Thompson and Sallam recognized for Exceptional Moments in Teaching
Andrew Thompson, MD, faculty member, and Eman Sallam, MD, resident, were recognized through the “Exceptional Moments in Teaching” program for the month of March.
Dr. Thompson is an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine.
“Dr. Thompson is a wonderful educator. He provides helpful and constructive feedback, gives great tips for history and physical exam skills, and allows students to take on as much clinical responsibility as they feel comfortable with,” one student said. “He is respectful and kind during small-group teaching sessions, as well as in clinic on FLEX days. He goes above and beyond to ensure students are succeeding academically and doing well personally. He has been instrumental in my medical school education and shaping my clinical skills. Any student that gets to learn from him is extremely lucky.”
Dr. Thompson is a board-certified family medicine physician. He graduated from Penn State College of Medicine in 2015 and returned in 2019 as a faculty member after completing a four-year family medicine residency with a behavioral health emphasis in Connecticut. In his ambulatory clinic, he provides prenatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric chronic and acute care.
He is directly involved in medical student education, teaching clinical and communication skills in the pre-clinical years, and serves as a site director in the family medicine third-year clerkship. His professional work interests include population health and data metrics to enhance clinic performance within Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and organizational goals.
Dr. Sallam, the resident awardee, is a third-year pathology resident in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.
“Dr. Sallam has been an amazing teacher and mentor! She has been very understanding of my knowledge level as a medical student and taken extra time out of many days to explain things in a way that makes sense for my level and has been truly educational,” a student said. “She has also asked questions and given me opportunities to look up and present patient histories as well, which has been beneficial to my training. I have learned so much from her, both about pathology and about how to be an outstanding resident, and I look forward to applying what I have learned from working with her.”
Dr. Sallam hails from Egypt, where she pursued her medical education at Tanta University. Her passion lies in the diagnostic aspects of medicine and understanding the pathophysiology of illnesses. Her professional interests gravitate toward hematopathology, where she focuses on various blood disorders such as leukemias and lymphomas.
Beyond the hospital walls, she cherishes quality time with her family, relishes travel adventures, explores new places and enjoys friendly card games. Dr. Sallam’s journey combines scientific curiosity with a zest for life beyond her medical pursuits.
Penn State College of Medicine’s Office for a Respectful Learning Environment recognizes exceptional faculty, residents and fellows with the monthly “Exceptional Moments in Teaching” program. One faculty member and one resident/fellow are highlighted each month for their contributions. College of Medicine students are invited to submit narratives about faculty members, residents, nurses or any other educators who challenge them and provide an exceptional learning experience using the online nomination form.
The Office for a Respectful Learning Environment fosters an educational community at Penn State College of Medicine in which all learners and educators feel supported, challenged, valued and respected. It serves all learners at the College of Medicine: medical students, graduate students, physician assistant students, residents and fellows.
See previous faculty and resident/fellow honorees here.
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