Announcing the CEDAR Community Blog Inaugural Editorial Review Board
We are pleased to announce the inaugural members of our Saint Louis University School of Medicine Center for Educator Development, Advancement, and Research (CEDAR) community blog editorial review board!
Their service on the CEDAR community blog editorial review board will support our goal to foster ongoing connectedness and showcase the expertise of our medical and biomedical educator community.
Inaugural Editorial Review Board Members
Kristina Dzara (Editor-in-Chief)
Kristina Dzara, Ph.D. (Editor-in-Chief) is associate professor of family and community medicine, assistant dean for scholarly teaching and learning, and director of the Center for Educator Development, Advancement, and Research at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Kristina’s areas of professional interest include educator development, curriculum development, and educational scholarship. Kristina can be found on or or contacted via email.
Dana Alshekhlee
Dana Alshekhlee is a medical student (Class of 2026) at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Dana's areas of professional interest include quality improvement, health disparities, and medical humanities. Dana can be found on or contacted via email.
Jamie Bolar
Jamie Bolar is a learning specialist at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Science in Education. Jamie’s areas of professional interest include equity in higher education, supporting struggling learners, and program evaluation. Jamie can be contacted via email.
Fred R. Buckhold III
Fred R. Buckhold III, M.D. is professor of internal medicine and program director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at SSM Health and the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Fred's areas of professional interest include the redesign of resident experiences, and resident assessment and outcomes. Fred can be found on or or contacted via email.
Tara Ernst
Tara Ernst, Ph.D., serves as our external reviewer. She is the senior specialist for learning and career counseling at the John Sealy School of Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Tara’s areas of professional interest include curriculum development, professional development, and qualitative research methods. Tara can be found on or contacted via email.
Aidan Ruth
Aidan Ruth, Ph.D. is assistant professor in the Center for Anatomical Science and Education at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Aidan's areas of professional interest include humanism in anatomy education, pre-professional anatomy outreach, and metacognitive training. Aidan can be found on or contacted via email.
Keniesha Thompson
Keniesha Thompson, M.D. is associate professor of internal medicine and assistant dean of student affairs at SSM Health and the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Keniesha’s areas of professional interest include quality improvement, career discernment, and the support of learners from disadvantaged backgrounds. Keniesha can be found on or contacted via email.
Kirti Veeramachaneni
Kirti Veeramachaneni is a medical student (Class of 2026) at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Kirti’s areas of professional interest include assessment and evaluation of clinical trainees, interprofessional education, and medical humanities . Kirti can be found on or contacted via email.
Our peer-reviewed CEDAR community blog launched in January 2024 and features monthly evidence-based posts championing scholarly teaching and learning practices, authored by Saint Louis University School of Medicine faculty, staff, and trainees. Those interested in contributing to our CEDAR community blog should contact Editor-in-Chief Kristina Dzara, Ph.D. via email.