Candidates
President-Elect
Allison K. Ashford, MD, FAAP, FACP, FHM
Associate Professor
University of Nebraska College of Medicine
I didn't anticipate writing my own personal statement as a program director especially as I sit knee-deep in personal statements in the midst of residency application season. My name is Allison Ashford, and I am the program director for the University of Nebraska Med Peds Residency. I have been in this role for five years. Many of you know me from conferences, NMPRA webinars or as co-chair of the MPPDA Recruitment Committee. I’m also a mom, wife, sister, daughter, baker, binger of reality tv and casual runner. I’m lucky to be where I am in my life but equally eager to devote more time on the things that I am most drawn to. That’s where this personal statement comes in: I am writing to you to throw my hat in the ring to run for President-Elect of MPPDA.
Running for this spot was not on my radar this year, but that’s how a lot of my jobs and roles have evolved. Oftentimes it takes someone else planting a seed or asking my level of interest. That’s how this happened. I value my personal and professional time and I only have committed to the opportunities that I can pursue to the best of my abilities. MPPDA is my true “home” when it comes to professional organizations. I remember my first meeting ten years ago and how I was enamored with the camaraderie and community of MPPDA. What other organization can be described as friends who sing karaoke when reunited?
When I became program director, I became more active in the organization, most notably by becoming co-chair of the Recruitment Committee. I have successfully led a group webinar on Signaling/Updates in ERAS, hosted multiple NMPRA webinars and been engaged in the listserve. I currently advise ten local M4s (which sometimes feels like an embarrassment of riches that the students affectionately call “The Ashford Effect”), and I’m also supporting four others who are not local. I know that the upcoming years have the potential for a lot of action with updated program requirements, ongoing discussions about signaling, possible increases in our applicant numbers and continued interest in scholarly activity. I appreciate that by assuming this role, I will need to balance competing forces between AAIM and APPD, but this balance is something I do well on a daily basis as program director. I equally appreciate the support that I will have, including the past presidents and the executive committee. Needless to say: I’m up for this. I want to do this. Though this is obviously a leadership role, I see this job as a supportive role amongst all of you rather than a role in isolation. I do not pretend to know everything, rather I feel that I am one who enjoys always learning and supporting. I will advocate for you and for us, for equity, diversity, fairness, and the support we deserve. I believe in our specialty and know that there will be challenges (both predictable and unpredictable), and I’m ready for this role. I am honored to be in consideration for this position and excited for your support.
Sarah H. Mennito, MD
Program Director
Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine
I am the Med-Peds Program Director at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, a role I have held since 2009. This role has defined the past 15 years of my life nearly as profoundly as my roles as mother, wife, and doctor. I am incredibly honored by this nomination for President-Elect of the MPPDA and appreciate you taking the time to read this statement.
I was born and raised in Maryland, attended Duke University for undergrad (go Blue Devils!), then returned to the University of Maryland for medical school. I did my Med-Peds residency at MUSC, was Pediatrics Chief Resident, and completed an Academic Generalist Fellowship before joining faculty as a hospitalist. I am mother to my 16yo son Sam and wife to my high school sweetheart husband Tony.
I became Program Director right out of fellowship. I got great mentorship from the experienced categorical PDs at my institution but the best, most realistic, most applicable advice, as well as unwavering support, came from MPPDA meetings and colleagues. The innovations I have undertaken during my PD tenure, including doubling the size of our program and opening a Med-Peds clinic, would have likely been impossible without the input and support from fellow MPPDA members. Every leadership role I have accepted has been with the hope of giving back to a community that has supported me and given me opportunities. The collaborations, committees, and networks I have been a part of through this organization have supported and advanced my career. I have so many reasons to want to give back to the MPPDA.
As a PD I have enjoyed successes and learned from failures. I am excited for the opportunity to support programs and their leadership as I have been supported, helping them innovate new ideas and navigate challenges. I look forward to fostering the collaboration and teamwork that flows so naturally in this group and that I have been so fortunate to be a part of. I am ready to support our organization through new ACGME requirements, a growing population of Med-Peds interested applicants and changing recruitment landscape, as well as national legislative changes and challenges. I will look to encourage the ongoing expansion of Med-Peds training nationally by supporting the growth of existing programs and the opening of new programs. I am excited to partner with MPPDA’s affiliates and, through collaboration with NMPRA and AMPP, continue to expand the networking and connection of Med-Peds providers of all levels across the country.
I strive to be an honest, straightforward person who can be trusted and relied upon. I love working as part of a team, but I am not afraid to lead. I am incredibly proud to be Med-Peds and would be humbly honored to lead and advocate for this amazing group of people.
Secretary-Treasurer
Heather Abraham, MD, FACP, FAAP
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Program Director Med Pediatrics Residency
I have been a member of the MPPDA for seven years and would be honored to serve in this role in order to deepen my level of service to the organization, to our trainees, and to our profession.
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Med/Peds, at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. I have been with my institution since I was a medical student, and I joined our faculty after residency graduation in 2016. I was appointed Associate Program Director for our Med/Peds Residency shortly thereafter and have served as Program Director since Summer 2022. It has been some time since a faculty member from our Institution has held a leadership position within MPPDA, and I seek to change that.
I am passionate about the practice of Med/Peds and Physician Wellbeing. Coming from Detroit, and from one of the oldest Med/Peds residencies in the country, I have a unique perspective to offer on the training difficulties faced by all our Med/Peds residents. We serve a population of patients who has suffered from forced marginalization throughout its history, and, practicing in Detroit, I see firsthand the way the work-related traumas of compassion fatigue, moral injury, and resources limitations impact our learners. I seek to mitigate that as much as possible.
I have been involved in our efforts to collaborate on research into our Board Passage based on In-Training scores as metrics and seek to foster further collaboration on mutually beneficial projects. I am currently working towards an MBA with a focus on Healthcare Administration, and I know the knowledge and skills I am honing will allow me to manage the association's resources responsibly, maximizing their impact on our shared objectives. If elected, I am committed to promoting effective communication and transparency within the association. I will leverage my organizational skills to maintain accurate records, facilitate efficient meetings, and ensure timely dissemination of important information to our members.
I believe that my experience, dedication, and leadership skills make me well-suited for the Secretary-Treasurer position. I am eager to collaborate with fellow educational leaders to address the evolving landscape of our combined training, advocate for the unique strengths of Med/Peds, and contribute to the ongoing success of our association. I appreciate your consideration for this position.