Candidate Statement: As an international medical graduate with 14 years of experience in healthcare administration, academia, and professional organizations, I bring a unique blend of knowledge and skills to lead the ACP North Dakota chapter. Immigrating from another country has presented challenges and opportunities that gave me insights into the needs of international medical graduates for successful integration into the US healthcare system. Completing masters in public health and healthcare MBA provided a comprehensive understanding of public and population health, helping improve patient outcomes while reducing healthcare spending. Leading organizations like the North Dakota Medical Association and Society of Hospital Medicine in North Dakota highlighted the unique challenges and needs of internal medicine physicians in a rural state. With advances in medicine like AI, we need leaders who are self-aware, ethical, adaptive, and change agents. I am committed to being such a leader in advocating for physicians and patients.

Medical School Education: Kurnool Medical College

Post-Doctoral Training: University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences (UND SMHS)

Board Certifications: American Board of Internal Medicine; Hospice Medical Director Certification Board; Diplomate, American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians

Present Employment Position:Hospitalist, Sanford Health, Fargo; Chair, Department of Internal Medicine, UND SMHS

ACP Chapter and Leadership Activities: Medical Education: Organizer, Internal Medicine Interest Group Activities for Medical Students; Curriculum Implementer, ACP Board Review Course for Internal Medicine Residents; Promoter, ACP Leadership Day Opportunities for Medical Students and Residents; Organizer, Medical Students and Residents Poster and Oral Presentations, Local Scientific Meeting; Sponsored travel to National ACP for Medical Students and Internal Medicine Residents; Improved internal medicine as specialty choice for graduating medical school class from 10% to 20%; Administrative: Member, Governor’s Council; Organizer, Annual Chapter Meetings; Member, Executive Council (Promoted collaboration between Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM), ND Medical Association (NDMA) and the chapter leading to combined annual scientific meeting); Mentor, Early Chapter Leaders; Encouraged Fellowship and provided letters of support; Mentor, Capstone Projects; Collaborated with ACP SD and ACP MN; Recipient, Laureate Award for leadership; Leadership/Policy/Advocacy: Chair, Department of Internal Medicine, UND SMHS (Oversee medical student curriculum, residency and fellowship programs related to internal medicine, 400 internal medicine faculty, research and administrative functions of the department); Vice President, Inaugural Society of Hospital Medicine, ND Chapter (under fostered collaboration between ACP ND and NDMA; Participant (in collaboration with NDMA), Numerous Healthcare Related Policies; Organizer, Awareness Day, J1 Visas for Foreign Medical Graduates and J1 Waiver for Practicing Physicians; Organizer, Careers in Medicine (for high school and undergraduate students pursuing healthcare careers); ACP Representative, Artificial Intelligence Working Group (in collaboration with medical school and teaching hospitals); Invited Speaker, Value-based Care Panel, Chapter Meeting 2023

ACP National Activities: Fellowship 2016; Project Reviewer, Capstone Review Board; Reviewer, Poster Presentations, Internal Medicine Meeting; Participant, ND ACP Events, Internal Medicine Meeting; Supporter/Writer, Letters of Recommendation, Fellowship and Mastership Applications

Other Appointments/Activities: Commissioner, Medical Education, NDMA; Chair, Faculty Academic Council, UND Medical School; Member, Sanford Health Quality Council; Member, Medical School Admissions Committee; Member, Medical Education Curriculum Committee; Member, Association of Professors of Medicine, AAIM; Advisory Board Member, Project IMG; Member, Council of Faculty and Academic Societies, AAMC; Reviewer, Multiple Medical Journals; Advisory Member, Harvard Business Review

Areas of Professional Interest and Expertise: Value-based care, academic and clinical integration related to value-based care; Artificial intelligence in medical education and healthcare delivery sciences; Leadership development for medical students, residents, fellows and early career physicians; Physician leadership in policy and advocacy; Role of international medical graduates in US healthcare and medical education

Candidate Statement: Hello and I hope you are well!! We all have the power to influence people and affect change. I love teaching young doctors, helping patients and have a passion for assisting other physicians. My goal is to help shift our healthcare conversation with patients from “what is wrong with you” to “what matters to you.” This is why I am running for governor. My background consists of civilian and military leadership positions from running a primary care department to overseeing medical operations in Africa to building innovative rotations/overseeing resident education at the Fargo VA. My medical practices have been varied and represent the spectrum of internists in ND. Working with Dr. Ranum has shown me the impact of the ACP governor, and I feel it is a path to making a difference in areas I am truly passionate about!! Lastly, please ensure you are practicing physician self-care. 😊

Medical School Education: SSOM, University of South Dakota

Post-Doctoral Training: Internal Medicine, University of North Dakota (UND)

Board Certifications: Internal Medicine

Present Employment Position: Deputy Chief Health Informatics Officer, Interim Associate Chief of Staff for Education/DEO, and PCP, Fargo VA

ACP Chapter and Leadership Activities: Governor's Council; Planning Committee, State Conference, last several years; Well-Being Champion, last 3 years; Host, First Well-Being Event; Presenter, Last State Conference

ACP National Activities: Fellowship 2018; Internal Medicine Meeting 2023

Other Appointments/Activities: Associate Clinical Professor, UND; Transition Year Faculty of the Year, UND 2024; South Dakota Army National Guard (16 years with multiple deployments/overseas humanitarian missions); Internal Medicine, UND Site Director, Fargo VA; Former Chief, Fargo VA Primary Care and Whole Health Clinical Director; Current CHIO and interim Associate Chief of Staff for Education; Incoming VP, Local NDMA Chapter; Developer, VA Integrative Medicine Rotations; Presenter, Integrative Medicine Rotations/Curriculums at two national conferences (SGIM and ICIMH) 2024-2025

Areas of Professional Interest and Expertise: Integrative Medicine in Internal Medicine Practices; Physician Well-Being and Burnout Reduction; Battlefield Acupuncture and Military Medicine/Veteran Healthcare