health encourages growth and innovation, whether through hands-on learning, participating in committees, or engaging with diverse patient populations, and she’s eager to pursue opportunities to be more involved this year.

“I believe that leadership and advocacy are essential in medicine, and I Iook forward to finding ways to contribute beyond clinical care,” she says.

Along with her residency program’s book club, Dr. Tejada Frisancho is currently reading “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde. “It explores vanity and the consequences of unchecked ambition—something that can even resonate in medicine at times!” she says. When she’s away from the hospital, Dr. Tejada Frisancho also enjoys painting and loves to explore art galleries and discover local artists.

People Profile – Dr. Olivia Perez de Acha

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Olivia Perez de Acha, MD, (PGY 4; Internal Medicine)

Olivia Perez de Acha, MD, (PGY 4; Internal Medicine) says it was the TV medical drama “House” and a desire to help others that inspired her to pursue a career in medicine. (Luckily, she also discovered a love for anatomy and biology.)

Real life in the hospital may not play out exactly like it does on screen, but Dr. Perez de Acha likes that internal medicine is never repetitive and allows her to encounter cases—from cellulitis in the foot to heart failure to leukemias and glomerulonephritis—that touch every subspecialty in medicine.

Dr. Perez de Acha was born in Madrid, Spain, but she’s a Coloradan by marriage (Go, Broncos!). And, after four years in D.C., she also considers the District home. This summer, she’ll complete her residency, but she won’t be going far. In July, Dr. Perez de Acha will begin a fellowship in hematology oncology at Johns Hopkins Medicine. As she continues her studies, she’s hopeful about the future of this field.

“I am particularly excited about the new possibilities of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy being applied not only in malignant hematology but also in solid oncology and even in non-malignant diseases like Myasthenia Gravis or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),” she says.

Dr. Perez de Acha is one of four chief residents for internal medicine at MedStar Health Georgetown—Washington Hospital Center, and she also serves on the House Staff Diversity Council Committee.

Reflecting on her time at MedStar Health GME, Dr. Perez de Acha acknowledges how important her relationships with mentors and friends have been during her residency. “Enjoy your training years,” she tells colleagues. “They allow you to build relationships that last forever.”

As the founder of the MedStar Health GME Running Club, her close colleagues likely know about her love for the outdoors and her dedication to “crazy outdoor adventures,” as she describes them. They may not know that she also loves spending time indoors scrapbooking and has been building an album of treasured Polaroids for more than 15 years.