Current Clinical Scholars

Angela Marie Bailey, MD

Dr. Bailey’s research interests center on reducing health disparities, particularly for Spanish-speaking patients and those with mental health disorders. Her fascination with big data research and the potential to create personalized care tools was sparked during her time at the Michigan Genomics Initiative. Her journey led her to delve into health informatics and machine learning, and in medical school, she collaborated on a project using machine learning to predict newborn readmission risks. These skills are transferable, and Dr. Bailey aims to apply them to benefit trauma patients during her dedicated academic development. Her commitment to leveraging data and technology to improve healthcare is evident in her pursuits.

Raheem Bell, MD

Dr. Bell's research and career focus is on Thoracic Oncology, with a particular emphasis on health equity and policy. Additionally, he is interested in improving the quality of cancer care and optimizing patient outcomes. Dr. Bell joined the American College of Surgeons Cancer Programs through an institutional T32 grant in partnership with the Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research & Education in Surgery (NQUIRES) program. He also receives independent funding from the Thoracic Surgery Foundation and AstraZeneca and will collaborate with community clinics in the greater metropolitan area to address longstanding disparities in lung cancer care through the creation of a novel lung cancer screening tool.

Furthermore, Dr. Bell will partner with the University of Michigan's Center for Healthcare Outcomes & Policy (CHOP) to enhance his quantitative and qualitative skills through work in Dr. David Odell's lab, and pursue a Master of Science in Law at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law to complement his expertise in health policy and advocacy.

Dr. Bell was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, before immigrating to New Jersey with his family, where he spent part of his childhood. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Boston College, a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Tufts University, and completed his medical degree at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Currently a general surgery resident at Northwestern, he is excited to integrate his diverse experiences into a career as a thoracic surgeon and oncologist, equipped with the tools to research, innovate, and advocate for patients in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

Kelley Chan, MD

Dr. Chan’s research interests include surgical and oncologic outcomes, quality improvement, and health disparities. Dr. Chan grew up in New York City and then went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from The University of Notre Dame and medical degree from the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. She is currently taking time away from general surgery residency at Loyola University Medical Center to complete her research fellowship at the American College of Surgeons. As a Clinical Scholar with the Cancer Programs, her research will center on oncologic outcomes review, quality improvement, and evidence-based standards for cancer care.

Geoffrey Hobika, MD

Dr. Geoffrey Hobika is a PGY2 surgical resident at the University at Buffalo currently working with the American College of Surgeons in his protected academic research time studying surgical health policy, especially as related to patient outcomes and their interplay within larger health systems and government entities. He received his BA in clinical psychology from Canisius University in 2017, and his MD from the University at Buffalo in 2022. He completed a preliminary surgical internship with the University at Buffalo in 2023, and this past year a categorical PGY1 year with Buffalo. A native to Western New York, he became interested in trauma surgery in middle school at a Buffalo Sabres game after watching a local sports medicine surgeon stabilize and transfer a player with a potentially life-threatening neck injury to Erie County Medical Center, the local trauma hospital. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, cooking, and going on hikes with his wife Corrine Kickel and their two dogs. His research interests include EGS and trauma outcomes, as well as health policy and advocacy, both of which he hopes to incorporate into a future academic career.

Brett Allan Johnson, MD

Dr. Johnson’s career aspirations are deeply rooted in his life experiences. He is determined to pursue a fellowship in surgical oncology and an academic surgery career to enhance patient care. As a former Division 1 baseball player, he values teamwork and thrives in high-pressure environments, akin to the operating room. Brett's commitment to optimal patient care and academia stems from supporting his wife through her breast cancer journey, which included chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. While he strives for excellence in surgery, he dedicates a significant part of his career to pioneering research to improve patient care.

Shelbie Kirkendoll, DO, MS

Dr. Kirkendoll will be spending two years with the ACS Committee on Trauma to conduct research related to firearm injury prevention. During her dedicated research time, she will obtain a Master’s in Health Services and Outcomes Research through Northwestern University. She grew up in a rural town outside of Kansas City, Missouri, and attended Missouri Western State University where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Biology. She then went on to receive both a Master of Biomedical Science and a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from Kansas City University. She completed her surgical internship at Baystate Medical Center and is currently taking two years off from her surgical residency at the Valley Health System in Las Vegas to pursue her research fellowship.

Jessica K. Liu, MD

Dr. Liu will be spending two years with the American College of Surgeons as a Clinical Scholar in Residence working on various Continuous Quality Improvement projects in the areas of equity and inclusion, emergency general surgery, and colorectal surgery. One of her areas of focus will be on using hospital-level data and system-level interventions to understand and address complex healthcare gaps in delivery of equitable healthcare to surgical patients.

Dr. Liu grew up in Southern California and received her Bachelor of Science in Human Development from University of California, Davis. She went onto obtain her Medical Degree and Master of Public Health from the UT Health Long School of Medicine in San Antonio. She is currently taking time away from her general surgery residency at Harbor-UCLA in Torrance, CA and will simultaneously earn a Master of Science in Health Services and Outcomes Research from Northwestern University. She plans to apply the training from her tenure in Chicago to a future career as a colorectal surgeon and clinical investigator with the goal of improving quality and access of health services for all groups of individuals.

Anoosha Moturu, MD

Dr. Moturu’s passion for quality improvement and patient safety is rooted in her technical training and deep understanding of morality. Her background in human factors and ergonomics sparked her interest in system improvement methods, which naturally transitioned to quality improvement research during medical school. Her study of philosophy and ethics further fuels her dedication to quality improvement, as she sees healthcare as a moral act that must prioritize safety and equity.

Sarah Remer, MD

Dr. Remer’s research interests include surgical outcomes and quality improvement. Dr. Remer grew up in Michigan, then went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in biopsychology and neuroscience and her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University. She is currently taking time away from general surgery residency at Loyola University Medical Center to complete her research fellowship at the American College of Surgeons. During her time as a Clinical Scholar she will be working with the Geriatric Surgery Verification Program and will be earning a Master of Science in Health Services and Outcomes Research from Northwestern University. She plans to pursue a career in colorectal surgery once she finishes her training.