Announcing 11 New Members of the Academy of Master Clinicians

January 6, 2020

To:Penn Medicine Faculty and Staff

From:J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD
Kevin Mahoney
John Glick, MD

We are delighted to announce the election of 11 new members of the Academy of Master Clinicians. Membership in the Academy recognizes those Penn Medicine clinicians who exemplify the highest standards of clinical excellence, humanism and professionalism and is the highest clinical honor to be bestowed on a Penn physician. Newly elected members are:

NAME

DEPARTMENT

ENTITY

Benjamin Chang, MD

Surgery (plastic surgery)

HUP/CHOP

Robert Hurst, MD

Radiology

HUP

Sharon Kolasinski, MD

Medicine/rheumatology

PPMC

Sharon Lewis, MD

Neurology

PAH

Leslie Litzky, MD

Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

HUP

Giacomina Massaro-Giordano, MD

Ophthalmology/dry eye

PPMC (Scheie)

Robert Micheletti, MD

Dermatology

HUP

Jeffrey Millstein, MD

CCA/Primary Care

Woodbury Heights

Nina O'Connor, MD

Medicine/Hospice and Palliative Care

HUP

Christopher Rassekh, MD

Otorhinolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery

HUP

James Treat, MD

Pediatrics (pediatric dermatology)

CHOP

The Academy of Master Clinicians https://www.med.upenn.edu/fapd/academy-of-master-clinicians/ was launched in 2013. Master Clinicians have been developing and implementing innovative programs focusing on career mentoring for medical students, professionalism, promoting and enhancing a culture of clinical excellence at Penn Medicine, promoting wellness and reducing burnout, and exploring barriers to providing exceptional patient care. We look forward to continuing to work with the Master Clinicians to advance these critical initiatives.

On July 12, 2019, a call for nominations for new members of The Academy of Master Clinicians was widely distributed. Thirty-five excellent candidates were submitted for consideration. The Selection Committee selected 11 outstanding individuals from numerous departments and entities across Penn Medicine. The Master Clinicians will support the missions of Penn Medicine in the areas of focus mentioned above and in accordance with general expectations described in the program as follows:

“A Master Clinician will be distinguished by a superior depth of knowledge in their field and a willingness to pursue new knowledge. A Master Clinician is recognized for exceptional clinical skills, excellent judgment, integrity, and exemplary interpersonal and communication skills with patients and colleagues at all levels, and as a committed and supportive team player. A Master Clinician treats all patients equally, acts as a patient advocate, and demonstrates compassion and empathy toward patients. A Master Clinician is an outstanding educator. A Master Clinician serves as a role model and mentor who exemplifies the highest levels of professionalism and positively influences the collegial culture of Penn Medicine.” Professionalism, a core value of Penn Medicine, was a particularly significant criterion for selection.

We thank the members of the Selection Committee for their dedication and hard work in this important initiative. We look forward to continuing to expand this group with additional outstanding individuals in the coming years.