Programs

Careers in Medicine – A Speaker Series: 10/21-10/25

• Grades9-Adult
• DatesOctober 21-25
• PriceNo Cost

Our speakers represent a wide range of specializations and career paths in the growing Healthcare industry of DFW. Parish parents, alum, and friends will lead conversations with participants about their educational journeys, how they determine their career path, and what a “day in the life of” looks like for them. With lots of opportunities for questions and discussions, students will leave more informed as they begin to develop their own future career plans.

The series will take place from Monday, October 21 – Friday, October 25.

October 21 – 25, 2024

Monday, October 21

10:00 AM: Ariel Modrykamien, M.D. – Internal Medicine, Critical Care

• M.D. from Universidad Favaloro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Residencies at Hospital Fernandez, St, Luke’s Hospital Center (Internal Medicine), Cleveland Clinic (Pulmonary/Critical Care)
• Clinical Professor of Medicine for Texas A&M Health Science Center

Dr. Ariel M. Modrykamien is a pulmonologist in Dallas with several years of experience as an intensive care physician and organizational leader within the fields of critical care medicine and respiratory care. Over the last 20 years, Dr. Modrykamien has conducted trials, published his research, educated future doctors at Creighton University and Texas A&M Health Science Center, and continued his own education through programs in leadership, business, and management. Since 2018, Dr. Modrykamien has served the DFW community as the Chief of the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Baylor University Medical Center.

11:00 AM: Bruce Wall, M.D. – Nephrology

• M.D., Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
• Internship/Residency – Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX
• Fellowship – Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX

Dr. Bruce Wall, MD is a nephrologist in Dallas, TX and has over 43 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Wall has extensive experience in Glomerulonephritis & Nephropathy. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Medical City McKinney and Dallas Regional Medical Center. He received his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Bruce Wall has expertise in treating kidney disease, chronic kidney disease, among other conditions. He is also the father of Katie Wall, current Parish English teacher and Parish Alum, class of 2018.

12:00 PM: Stacy McDonald, Ph.D. – Forensic Science

• Deputy Chief of Physical Evidence at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Science
• Clinical Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern 
• B.S. degree in Zoology from Texas A&M. 
• Ph.D. in Genetics from Texas A&M. 

Dr. McDonald is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at UT Southwestern and the Deputy Chief of Physical Evidence at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences. After completing her graduate studies, she pursued a postdoctoral fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in the Department of Pathology, where she engaged in research on the molecular characterization of well-known human fragile sites. In 2002, Dr. McDonald was sponsored as a visiting scientist in the Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Her research there focused on developing new technologies for human identification. Currently, as the Deputy Chief of Physical Evidence, Dr. McDonald oversees the Firearms and Toolmarks, Trace Evidence, and Forensic Biology Laboratories. She continues to conduct independent DNA analysis and serves as the autosomal STR DNA Technical Leader for the Institute. Additionally, she is a subject matter expert for the Dallas.

1:00 PM: Ritu Rao, D.D.S. – Dentistry

Dr. Ritu Rao is a general and family dentist currently working in private practice. Dr. Rao received her dental degree from Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. Her experience spans two decades, including owning her own practice, teaching at the dental school, and volunteering at several charitable organizations. She aims to provide excellent dental care with a focus on helping patients not only maintain great oral health but also to restore their confidence and smile. Dr. Rao is also the author of two books, hobby explorer, and occasional globe-trotter.

2:00 PM: Shrina Bana, Pharm.D. – Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

• Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Employee Health Center, Parkland Health Education
• Pharm.D., The University of Texas at Austin

Dr. Bana is a Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist currently working at the Employee Health Center at Parkland Health. Dr. Bana completed her PharmD degree at The University of Texas at Austin and two years of post-graduate training residency at Parkland Health. As an Ambulatory Care Pharmacist, Dr. Bana works with the physicians at Employee Health Center under a collaborative practice agreement to help manage patient’s chronic disease states including diabetes, hypertension, smoking cessation, and anticoagulation. Dr. Bana’s goal regarding patient care is to educate and empower the patient to take part in their own well-being. This comes from LISTENING to the patient first and foremost.

3:00 PM: Jason Werner, B.S. – President & CEO, Biopharmaceuticals

Mr. Werner served as the Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of SightStream Biotherapeutics Inc, a biotechnology company focused on developing regenerative medicines in ophthalmics. Mr. Werner also currently serves on the board of directors of InflammX Therapeutics Inc, a privately held developer of novel treatments of the Inflammasome (NLRP3) Pathway based in San Diego, California.  Mr. Werner previously co-founded and served as Chief Operating Officer of Eyevance Pharmaceuticals through its sale to Santen Pharmaceuticals Ltd. He has held a variety of commercial development roles and corporate strategy positions at companies such as Sun Pharma, Nicox SA and Inspire Pharmaceuticals, all within the field of ophthalmics. Mr. Werner received his B.S. in business administration from the University of New Hampshire.

TUESDAY, October 22

7:45 – 8:45 AM: Sadi Raza, M.D., F.A.C.C. and Dr. Sam Raza, M.D. F.A.C.C., F.A.C.P, F.A.S.E – Cardiologists

Dr. Sadi Raza is a Harvard trained clinical cardiologist with expertise in advanced cardiac imaging and prevention. A past chair of the division of cardiology at Medical City Dallas, he is currently the director of cardiac imaging of the largest independent group in the nation. His clinical practice focuses on the prevention, management and treatment of acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions.

Dr. Sam Raza is a Clinical Cardiologist with expertise in advanced cardiac imaging which includes advanced echocardiography (specialized ultrasound scan of the heart) and cardiac CT. Originally from London, England, she earned her medical degree from the esteemed Imperial College School of Medicine in London where she graduated with Distinction and Honors in Medicine, Clinical Sciences and Surgery. She has been named Best Doctor by D magazine for several years. Her focus is on heart disease prevention and women’s heart health and she has a busy private practice in Dallas. She has served on multiple boards and has served on national and international committees in her role as a Cardiologist.

12:20 – 1:10 PM Jesse Hernandez, M.D. – Emergency Medicine

• Emergency Medicine Physician, Methodist Charlton Medical Center and Baylor Irving
• M.D. and Residency at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
• B.A. from University of Notre Dame
• Parish Episcopal School, 2007

Dr. Jesse Hernandez is a board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician who partners with multiple hospitals in the DFW area, including Methodist Charlton Medical Center and Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Stephenville. Dr. Hernandez has published studies on adjuvant therapy for cardiorespiratory fitness in breast cancer patients and on the development of a new approach for assessing Emergency Department patients.

WEDNESDAY, October 23

7:45 – 8:45 AM: Hemant Vankawala, M.D., FACEP, FAEMS – Executive Physician at Hamilton Health Box

• B.A. in Biology from Trinity University, M.S. in Biology from University of North Texas, M.D. from University of Texas Health Science Center
• Residency training in emergency medicine with Texas Tech at Thomason Hospital in El Paso, TX
• Executive Director of Healthcare Innovators Professional Society (HIPS) and Hamilton Health Hub

Dr. Hemant Vankawala is a physician who is board-certified Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services.  He is a founding partner of Emerus, a health care start up who pioneered micro-hospitals to improve quality and access to medical care in smaller towns across America. Dr. Vankawala has worked in a variety of clinical settings from one bed emergency rooms to large urban level 1 trauma centers and currently works as an ER doc at the Dallas Veteran’s Hospital. For the past 20 years he has served as the EMS Medical director of Big Bend National Park and Terlingua Fire & EMS.  Dr. Vankawala serves on a number of non-profit boards including serving as Chair of the Audit Committee of our local PBS affiliate KERA.  Hemant is the proud father of Nidhi, a Parish rising 11th grader.

THURSDAY, October 24

7:45 – 8:45 AM: Jennifer Morrison, Ph.D./HSP, L.S.S.P, L.S.S.P

• Licensed Psychologist and Health Service Provider
• Licensed Specialist in School Psychology
• Owner, Kids BRAIN
• B.S. in Psychology from Texas Woman’s University, Ph.D. in School Psychology with a specialty in pediatric neuropsychology from Texas Woman’s University
• Internship training through Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL.

Dr. Jennifer Morrison is a Licensed Psychologist and is the owner and lead provider of pediatric neuropsychological services in her practice Kids BRAIN. Through her training and professional experiences, Dr. Morrison has worked in a variety of educational and clinical settings, including public school districts, charter schools, private schools, children’s hospitals, hospital outpatient clinics, integrated mental health settings, and private practice. She thinks of herself as a brain detective and spends her days working with kids and families to better understand their specific child’s brain (strengths, struggles, and needs). This allows her to team with children of all ages to help them, their families, and their teachers better understand their natural talents and assets and to work around and through personal areas of challenge so they can achieve their goals and thrive while doing things they love.

1:20 – 1:10 PM: Muhammad Saeed, Foreign Medical Graduate

• CEO and Clinical Research Director for PRX Research
• Physician (FMG) with a specialization in regulatory science (food and drug law)
• M.S. in Regulatory Science, Johns Hopkins University.

Muhammad is currently CEO and Clinical Research Director at PRX Research, an organization dedicated to Medical Investigational Drug and Device Development, based at Dallas Regional Medical Center. They specialize in conducting clinical research focused on various diseases affecting patients. Over the course of his career, he has successfully overseen more than 100 clinical research projects and has contributed to multiple publications. With over 15 years in the healthcare industry, both as a researcher and an executive.

FRIDAY, October 25

7:45 – 8:45 AM: Peter Kurniali, MD, FACP—Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences

• Board-certified physician in internal medicine, hematology, and oncology
• Medical School at Universitas Trisakti Faculty of Medicine, Jakarta, Indonesia
• Residency in Internal Medicine at Boston University of Medicine at Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, RI
• Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at Michigan State University

Triple board-certified in internal medicine, hematology, and oncology, Dr. Peter Kurniali is a physician specializing in the treatment of blood cancers, blood and bleeding disorders, and solid tumors. He completed his medical education at Universitas Trisakti Faculty of Medicine in Jakarta, Indonesia, followed by a residency in Internal Medicine at Boston University’s Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, RI, and a Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at Michigan State University. Dr. Kurniali serves as a Hematology Oncology physician at Sanford Cancer Center in Bismarck, ND, where he also leads as the principal investigator for clinical research at Sanford Health Bismarck. In addition to his numerous publications, Dr. Kurniali has been an advisor for the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduate (ECFMG) Acculturation program for many years and actively participates in several boards and committees within Sanford Health Bismarck. Dr. Kurniali is passionate about teaching medical students and residents, as well as advancing medical knowledge through dedicated research. Outside of his professional commitments, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, cycling, and playing musical instruments such as the guitar and keyboard.