Date published: May 5, 2023
May Fellow Spotlight: Anila Medina, MD, MPH
Name: Anila Medina
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
In this month’s Fellow Spotlight, we feature Anila Zainab Medina, MD, MPH, a fellow in Geriatric Medicine, originally from Karachi, Pakistan. In late April, we caught up with Dr. Medina to learn more about her work, an incredible trip that she took to Iceland, and her favorite author.
What are your clinical interests?
I am interested in providing multidisciplinary, function-focused care to older adults, especially those with neurocognitive disorders. I hope to develop an Aging and Memory Center of Excellence at UMass, dedicated to the care of these patients. I have been actively involved with the dementia steering committee at UMass and have recently launched an interdisciplinary forum with providers in geriatrics, neurology, geriatric psychiatry, and neuropsychology to discuss complex patients and review topics related to neurocognitive disorders. My other major goal is to provide collaborative care to primary care physicians in the community for patients living with dementia and for frail older adults.
Why did you choose UMass for your fellowship?
I chose UMass for the fellowship, as the program was accommodating to my interests, and I was able to build on my prior experience as an internist in primary care. Dr. Erika Zimmons and Dr. Jerry Gurwitz were instrumental in providing me with this opportunity. Additionally, I was intrigued by the age-friendly health system and its use of the 4 Ms (i.e. mobility, mentation, medications, and What Matters most) for older adults in the outpatient clinic.
Where is your favorite place to travel for vacation and why?
My favorite vacation was a family trip to Iceland. It was a breathtaking experience. As we traveled through the geologically contrasting regions, we saw geysers, hot springs, and spectacular waterfalls, walked on black sand beaches, hiked glaciers, drove near the arctic circle, and went on white water rafting in frigid waters.
Who is your favorite author?
My favorite author is Yuval Noah Harari, who wrote “Sapiens A Brief History of Humankind" and "Homo Deus A Brief History of Tomorrow."