Physician Scholars and Clinical Volunteers chosen in grant program from Montage Health Foundation
Montage Health Foundation has named its second group of Physician Scholars and Clinical Volunteers in a program launched in 2019 to recognize outstanding Monterey County doctors and provide grants in support of their pursuit of professional excellence and volunteer work.
Selected as physician scholars in spring 2020 were:
Dr. Alexander Dubelman, Dr. Jason Emejuru, and Dr. Michael Stuntz. Dr. Richard Alexander was awarded a Clinical Volunteer grant for the second time.
“These physicians represent what is best about our
local doctors, who as a medical staff are committed to staying on the forefront of medical knowledge and to serving people at home and around the world,” says
Dr. Dan Hightower, chair of the selection committee.
The Physician Scholars and Clinical Volunteers program was established by Montage Health Foundation as part of Montage Health’s efforts to engage, recruit, and retain the finest doctors for our community. Awards are made twice a year and the program is open to all independent, private practice, Montage Medical Group, or hospital-based physicians in Monterey County. Honorees were selected
by the foundation’s grants subcommittee, led by Hightower and including Dr. Jill Airola, Dr. Lauren Farac, Dr. Michael Fritsch, Dr. Guru Khalsa, Dr. Zach Koontz, Dr. Craig Stauffer, and Margi Wiest, a member of the Montage Health Foundation Board.
“We’re extremely pleased to provide grants supporting the work of these amazing doctors, who are committed to constantly learning and growing and to using their expertise to serve people in need,” says Kevin Causey,
vice president and chief development officer of
Montage Health Foundation.
"Our community is fortunate to have so many doctors doing such meaningful work at home and around the world. We’re pleased Montage Health Foundation is able to provide some support to recognize the vital work they are doing, in so many ways. The work of these doctors has impacts within our community and far beyond."
— Dr. Steven Packer, President/CEO, Montage Health
Following is information about the honorees and their work.
Physician Scholars
Dr. Alexander Dubelman, a cardiac anesthesiologist, was awarded a grant for a week-long fellowship in cardiac imaging at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The training focuses on imaging done during procedures in cardiac catheterization labs and in operating rooms.
Dr. Jason Emejuru, a pediatric psychiatrist with Community Hospital’s Ohana program, was awarded a grant for training in the use of an assessment tool that is considered the gold standard in diagnosing autism spectrum disorders. Families in Monterey County now wait up to a year to see one of the few local doctors certified to use the tool. Early diagnosis of autism can lead to treatments to improve language, cognitive, and adaptive skills.
Dr. Michael Stuntz, a general surgeon, was awarded a grant for a research project to explore the impacts that breast cancer and its treatment have on women’s mental and physical health. The study will focus on interpersonal relationships and issues related to areas including self-esteem and sexuality. Stuntz, who frequently does breast cancer surgeries, will work with oncologists to develop and conduct the project.
Clinical Volunteer
Dr. Richard Alexander, an obstetrician/gynecologist, was awarded a grant for his volunteer work with Westmont Bethel Hospital in Guatemala. For about two decades, Alexander has volunteered at and raised money for Westmont, a nonprofit hospital that cares for underserved residents in the poorest section of the city. This was Alexander’s second Montage Health Foundation volunteer grant.
PREVIOUS HONOREES
The first Physician Scholar and Clinical Volunteers were selected in late 2019. Details on those honorees and their grants follows.
Physician Scholars
Dr. Anders Dahlstrom, a specialist in pediatric gastroenterology, received a grant to attend the 4th World Congress of Digestive Diseases in China, to deliver a keynote speech on a research project. Dahlstrom’s speech focused on research into using treatments other than antibiotics for gastrointestinal disorders and autoimmune conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, and celiac disease. In 2020, he was awarded a second grant to complete two scientific papers.
Dr. Arina Golubeva-Ganeles, an oncologist, was awarded a grant for a course in clinical cancer genetics through the City of Hope, a specialist in cancer research. Ganeles is participating in the course through distance learning so she may maintain her practice in Monterey. In 2020, she was awarded a second grant to continue training.
Dr. Peter Gerbino, an orthopedic surgeon, was awarded a grant to attend a Stanford University Business School program, The Innovative Health Care Leader: From Design Thinking to Personal Leadership. Gerbino has served in numerous leadership roles at Community Hospital, including chief of surgery and chief of orthopedics.
Dr. Jill Tiongco, a primary care doctor with Montage Medical Group and chief medical informatics officer for Montage Health, was awarded a grant to attend the Advanced Management Program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The program immerses participants in coursework, coaching, and experiential learning to develop visionary leadership capabilities.
Dr. Douglas Sunde, a plastic surgeon, was awarded a grant to provide training in plastic surgery, particularly hand surgery, to Stanford University Medical School residents and fellows. Sunde does the training at the Palo Alto Veterans Administration Hospital, operating on veterans during day-long teaching sessions 10 times each year.
In addition to Dr. Richard Alexander, recipients
of Clinical Volunteer grants in late 2019 were:
Dr. David Awerbuck, an ear, nose, and throat specialist, was awarded a grant to provide equipment and training to perform endoscopic sinus surgeries at the Children’s Surgical Centre in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Dr. Robert Collins, an Emergency department doctor at Community Hospital, was awarded a grant to support volunteer service with Community Health Partnership Honduras, serving as part of a team that sees 150-200 patients a day from rural areas.
Dr. Chris Hansen, a pathologist and medical director of Community Hospital’s laboratory, was awarded a grant for volunteer work in Rwanda, where he provides training and supplies to diagnose disease.
Dr. David Morwood, a plastic surgeon, was awarded a grant for his volunteer work providing free plastic surgery in developing countries for children with cleft lip and palate deformities, burned hands, and other issues.
“Our community is fortunate to have so many doctors doing such meaningful work at home and around the world,” says Steven Packer, MD, president/CEO of Montage Health. “We’re pleased Montage Health Foundation is able to provide some support to recognize the vital work they are doing, in so many ways. The work of these doctors has impacts within our community and far beyond.”
