Robinson 2
Boston, MA02118-2393
Tel: 617 638-8383
Fax: 617 638-8387
/ Lisa B. Caruso, MD, MPH, CMD
Interim Chief, Section of Geriatrics
Assistant Professor of Medicine
June 22, 2012
Awards Committee
BostonUniversity Faculty Development and Diversity
Department of Medicine
Dear Awards Committee;
I am writing this letter to nominate Dr. Serena Chao for the 2012 Junior Faculty Mentoring Award.
Dr. Chao came to BostonUniversity and Boston Medical Center (BMC) as a Geriatric Medicine Fellow in 2002 after a year as Chief Resident at BaystateMedicalCenter in Springfield, MA. Since she joined the Geriatrics faculty in 2004, she has been an exceptional mentor totraineesas they pursue careers both in geriatrics and in medical education.
Dr. Chao has mentoredmost extensively in resident and geriatric fellow education nationally and locally. She is an active member of the AGS Resident Interest Group, this year judging resident posters at the Society’s annual meeting. At BMC, she is a key faculty member of the Chief Resident Immersion Training in the Care of Older Adults, an interprofessional educational retreat to teach chief residents from different specialties leadership skills and geriatrics. During the retreats, she adeptly displays her small group facilitating skills and shows creative enthusiasm in mentoring the participants in developing their Action Projects. She is a highly regarded role model in the internal medicine residency program, and has been invited to participate in the Annual Senior Retreat, give the annual noon conference on delirium, lead Ambulatory Morning Report, and co-facilitate the weekly subspecialty firm conferences. However, she instills her passion for the care of older adults no better than when attending on the inpatient geriatrics service. Some recent comments from resident evaluations that highlight Dr. Chao’s status as an inspiringmentor and role model are:
- It was a pleasure to work with Dr. Chao. She allowed the service to be resident-run, but yet always had something to teach on rounds.
- I love Dr. Chao’s attending style. She was an excellent attending to work with on the Geriatrics Service. She provided an easy learning environment in the setting of a busy service. . . She taught at the bedside and during rounds, while keeping rounds efficient. She gave feedback in a timely fashion.
As the Director of the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program, Dr. Chao really shines in her tireless commitment to meeting the academic and clinical needs of the fellows. When two fellowship applicants who happened to be BMC Chief Residents were interested in pursuing a career in geriatric medical education rather than in research, Dr. Chao created a Medical Education Pathway within the HRSA Fellowship grant which was funded and has been very successful. She constantly promotes fellow involvement in the clinical activities of the Geriatrics Section, and then encourages the fellows to present their work and ideas both informally in her regular meetings with them and formally in the development of academic posters and presentations. Dr. Chao has also inspired fellows in a personal way. By her own example as a working mother, she is able to relate to the challenges and struggles that the fellows experience. One fellow remarked:
- Serena has been a terrific mentor. Always encouraging me to seek excellence and that anything is possible. She continues to emphasize that it is important to maintain a work-life balance. I admire her work ethic and determination.
I highly recommend Dr. Chao for this award. She freely and effectively shares her wisdom and knowledge with young physicians. She is a truly remarkable mentor in the Geriatrics Section and the Department of Medicine.
Sincerely,
Lisa B. Caruso, MD, MPH, CMD
Interim Section Chief, Geriatrics
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Department of Medicine