Please review the candidate roster before August 28, 2023.
Petitions and candidate petition materials will be accepted until August 23. Please see the AACA Bylaws for specific petition instructions. A revised candidate listing will be posted by August 24 if necessary.
Such nomination petitions may consist of either a single document or separate letters. To qualify for nomination by petition, each candidate must be an Active Full Member and have the support of at least fifteen (15) Full Members in good standing. All petitions and/or letters of nomination plus a letter from the nominee indicating his/her willingness to be a candidate must be received by the Association Secretary, Mohammed Khalil ([email protected]) by August 23rd along with a headshot, current CV, short biography highlighting credentials, and a personal statement on your interest in this position.
The AACA Election Ballot will be sent out via e-mail on Monday, August 28 to all members (Affiliate, Honored, Regular, and Senior) that were active as of May 1. The subject line of the email will say "AACA Election Ballot Open - Voting will end on September 6 at 11:45 PM Eastern." This communication will contain a link to the ballot and each member will be provided with a unique code to enter in prior to voting. If you do not receive the ballot on August 28, 2023, or if you have questions, please contact AACA HQ for assistance.
The AACA Election Ballot will be sent out via e-mail on Monday, August 28 to all members (Affiliate, Honored, Regular, and Senior) that were active as of May 1. The subject line of the email will say "AACA Election Ballot Open - Voting will end on September 6 at 11:45 PM Eastern." This communication will contain a link to the ballot and each member will be provided with a unique code to enter in prior to voting. If you do not receive the ballot on August 28, 2023, or if you have questions, please contact AACA HQ for assistance.
Candidates
Treasurer (You may vote for one)
Biography: Dr. Paulette Bernd earned an undergraduate degree in Biology from Colgate University and a Ph.D. in Anatomy and Cell Biology from Columbia University. She has been a Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons since 2008. At her prior position at SUNY Downstate Medical Center she was honored by the State University of New York as a Distinguished Teaching Professor for her innovative teaching and curriculum for gross anatomy at the medical school.Dr. Bernd is an active member of both the American Association of Clinical Anatomists and the American Association for Anatomy. In 2016 she was a co-organizer of the Regional Meeting of the American Association of Anatomists at Columbia University.
In the first half of her career, Dr. Bernd investigated the role of neurotrophins during development, publishing more than 30 peer-reviewed papers and contributing chapters to five books. Her current interests focus on the creation of educational materials, as well as the globalization of medical education. Together with Dr. Anette Wu, Dr. Bernd co-founded the International Collaboration and Exchange Program which currently includes 25 medical schools around the world. Over seven peer-reviewed publications have resulted from this program.
Since arriving at Columbia, Dr. Bernd has transformed the Gross Anatomy course, making it one of the most popular courses at the medical school. The new course stresses teamwork and problem based active learning, while focusing on integrating multimodal clinical imaging with anatomical dissection. Dr. Bernd created a media rich interactive electronic dissection manual with self-assessment and learning objectives for each lab. It is used in several other medical schools and was featured in the Wall Street Journal. Dr. Bernd has also created interactive computer modules for small group study of clinical correlations. In addition, students have the unique ability to determine their anatomical donor’s cause of death using a CT scan of the body and pathological processing of tumors, resulting in the writing of an autopsy report.
Statement: I am honored to have been nominated to run for Treasurer of the American Association of Clinical Anatomy, a group I have benefited from as an active member for decades. As Treasurer, I would be overseeing the financial records of the AACA, including that of Clinical Anatomy. I would hope to work closely with the President and committees to assure that their goals for the membership can be accomplished.
View CV Here
Biography: Dr. Gurvinder Kaur earned her Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), Lubbock, TX. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Education, at TTUHSC-School of Medicine (SOM). Dr. Kaur serves as Block/course Director for several courses in the SOM and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Kaur teaches gross anatomy, histology, embryology, and ultrasound to medical students. She has received the TTUHSC President’s Excellence in Teaching award, President’s Team-Teaching award for the Clinically Oriented Anatomy course, President’s Team-Teaching award for Family Medicine Accelerated Track course and Dean’s Basic Science Teaching awards. Dr. Kaur is the Program Advisor for the Graduate Medical Education Sciences program and serves as the Chair of the TTUHSC-SOM Education Operations Committee.
Dr. Kaur is an active member of both the American Association of Clinical Anatomists (AACA) and the American Association for Anatomy (AAA). She currently serves on the AACA-Career Development Committee. In 2022, she received the prestigious AACA Early Career Travel award. Dr. Kaur is an Assistant Editor of the bi-annual newsletter of the Association of STEMM Pathway & Bridge Programs. Dr. Kaur has served as an External grant reviewer for various international agencies. Her research has been highlighted in Nature Medicine and Biology of Reproduction and her work has been selected for the cover photo for Spermatogenesis and DNA and Cell Biology journals.
Statement: I am honored to receive the nomination to serve as the Treasurer for the AACA. From the outset of my career as a medical educator, the AACA has provided me with a nurturing and supportive environment, truly becoming my professional “home”. Its role in shaping my growth and development as an educator cannot be overstated. Having actively engaged with the AACA over the years, I have acquired invaluable insights into its overarching mission and strategic goals. My membership in the Career Development Committee has been particularly rewarding, giving me the privilege of collaborating with a dynamic and accomplished group of individuals. Our collaborative efforts have included orchestrating annual networking and development events for emerging professionals and hosting a virtual CART session “The Art of Negotiation” which was well received by the AACA members.My unwavering dedication to advancing anatomical education and research has been a driving force throughout my professional journey. I have consistently exhibited a profound passion for this field, which I am eager to channel into ensuring the financial health and enduring viability of our cherished organization. If granted the opportunity to serve as Treasurer, I am committed to upholding the highest standards of financial transparency and accountability, working collaboratively with fellow members to support the AACA’s continued growth and success.
View CV Here
Biography: I am Dr. Mathangi Rajaram-Gilkes. I had completed my medical degree in India and served as an Emergency room physician in Grenada general hospital, West Indies for many years. Following this I had joined Saint George’s University, School of Medicine in Grenada and completed my Masters in Anatomical Sciences. I am an accomplished educator and physician with a strong dedication to advancing the field of anatomical sciences. With nine years of experience as a physician in the Emergency Department and over two decades as an educator, I have developed a profound understanding of medical education and the intricacies of the human body. As an assistant professor of Anatomical Sciences at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, I specialize in teaching Gross Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, and basic Pathology. My passion for teaching is evident in my role as a Course Director, Vice Chair of the Anatomy Department, and Director of Premedical Sciences during my tenure at Saint George's University. I possess a dynamic skill set that encompasses both medical expertise and financial acumen, making me a well-rounded candidate for contributing to the growth and success of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. Statement: I am Dr. Mathangi Rajaram-Gilkes. I am deeply honored to present my candidacy for the position of Treasurer in the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. As an assistant professor of Anatomical Sciences with a steadfast commitment to advancing the field, I bring a wealth of experience and dedication that align perfectly with the responsibilities of this role.
Throughout my academic journey, I have been dedicated to the art of teaching and fostering a deeper understanding of anatomical sciences among students. With over two decades of experience in medical education, including serving as a Course Director, Vice Chair of the Anatomy Department, and Director of Premedical Sciences, I have developed a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies and demands of academic administration. My background as a physician, coupled with my extensive tenure at Saint George's University, has instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility, precision, and financial acumen—qualities that are essential for the role of Treasurer.
My passion for education is matched only by my meticulous approach to financial management. As a faculty member who has contributed to diverse academic projects and managed budgets efficiently, I have demonstrated a keen ability to balance resources and streamline expenses. My familiarity with various teaching platforms, flipped classroom methodologies, and evolving curriculum requirements has equipped me to make informed financial decisions that align with the Association's goals and aspirations.I believe that my unique blend of academic experience, financial proficiency, and passion for anatomical sciences make me an ideal candidate for the position of Treasurer. If entrusted with this role, I am committed to upholding the Association's financial integrity, ensuring transparent accounting practices, and working collaboratively with fellow members to contribute to the growth and success of the organization. Thank you for considering my candidacy, and I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to serve and support the Anatomical Association.
Throughout my academic journey, I have been dedicated to the art of teaching and fostering a deeper understanding of anatomical sciences among students. With over two decades of experience in medical education, including serving as a Course Director, Vice Chair of the Anatomy Department, and Director of Premedical Sciences, I have developed a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies and demands of academic administration. My background as a physician, coupled with my extensive tenure at Saint George's University, has instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility, precision, and financial acumen—qualities that are essential for the role of Treasurer.
My passion for education is matched only by my meticulous approach to financial management. As a faculty member who has contributed to diverse academic projects and managed budgets efficiently, I have demonstrated a keen ability to balance resources and streamline expenses. My familiarity with various teaching platforms, flipped classroom methodologies, and evolving curriculum requirements has equipped me to make informed financial decisions that align with the Association's goals and aspirations.I believe that my unique blend of academic experience, financial proficiency, and passion for anatomical sciences make me an ideal candidate for the position of Treasurer. If entrusted with this role, I am committed to upholding the Association's financial integrity, ensuring transparent accounting practices, and working collaboratively with fellow members to contribute to the growth and success of the organization. Thank you for considering my candidacy, and I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to serve and support the Anatomical Association.
View CV Here
