Teaching is part of the core mission at PSVMC. Our program is richly staffed with clinicians of exceptional skill from many of the nation's most renowned institutions. We stress a collegial and friendly relationship between residents and faculty, with the highest quality educational experience as our common goal.
Jeffrey Youker, M.D., FACP
Program Director
Steven D. Freer, M.D., FACP
Brill Chair, Department of Medicine
Shahana Baig-Lewis, M.D.
Associate Program Director
Michael Goldstein, M.D.
Associate Program Director
Internal Medicine Hospitalist
Tom Chau, M.D., MBA, FACP
Medical Director, PMG at St. Vincent
Stephanie Griffith, MD
Internal Medicine Hospitalist
Core Faculty
Irene Hendrickson, M.D.
Internal Medicine
Emily Hitchcock, M.D., FACP
Internal Medicine
Claudia Leonard, M.D., FACP
Internal Medicine
Laura Loertscher, M.D., FACP
Internal Medicine
Shelley Sanders, M.D., FACP
Internal Medicine
Alexander Schafir, M.D., FACP
Internal Medicine
Stephen Salerno, M.D.
GME Regional Director, DIO
Jeffrey Youker, M.D., MS, FACP
Internal Medicine
Personal Statement: I am excited to have the opportunity to be the Program Director at such an innovative, academically-focused community residency program because of the opportunity it provides me to prepare early physicians for the changing future of medicine. As a former high school teacher, I feel at home with the wide range of opportunities for teaching within this program; whether it is mentoring and teaching in the clinic setting, working with a team on the inpatient wards, or leading discussions and giving lectures at conferences. The innovative focus of this residency program continues to inspire me to find and offer what is best for residents and our patients.
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Arts, history, Walla Walla College,
cum laude
Graduate school: Master of Science, science education, Montana State University
Medical school: Loma Linda University
Internship and Residency: Providence St. Vincent Internal Medicine Residency Program
Chief residency: Providence St. Vincent Internal Medicine Residency
Awards: Most Outstanding Intern 2011, Community Preceptor Teacher of the Year
for OHSU 2020
Areas of academic focus:
National/Regional responsibilities:
Recent presentations/workshops:
Teaching responsibilities:
Personal interests:
Spending time outdoors with my wife and three sons enjoying Portland by hiking, biking, camping and running.
Steven D. Freer, M.D., FACP
Brill Chair, Department of Medicine, Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
Undergraduate: University of California Santa Cruz, summa cum laude
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Residency: Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, 1991
Personal Statement: It is a joy and a privilege to be a doctor, especially where teaching and learning are a priority. At St. Vincent's, we commit ourselves to a residency experience that fosters curiosity, leadership, excellence, and an abiding commitment to serving one's patients and colleagues.
Awards/Honors
National/Regional Responsibilities:
Teaching Responsibilities:
Personal Interests: biking, music, wilderness experiences
Michael Goldstein, M.D. FHM FACP
Internal Medicine Hospitalist
Personal Statement: As the academic hospitalist faculty, I hope to bring my enthusiasm and experience for the clinical practice of hospital medicine to our residents and provide them with the education that prepares them for real world hospitalist practice. Our residency is fortunate to have such a strong, diverse and supportive hospitalist group working alongside our residents to provide a variety of perspectives and clinical experience, preparing them for the fast paced and rapidly evolving field of hospital medicine. In addition, the many changes occurring within US health care today have created numerous opportunities within hospitals and healthcare systems for physicians to be leaders of change and improvement. I want to encourage residents to discover the satisfaction of not only being able to ease the way of patients at the bedside, but change the system to improve the experience and outcomes for all patients. As hospitalists, our knowledge and experience in the acute care setting makes us uniquely qualified to lead these innovation efforts. I hope to provide residents the tools and career development opportunities to become the next generation of physician leaders in the hospital or whichever clinical setting they choose to practice.
Undergraduate: Cornell University Bachelor of Science, Computational Biology
Medical School: Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
Residency: Providence Portland Medical Center
Area of academic focus:
Regional/Local responsibilities:
Recent Awards:
Teaching Responsibilities:
Personal Interests:
Spending time with my wife and daughters, biking, hiking and enjoying the
Pacific Northwest.
Tom Chau, M.D., MBA, FACP
Medical Director, Resident Ambulatory Clinic
Clinical Assistant Professor, Oregon Health & Science University
Personal statement: I have enjoyed being part of Providence St Vincent’s efforts to build healthier communities. Empowering people to make positive changes in their lives leads to healthier patients while addressing the causes of worrying and frustration leads to healthier physicians.
The close, supportive environment of our community-based residency program has allowed me to foster careful information gathering and critical thinking with my residents so they learn how to think through their patients rather than worry about them. Similarly, residents learn first-hand how the healthcare system works and how to care for patients efficiently within that system rather than trip over multiple stumbling blocks. Watching nervous, green interns blossom into confident, adept physicians has been the greatest reward of practicing and teaching at Providence St Vincent.
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science, biomedical engineering, Johns Hopkins University,
Baltimore, Md., recipient of Richard Johns Award for Academic Excellence
in Biomedical Engineering, 2000
Graduate school: Master of Business Administration, University of Colorado Denver, Denver,
Co., recipient of Dean’s Super Merit Scholarship, 2003
Medical school: M.D., University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, elected to AOA
Residency: Internal medicine (categorical), UCSD Medical Center, San Diego, CA
Chief residency: UCSD Internal Medicine Residency Program – San Diego VA Medical Center
Areas of professional focus:
Selected bibliography:
Regional responsibilities:
Personal interests:Hiking, healthy cooking, world travel, Board of Directors of Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Irene Hendrickson, M.D.
Faculty Instructor, Providence Medical Group at St. Vincent
Personal statement: I’m honored to be among such outstanding faculty here at Providence St. Vincent. I consider my colleagues to be the best visionaries and innovators for teaching the complexity of health care today, starting from the best evidence-based practices and medical knowledge, to new systems such as our medical home clinic model and the unique geographic care of the Accountable Care Unit (ACU) on the wards. My favorite part of teaching here is that I am inspired by the mission of constant service and the commitment to our patients that is universally emphasized. I love taking care of patients, and as your teacher, my goal is for you to have passion and joy in your role as a doctor.
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science, biology, University of Portland, Portland, Ore.,
magna cum laude
Medical school: M.D. Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, Neb.
Residency: Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, Portland, Ore.
Fellowship: Samuel L. Wise Fellowship in General Internal Medicine, Oregon Health
& Science University, Academic Medicine focus
Awards:
Kenneth E.W. Melvin, M.D., Award for Excellence in the Practice of Medicine,
Providence St. Vincent Medicine Residency Program
Outstanding Intern of the Year, Providence St. Vincent
Areas of academic focus:
Regional responsibilities:
Teaching responsibilities:
Personal interests:
My husband and my seven kids are my greatest joy. When I’m not cheering
them on at all their activities, I enjoy yoga, ballroom dancing, biking,
hiking and going to the beach.
Emily E. Hitchcock, M.D., FACP
Faculty Physician, Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
Clinical Assistant Professor, Oregon Health & Science University
Personal statement: As a clinician educator, Dr. Hitchcock finds fulfillment in both her physician-patient relationships and her mentor-resident relationships. Much as she enjoys helping patients find the right road to lead them to a healthier, better quality of life, so she enjoys helping her residents develop from enthusiastic but tentative young physicians into mature, confident and competent clinicians ready for independent practice. With patients, she focuses on creating a personalized health care program that can really work in an individual's life. With residents she identifies each resident’s strengths to support and areas of growth potential, helping guide her residents’ learning and experiences to best prepare them for a happy and successful future in medicine.
Undergraduate: Swarthmore College, Bachelor of Arts philosophy, with distinction.
Medical school: University of Pennsylvania
Residency: University of Rochester
Chief Resident: University of Rochester
Areas of academic focus:
Regional responsibilities:
Teaching responsibilities:
Personal interests:
Spending time with my family, gardening, cooking, jogging, cycling and
yoga. Teaching mindfulness meditation in the community.
Claudia Leonard, M.D., FACP
Faculty Instructor, Internal Medicine
Undergraduate: Harvard University, A.B.
cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Medical school: Harvard Medical School
Residency: Internal medicine, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston
Awards:
American College of Physicians, Oregon Chapter, Laureate Award 2019
American College of Physicians, Oregon Chapter Howard P. Lewis Distinguished
Teacher Award 2015
Spirit of Emile Award Mission Inspiration Award Recipient 2008
Top Doctor in
Portland Monthly magazine five times
Areas of academic focus:
Regional and National responsibilities:
Personal interests:
Traveling, hiking and skiing with my husband and three children. Gardening,
camping, reading and virtual visits with friends have sustained me during
the pandemic.
Laura Loertscher, M.D., FACP
Internal Medicine
Affiliate Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General
Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Oregon Health & Science University
School of Medicine
Personal statement: I am fortunate to have found joy, passion and balance in my career due to the relationships, innovative flexibility, and academic rigor of a community program. This setting provides the ideal environment to cultivate our learners’ intrinsic drive and curiosity while coaching and role modeling outstanding, patient-centered, high-value medical care. Each learner brings their unique strengths and personality; my role as an educator is to help them reach their greatest potential by revealing value in their learning and meaning in their work.
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science human biology, Marquette University,
summa cum laude
Graduate: Master of Public Health, University of Minnesota
Medical school: Mayo Medical School, Rochester, Minn.
Residency: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Chief residency: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Awards:
Areas of academic focus:
Selected recent publications:
Regional and national responsibilities:
Teaching responsibilities:
Personal interests:
Running, soccer, quilting and spending time in the beautiful Oregon outdoors
with my husband and two young sons
Shelley Schoepflin Sanders, M.D., FACP
Program Lead, Sepsis Focus Group, Providence St. Joseph Health
Affiliate Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health &
Science University
Faculty Instructor, Internal Medicine
Personal statement: I chose Providence St. Vincent for residency because the program philosophy and structure create academic rigor while the faculty embody what it means to be somebody’s doctor. I’ve stayed on as faculty because I thrive in our environment of continuous innovation.
I love being part of the future of medicine, both as a mentor for residents and as a health systems innovator.
In my PSJH system role as program lead for the Sepsis Focus Group across our 51 hospitals, and in my local role as faculty at Providence St. Vincent, I have the opportunity to connect residents with diverse projects that have robust data and analytic support:
Education:
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science, Walla Walla College,
summa cum laude
Graduate: Master of Theological Studies, Vanderbilt Divinity School, Brandon Honor
Scholarship
Medical school: Doctor of Medicine with distinction in research, University of Rochester
School of Medicine and Dentistry, Alpha Omega Alpha
Residency: Providence St. Vincent Internal Medicine Residency
Chief residency: Providence St. Vincent Internal Medicine Residency
Teaching responsibilities:
Personal interests:
Spending time with family, windsurfing, triathlon, photography, gardening, piano
Regional responsibilities:
Alexander D. Schafir, M.D., FACP
Faculty Instructor, Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
Clin. Asst. Professor of Medicine, Oregon Health and Sciences University
Personal statement: Humans have always sought healing. It is a privilege and joy to answer that call; to be, everyday, somebody’s doctor. I became a clinician-educator in order to share that enthusiasm with you. I have a particular interest in teaching students and residents about “agendas” during clinic visits: the challenge of discovering our patients’ deep concerns and reconciling those with our own vision of their health needs. In addition, I hope to help you develop your own skills as an educator of students and interns during your residency. I am proud to be part of an energetic faculty with high standards for ourselves and our residents—a group that views physicians, including residents, as obligate leaders in our rapidly changing field.
Undergraduate school: Princeton University, Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, biology, Sigma Psi Scientific Research Society
Medical school: UCLA School of Medicine, Alpha Omega Alpha, Aesculapians Award for Outstanding
Leadership
Residency: University of Washington, Seattle
Chief residency: University of Washington, Providence Seattle Hospital
Scholar: Harvard Macy Program for Clinician Educators
Areas of academic focus:
Regional responsibilities:
Teaching responsibilities:
Personal interests:
My family sea-kayaks, travels to far corners, and builds community in our
neighborhood. I run; I bike-commute; and I seek out Portland’s jazz.
Stephanie Griffith, M.D.
Teaching responsibilities:
Leadership Responsibilities:
Scholarly Work:
Awards:
Personal Interests:
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Shahana Baig-Lewis, M.D.
Personal Statement:
I am honored to be part of the core faculty of the internal medicine residency program at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. Our residency is an innovative academically rigorous community training program that emphasizes outstanding patient care, educational excellence, service to our community, and physician wellbeing. I am excited to be part of this outstanding group of physician educators who understand the privilege of being someone’s doctor and who are inspired to share their love of medicine with future generations. As a faculty member I am here to advocate for, coach, mentor, teach, and sponsor our residents to be the best physicians they can be, and in turn to provide our patients and our community with the best care possible.
Undergraduate: Mount Holyoke College, B.A. Biochemistry, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Psi Scientific Research Society
Graduate: Portland State University, Master of Public Health, Health Administration Policy, Academic Excellence
Medical School: Oregon Health & Science University, Academic Scholar Student Fellow, Department of Pathology, Oregon Health & Science University
Internship and Residency: Oregon Health & Science University, Internal Medicine Residency Program
Chief Resident: Oregon Health & Science University, Internal Medicine Residency Program
Professional Development:
Oregon Health & Science University Educational Scholars Program, class of 2019-2020
Longitudinal program providing faculty development in educational scholarship
Stanford Faculty Professional Development Clinical Teaching Series, 2019
Oregon Heath & Science University, Active Bystander Strategies Course, 2019
Areas of academic focus:
*Bias in Medicine
*Curriculum Development
*Diagnostic Reasoning: teaching learners how to think
*Evidence-based Medicine: asking clinical questions in the ambulatory and acute care setting
*Physical Exam: bedside skills
*Physician Wellness
*Mentorship and Sponsorship: with emphasis on career planning
*Medical Scholarship
*Women in Academic Medical Leadership
National/Regional Responsibilities:
*ACP abstract reviewer
*SGIM 2019 planning committee member
Curriculum Development:
Workshop session on discrimination in the workplace
Reflection groups for interns on university and VA wards
Ambulatory Report/Educational Prescription Project Redesign
Surgical Curb-siders: ask the expert sessions
Intern Report Redesign
Chair Report Redesign
Presentations/Publications/Workshops:
Baig-Lewis S, Chesteen K, Liu P and Wurzburger R. Minding the gap between UME and GME by restructuring an intern report curriculum. Innovations in medicine poster presentation. NW Regional SGIM annual meeting. Portland, OR. Jan 2020.
Baig-Lewis S, and Saedi T. Fever and Rash: The perplexing presentation of a common disease; a case of EBV viremia. Poster presentation. Oregon ACP Conference. Salem, OR. November 2018.
Baig-Lewis S, Morrison L, Troxell M, and Mansoor A, MD. An Uncommon Cause of Hematuria in an Elderly Man. Poster presentation. Oregon ACP Conference. Salem OR. November 2015.
Baig-Lewis S, Stanley N, Hacker F, Hanifin J, and Morgan T.Atopic Dermatitis is Associated with Obstetric Complications of Placental Insufficiency. Poster presentation. Society for Reproductive Investigation 62nd Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA. March 2015.
Weese K, Hanifin J, Mahmood M, Larson B,Baig-Lewis S, Long T, Lim J, Berlin M, Morgan T. Atopic dermatitis is associated with high risk human papillomavirus infection. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2015 Oct:19(4):345-9.
Slifka MK, Leung DYM, Hammarlund E, Raué H-P, Simpson EL, Tofte S,Baig-Lewis S, David G, Lynn H, Woolson R, Hata T, Milgrom H, Hanifin J. Transcutaneous yellow fever vaccination of subjects with or without atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Inmmunol. 2014 Feb 133(2):439-447.
Rendell M, Baig-Lewis S, Berry T, Denny M, Simpson B, Brown P, Simpson E. Do early skin care practices alter the risk of atopic dermatitis? A case-control study. Pediatric Dermatol. 2011 Sep-Oct;28 (5):593-5.
Peterson-Nedry W, Erdeniz N, Kremer S, Yu JA, Baig-Lewis S, Wehrli M. Unexpectedly robust assembly of the Axin destruction complex regulates Wnt/Wg signaling in Drosophila as revealed by analysis in vivo. Developmental biology. 2008 Aug: 320(1):226-241.
Baig-Lewis S, Peterson-Nedry W, Wehrli M. Wingless/Wnt signal transduction requires distinct initiation and amplification steps that both depend on Arrow/LRP. Developmental Biology. 2007 June: 306(1):94-111.
Teaching Responsibilities:
*Clinical instructor – Accountable Care Unit and SIBR
*Clinical preceptor – medical home attending
*Medical student teaching (OHSU third year medical students)
Personal interests:
Spending time with my family including my spouse, a local plastic surgeon,and our two children, distance running, traveling, cooking, and trying new cuisines, as well as reading and binge-watching British competitions such as the Great British Baking Show.
