June 2025
Dean's Message
Looking Back
All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where it was.
-Toni Morrison
As clinicians we are taught the importance of reviewing information. I understand the value of taking time to find out what has been going on in my patients’ lives since the last time I saw them. I refresh my knowledge of their last visits and acquaint myself with more recent happenings. This review helps me better understand the person I will be seeing that day. There are also days I must take deeper dives when something just does not make sense to me, when fundamentals such as diagnoses and management plans need to change.
I believe that this cycle of re-evaluating helps me be a good doctor. I do this because I was taught this. Yet, in life no one really teaches you about life. There is no didactic or Life 101 and even if someone had tried, I am not sure that I would have listened. Sometimes the advice is given but we are not in a place to hear it.
Recently I heard this “Life 101” advice and was in a place that I could take it in, directly leading to my decision to use this “look back” technique outside of work. Since making this resolution, I have concluded that decisions have both expected and unexpected consequences. This realization has led me to be more mindful of the decisions that I do make but also to be gentle with myself when these unexpected consequences occur.
Now, I work to make decisions based on the knowledge and wisdom I have accumulated, within the circumstances I find myself, and with the understanding that there will possibly be unforeseen outcomes. My lesson is to accept the outcomes, learn my lessons, and make better decisions in the future. For me this acceptance is based on intentional and well thought out decision making, looking back to make better decisions in and for the future.
Dr. Azziza Bankole, MBBS
Senior Advisor for Faculty Affairs
Humanism Note
World Humanist Day is observed annually on June 21, coinciding with the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Established in the 1980s by the American Humanist Association and recognized globally by Humanists International, this day promotes humanism as a life stance that emphasizes ethical living, critical thinking, and human welfare.
As we observe World Humanist Day, we are reminded of the core values that underpin compassionate health care: empathy, reason, and respect for human dignity. This day invites us to reaffirm our commitment to these principles in our medical practice and education, ensuring that we continue to place humanity at the heart of health care.
Dr. George Thibault wrote about the history of humanism and why it is more important than ever in the AAMC’s Academic Medicine. While much about the world and health care has changed in the years since it was published. Dr. Thibault’s central observation holds true: “It will be hard to have humanism in medicine if there is no humanism in the world around us. Human interest, values, and dignity must predominate.”
Publishing
Lana Wahid, vice-chair of the Department of Medicine at Carilion Clinic, and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, collaborated with colleagues on "Reducing Readmission for Sepsis by Improving Risk Prediction Algorithms," published in the American Journal of Critical Care.
Anthony E. Capito, associate professor of surgery, collaborated with residents Kelsey M. Gray, Andrzej J. Burkat (graduate), Nicholas J. Peterman, and Sahith R. Mandala, along with Lucas A. Arney, class of 2025, on "Timing and Predictors of Upper Extremity Peripheral Nerve Reconstruction," published in JPRAS Open.
Robert L. Trestman, chair and professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, and Anita S. Kablinger, vice chair and professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, published with resident Binx Yezhe Lin and Yifan Li, class of 2025, mentored by Kablinger, along with colleagues on "The prevalence of comorbidities in people with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (2013-2023)," in Epilepsy & Behavior.
Brittany R. Howell, associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics and at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, published with her mentee Allison Seifert, class of 2027, first author, Kelly Ingram, class of 2024, co-mentored with Jaclyn Nunziato, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and colleagues on "Impact of maternal obesity and mode of delivery on the newborn skin and oral microbiomes," published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology.
Pasha Saif, class of 2027, collaborated with colleagues on "Predicting hospital admissions, ICU utilization, and prolonged length of stay among febrile pediatric emergency department patients using incomplete and imbalanced electronic health record (EHR) data strategies," published in the International Journal of Medical Informatics.
Jesse Bender, associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics, collaborated with colleagues on "Interprofessional Collaboration in Building In Situ Simulations to Identify Threats to Patient Safety Before Transitioning to a New Healthcare Environment: Neonatal Intensive Care as an Example," published in Cureus.
Justin M. Gardner, clinical preceptor and emergency medicine physician, published with colleagues "National Survey of Wilderness Medicine Scholarly Tracks in Emergency Medicine Residency Programs," in Wilderness & Environmental Medicine.
Alumni Update
Class of 2015 Reunion
Earlier this month, VTCSOM welcomed back the Class of 2015 to Roanoke for their 10-year reunion! We welcomed 20 members of the Class of 2015 along with their spouses and friends of the class. Thank you to all who came to help us celebrate this awesome class!
Do you have any news to share?
Are you moving on to private practice or a fellowship? Did you get married? Have a baby? Get published, receive an award, or promoted? Tell us about it! Please fill out our survey: https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=vgzDQZL8WMUECHrPeIW9eQ%3D%3D
Carilion Recruitment
Interested in returning to Roanoke or the surrounding areas to work and play? Carilion Clinic has outstanding employment opportunities available in many specialties. Visit Carilionclinic.org, scroll to Careers and then Physician Careers for more information. You may also reach out to Andrea Henson, director of physician recruitment & onboarding (ahenson@carilionclinic.org) or 540-224-5241.
VT's Alumni Weekend
- VTCSOM's Jed Gonzalo, MD, MSc, Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education and Leslie LaConte, PhD, Associate Dean, will be presenting Friday, June 6 at 10:30am in the New Classroom Building as part of the Morning Sessions. They will focus on VTCSOM's new curriculum, what's changed and what has stayed the same.
- If you would like to attend alumni weekend, please visit here
Spotlight on Giving
Member One, a division of Virginia Credit Union, has committed $50,000 over five years to support the Henrietta Lacks Excellence in Medicine Scholarship at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM).
The scholarship supports medical students from populations underrepresented in medicine, helping reduce financial barriers for future physicians. It honors the legacy of Henrietta Lacks, a Roanoke native whose cells—taken without her knowledge during cancer treatment—became one of the most important tools in modern medical research.
“We are deeply grateful to Member One for the generous gift to the Henrietta Lacks Excellence in Medicine Scholarship. Their support not only honors the legacy of a woman who changed the course of science but also helps empower our medical students to pursue their calling,” said Lee Learman, dean of VTCSOM. “Gifts like these are critical in allowing future physicians to focus on what matters most—providing compassionate, excellent care to the patients and communities who need them.”
To read the full article: Click Here
Take Note
The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine invites the public to experience “The Anatomy of Her Healing,” a bold new art exhibition opening Thursday, June 5, with a public reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Riverside 2 Building at 2 Riverside Circle in Roanoke.
The exhibit, on display through August, features work by women artists who use painting, photography, and mixed media to explore healing, trauma, and empowerment. Through deeply personal and expressive pieces, the artists offer insight into the strength found in vulnerability — and the power of creativity as a path to transformation.
Last Note
Lee Learman, dean of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, recently was recognized by the Roanoke branch of the NAACP for his outstanding contributions to medicine in the Roanoke Valley.
Learman received a Citizen Award during the organization's 25th annual awards banquet on May 2.
The banquet, which honored individuals across eight categories, celebrated those whose work has had a lasting impact on the region. Learman was recognized for his leadership at the medical school and his commitment to advancing medical education, health care access, and community engagement.
“It is an incredible honor to be recognized by the NAACP, an organization whose mission I deeply respect and admire,” Learman said. “At the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, we strive to not only educate future physicians but also to improve the health the communities around us. This recognition reflects the collective efforts of our students, faculty, staff, and partners.”
To read the full article: Click Here