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Shankar and Graefe recognized for Exceptional Moments in Teaching

Lakshmi Shankar, MD, faculty member, and Brad Graefe, MD, resident, were recognized through the “Exceptional Moments in Teaching” program for the month of February.

Dr. Shankar is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at Penn State College of Medicine.

“Dr. Shankar always goes out of her way to make sure us students understand what is going on. She spent countless hours of her own time preparing, tutoring, and answering questions. She never failed to show up to a class or review session, and was willing to drop everything to come help her students,” one student said. “She would explain things over and over even if she’d been asked a question already to ensure we understood. She never made us feel stupid, annoying or incapable. Thank you, Dr. Shankar, and may there be many more like you – medicine as a whole would be better for it!”

Dr. Shankar is a mother, doctor, teacher and an aspiring painter. She trained as a stroke neurologist at Toledo and Cleveland. She serves as the co-director for the Neural and Behavioral Sciences course, and she is passionate about medical education and environmentalism.

The resident awardee, Dr. Graefe, is a fourth-year orthopaedic surgery resident in the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation.

“Brad is one of the most outstanding residents I have ever worked with. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from him throughout my orthopaedic surgery rotation,” said a student. “I took multiple overnight call shifts with him. He took extra time and effort to thoroughly explain his thought process during every consult even if it was 4 a.m. He always gave me opportunities to help out during procedures and made sure I was included in the team. Residents like him are one of the reasons why Penn State has such a strong orthopaedic surgery program. I really enjoyed working with him during my rotation, and I aspire to be the kind of resident he is.”

A native of Street, Maryland, Dr. Graefe was drawn to orthopaedics for its technical complexity and the opportunity to make an immediate, meaningful difference in patients’ lives by restoring function and quality of life. He plans to pursue a shoulder and elbow fellowship with aspirations of an academic career, where he aims to provide exceptional patient care while educating the next generation of surgeons and educators.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Graefe enjoys spending time with his wife and golden retriever, staying active through running, hiking, tennis and pickleball, and competing with the “Volatile Agents” in the hospital softball league.

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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