Potpourri of IM Topics of the VOCCME 2025

Gage Alvernaz, DO Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Gage Alvernaz has dedicated his clinical interests to Pediatric Pulmonology. He is completing his fellowship in Pediatric Pulmonary at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and is set to graduate in June 2025. Dr. Alvernaz began his medical journey at California State University, Chico earning his Bachelor of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology. He then received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine in Dothan, Alabama. Dr. Alvernaz completed his residency in Pediatrics at Oklahoma State University, where he developed a passion for pulmonary care. Dr. Alvernaz is board-certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics.

Dr. Alvernaz has a special interest in treating children with technology dependence, asthma, neuromuscular diseases affecting the pulmonary system, and aerodigestive disorders. He has contributed to several research projects, including work on exercise-induced dyspnea and long-term lung function in bone marrow transplant patients. 

Outside of his professional life, Dr. Alvernaz’s biggest pride is his family. He is married with two children, ages 3 and 1. As a family, they enjoy exploring the Minnesota outdoors, indulging in various cuisines, and watching superhero movies. 

Dr. Alvernaz discloses he has no relevant financial relationships with any organization producing, marketing, reselling, or distributing goods or services consumed by or used on patients relative to the content of this presentation.

Robert Ellis, DO, PhD, FACP, CS Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Robert Ellis is a Medical Oncologist who specializes in the holistic care of cancer patients. He joined Northwest Permanente Medical Group, Portland, Oregon, in 2005. Dr Ellis is a Costin scholar and is a faculty member of the Healthy Living and Wellness curriculum and Lifestyle Medicine track at Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in Pomona, California. Dr. Ellis is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is also board-certified in Internal Medicine by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine and in Palliative Medicine by the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. In addition, he is also a Diplomate of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners and the American Academy of Pain Management. Dr. Ellis also has professional training in plant-based nutrition and plant-based culinary arts. He is a certified culinary medicine specialist.

Dr. Ellis was a 1987 graduate of the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. He also holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the Rosalind Franklin University of Health Sciences, Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Ellis completed his residency in Internal Medicine at William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas, and his fellowship in Hematology/Medical Oncology at Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington. Dr. Ellis previously served as the Medical Director of the Cancer Center of Southwest Washington and Hospice of Southwest Washington. A 26-year US Army veteran, Dr. Ellis left active duty in 2001 as a colonel.

Dr. Ellis discloses he has no relevant financial relationships with any organization producing, marketing, reselling, or distributing healthcare goods or services consumed by or used on patients relative to the content of this presentation.

Benjamin D. Grin, MD Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Benjamin Grin, MD, MPH, completed his Bachelor of Arts in International Relations at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He then received his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. He received his MPH from Brown University. Dr. Grin completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, where he served as chief medical resident in 2018. Dr. Grin is board-certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. 

Dr. Grin is an Assistant Professor of Primary Care at Kansas City University in Kansas City, Missouri. He teaches clinical skills to 1st-year and 2nd-year medical students and is involved in expanding public health training within the medical school. He previously was a Clinical Instructor at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Grin is currently the Chief Medical Officer of the Kansas City Missouri Health Department (KCHD). He provides strategic leadership for KCHD’s clinical programs and is a key leadership team member. Dr. Grin maintains an active clinical practice at the KC CARE Health Center. His clinical work includes primary care, HIV care, and care for patients with substance use disorders.

Dr. Grin is a member of the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of HIV Medicine. He serves as the committee chair for the Community Outreach Taskforce and is a Faculty Senate Representative at Kansas City University. He has served on various committees at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Kansas City University, and around Kansas City. Ingram’s Magazine named him a Kansas City Top Doctor in 2023. 

Dr. Grin discloses he has no relevant financial relationships with any organization producing, marketing, reselling, or distributing healthcare goods or services consumed by or used on patients relative to the content of this presentation.

Mena Henien, MD Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Mena Henien is currently a cardiology fellow at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis, Oregon. He received his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, West Indies, where he graduated with high honors. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Illinois OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois. He completed his Cardiovascular fellowship at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis, Oregon. Dr. Henien is board-certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. 

Dr. Henien greatly enjoys teaching. He spent time as an anatomy teaching assistant while in school. After completing his residency, he joined the UIC Internal Medicine department as a teaching faculty member. He is a member of the American College of Cardiology, the American Thoracic Society, the American Heart Association, the American Medical Association, and the American College of Physicians. His areas of interest include minimally invasive cardiovascular interventions.

Dr. Henien’s hobbies outside work include playing and watching soccer, swimming, traveling, and being involved in the Coptic Orthodox Community.

Dr. Henien discloses he has no relevant financial relationships with any organization producing, marketing, reselling, or distributing healthcare goods or services consumed by or used on patients relative to the content of this presentation.

Phillip King, MD Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Phillip King grew up in Columbia, Missouri. He attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, for his undergraduate studies in biochemistry. He completed his medical training at the University of Missouri School of Medicine in Columbia, Missouri, where he graduated third in his class and became a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor medical school society. Dr. King completed his residency in Internal Medicine and his fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease, Advanced Heart Failure, and Transplant Cardiology at Washington University, Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Dr. King joined Mercy Hospital in 2023 as a staff cardiologist. He focuses his care on the management of patients with congestive heart failure. Dr. King is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is also board-certified in Nuclear Cardiology by the Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology. Dr. King has authored several papers and book chapters on topics in advanced heart failure. 

Dr. King discloses he has no relevant financial relationships with any organization producing, marketing, reselling, or distributing healthcare goods or services consumed by or used on patients relative to the content of this presentation.

Kevin Miller, DO Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Kevin Miller is an Osteopathic board-certified Family Practitioner by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. He received his medical degree from A.T. Still University – Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) in 1995. Dr. Miller accompanied his physician wife to the Pacific Northwest after completing his Residency training at Cuyahoga Fall General Hospital in Cuyahoga, Ohio. He co-founded Diabetes Nation, a non-profit organization, and Diabetes and Obesity Care, where he practices part-time in Bend, Oregon. Dr. Miller has cultivated a special interest in diabetes, health and exercise, and disease prevention. He believes diabetes and obesity care provide the foundational model to identify disease risk, improve health, reduce complications, and impact the financial burden of chronic medical conditions.

An experienced clinician and leader, Dr. Miller’s involvement has included service to the state as a board member, President, and long-time board member of the Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of Oregon (OPSO), Oregon’s rural health coordinating council member, and founding member of the Bryan Institute of Physician Leadership.

Dr. Miller is married and has two children. His interests include hiking, biking, history, and spending time with his family.

Dr. Miller discloses he is a researcher for Abbott and a consultant for Bioliq. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

Payal Patel, MD, FIDSA, MPH Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Payal Patel is an Associate Professor and the systemwide medical director of Antimicrobial Stewardship at Intermountain Health in Murray, Utah. She is an infectious diseases physician and previously was medical director of antimicrobial stewardship at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and faculty at the University of Michigan. Dr. Patel completed her Bachelor of Arts in Public Health and Humanities from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. She then graduated with her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Medicine in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Patel then completed her Masters in Public Health from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Patel completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the University Hospital and Audie Murphy Veterans Affairs Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. She then completed her fellowship in Infectious Disease at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Patel is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine. 

Dr. Patel is a voting member of the Presidential Advisory Council on Combatting Antibiotic Resistance and has expertise in infection prevention, antimicrobial resistance, and public health. She is a member of the American College of Physicians, the Infectious Disease Society of America, and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. 

Dr Patel’s research interests include the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship, international efforts in antimicrobial stewardship, implementation of infection prevention, and large-scale efforts in infection prevention. She received the Antimicrobial Stewardship Scholar Award in 2021 from the Society of Healthcare Epidemiology and the Johns Hopkins Distinguished Alumni Award in 2021. She has been honored with various other awards for research and teaching. 

Dr. Patel discloses she is a consultant for Qiagen and a promotional speaker for Roche Diagnostics and Cormedix. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

Merri Lou Pendergrass, MD, PhD Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Merri Lou Pendergrass is a Professor of Medicine and Clinical Chief of Endocrinology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson, Arizona. Dr. Pendergrass earned her doctorate in biopsychology at the University of Texas, Austin, and her medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas. She completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Texas, San Antonio, where she also completed a fellowship in Endocrinology and Metabolism. She previously directed diabetes programs associated with Tulane (Medical Center of Louisiana) and Harvard (Brigham and Women’s Hospital) Medical Schools. She also served as vice president and National Practice Leader for the Diabetes Therapeutic Resource Center of Medco Health Solutions, Inc. Her responsibilities included developing, implementing, and evaluating population-based strategies delivered through the pharmacy to improve diabetes care. Dr. Pendergrass is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism by the American Board of Internal Medicine.     

Dr. Pendergrass received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Arizona Department of Medicine in 2017 and 2018. She also received the Care Award from the Arizona Chapter of the American Diabetes Association in 2016. Tucson Lifestyle Magazine also named her one of America’s Top Docs in 2015. Her research focuses on practice change and how to assess and improve the quality of diabetes healthcare delivery. 

Dr. Pendergrass discloses she has no relevant financial relationships with any organization producing, marketing, reselling, or distributing healthcare goods or services consumed by or used on patients relative to the content of this presentation.