The OHSU School of Medicine celebrated faculty members receiving promotions or appointments at the 2020 Promotion and Tenure Ceremony Sept. 23, which was conducted virtually this year. View a recording of the ceremony.
“We are so proud of our 91 promoted and appointed faculty, and our newly appointed emeritus faculty,” said Dean Sharon Anderson. “This is a moment worth cheering. And, by proxy, this year’s event is also about cheering all our faculty – the ways we have pulled together amid a torrent of challenges and served our community like never before.”
Dean Anderson gave special recognition to Frances Biagioli, M.D., professor of family medicine, OHSU School of Medicine, outgoing chair of the Promotion and Tenure Committee, the whole committee and all those involved in the P&T process for their hard work.
Dr. Anderson added, “I am very excited for the new ideas and energy that Dr. Alan Hunter will bring as the incoming P&T chair.”
Continuing Professional Development Awards
New to the ceremony this year was the presentation of the school’s Continuing Professional Development Awards by Nels Carlson, M.D., assistant dean for continuing professional development.
Dr. Carlson recognized more than 350 individuals for exemplary work in their roles as scientists, educators and clinicians. View more information about all the Continuing Professional Development awardees.
The ceremony featured remarks by ascending faculty members and their chairs.
Juliana Bernstein
Juliana Bernstein, M.P.A.S., PA-C (above left), advanced to the rank of associate professor of medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. As a junior faculty member, Bernstein started an in-patient geriatrics program, which she now co-directs, and recently led a project focused on improving the experience of advanced practice providers (APPs). She is also a well-regarded educator to both M.D. and P.A. students. Bernstein received the Oregon Medical Association’s PA-Citizen award in 2019.
In his remarks about Bernstein, David Jacoby, M.D., professor and chair of medicine, quoted Dr. Katie Bensching, “Juliana is a consummate leader. She energizes those around her to be innovative and creative.”
“I am pleased to represent not just the Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics and the Department of Medicine but also advanced practice providers – a group who together are relative newcomers to the long academic tradition of faculty rank and promotion,” said Bernstein. “Certainly at times last year, I wavered in putting my packet together. And when I wavered in choosing whether or not to go up, at the end of the day it was the 500 APPs behind me that persuaded me to do so. I like to think that this promotion celebrates not just my own work but the present and future contributions of all of our advanced practice providers.”
Bernstein also recognized those who supported her advancement, including mentors Drs. Elizabeth Eckstrom, Katie Bensching, Katie Drago and Pat Kenney-Moore.
Dr. Jeremy Ciporen
Nathan Selden, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chair of neurological surgery, recognized Jeremy Ciporen, M.D. (above right), who advanced to associate professor of neurological surgery.
Dr. Ciporen led the challenge to reinvigorate and grow staffing at the OHSU Health Hillsboro Medical Center, building out a sophisticated program and creating new systems in a short time as part of OHSU Health. He also launched a successful new multidisciplinary clinic with colleagues from radiation oncology, from which he’s evaluating data and publishing studies. He’s the first director of the residency rotation in neurological surgery at OHSU Health Hillsboro Medical Center.
“In scholarship, service and education, through his creativity, his leadership and tremendous energy, and his willingness to go into new spaces, Jeremy has done exactly those things we need to do to create a greater system,” said Dr. Selden. “He’s a delight to work with and mentor.”
Dr. Ciporen credits a multidisciplinary team approach to the successful patient care at Hillsboro Medical Center. “It’s the team that allows us to succeed and, as a result, all ships rise. Our departmental and individual accomplishments are thanks to the mentors who have trained us and the people we work with on a daily basis.”
In particular, Dr. Ciporen thanked Drs. Selden, Kim Burchiel, Maria Fleseriu, Aclan Dogan, Justin Cetas, Charles Thomas, Jerry Jaboin, Timur Mitin, Donn Spight and Elena An and others.
“I’d like to congratulate all the people who have been promoted, and for those coming up; I’d be happy to be a resource for you,” said Dr. Ciporen.
Dr. Esther Choo
Mary Tanski, M.D., M.B.A., associate professor and interim chair of emergency medicine, recognized Esther Choo, M.D., M.P.H., who advanced to professor of emergency medicine.
Dr. Choo is a founding executive director of Time’s Up Healthcare, which works to address gender equity and sexual harassment in medicine. She has a national presence in medical journals, including a monthly column in the Lancet, and she regularly discusses issues in health care on major television networks including CNN. She is a researcher in the Center for Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine and is the research fellowship director in the department.
“Dr. Choo is a dedicated colleague, researcher and mentor to many junior faculty, and has inspired and uplifted countless careers,” said Dr. Tanski. “We are so proud of her success and grateful for her dedication.”
Dr. Choo thanked her “Marty Ginsburg-like” spouse and mentors including Drs. Thea James, Christina Nicolaidis, Todd Korthuis, Bob Lowe, Craig Newgard and John McConnell, the staff at the Center for Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine and a network of peer mentors.
She observed that if universities want women and people of color, particularly Black, Hispanic, and Native faculty, to advance, they need to be fully supported in that path. She also called for better measures of academic impact.
“We know that impact does not come from head count of papers and grants,” said Dr. Choo. “It comes from understanding a problem and filling a gap effectively.”
One of the most powerful and memorable moments was when Dr. Choo described how early in her career, she’d avoid mentioning her children in professional talks.
“I know the mountain of negative and devalued assumptions that come when women mention they have children and feared how that might impact my trajectory,” she said in her remarks. “It's up to senior career faculty to change that norm. Many of us have children. That's why the earth remains populated year after year. So after 15 years in academia, I'm glad to announce that my children are Benjamin, Zadie, Ezra and Thea. Of all my accomplishments, I'm most proud to be their mom.”