Educator Spotlight: Reena Hemrajani, MD

Tell us about yourself
I grew up in Jacksonville, FL and completed my undergraduate and medical school training in Florida. I attended Internal Medicine (IM) Residency at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), followed by a chief medical resident year in 2010. I worked as an academic hospitalist and assistant program director at George Washington University until 2013 when I returned to VCU. There, I worked as an associate program director, chair of the clinical competency and focused on evaluation and assessment of residents. I also had the opportunity to attend the Stanford Faculty Development Program in 2015.

I am very excited to have moved down to Atlanta in October 2017 to join the Division of Hospital Medicine within the DOM at Emory. I practice at Grady Memorial Hospital and serve as Associate Site Director. I am also an Assistant Division Director for faculty development and coordinate our mentorship program. Finally, I am a core faculty member in the IM residency program and working on a bedside coaching project, focused on training residents in teaching and physical exam skills at the bedside. In my short time here, I have already met so many passionate and talented educators who have inspired me.

Why did you go into medicine? 
I was very privileged to be introduced to medicine at a young age by multiple family members. I spent time during my childhood at the office observing the passion and diligence with which they cared for patients. I knew it was what I wanted to do, and I never looked back.  The educator part was something that I came to love in medical school and residency, and I am grateful to be able to do that in addition to my clinical work.

What do you enjoy most about teaching? 
I love so many aspects of teaching! I’ll give you just a few examples. I love when something begins to make sense for a learner or when learners become fully cognizant of the importance of their role as the provider for their patients. I also really enjoy when learning is fun and collaborative between all members of the team and patients. I love being regularly humbled and learning new things myself! In teaching faculty, I love the clear sense of satisfaction and rejuvenation that they feel when they have the time and space to focus on learning something new.

Dogs or cats?  
I am a dog person and will probably adopt one someday soon in the future. But for now, no pets.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Given I am new to Atlanta, I am having fun exploring the local restaurants and other activities that the city has to offer. I love to take a walk or bike ride on the ‘beltline’. I enjoy traveling and regularly visit family and friends on the east coast and am hoping to take a couple international trips over the next year.

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About the Author

Emory Department of Medicine
The Department of Medicine, part of Emory University's School of Medicine, promotes excellence in education, patient care, and clinical and basic research.

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