Candidates

Chair
(two-year term, 2025-2027)

Vasudha Bhavaraju, MD
Designated Institutional Official
Phoenix Children’s Hospital

Vasudha Bhavaraju, MD, is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Child Health at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix and chief medical education officer at Phoenix Children’s. Dr. Bhavaraju — or Vasu, as her colleagues know her — is passionate about mentoring the next generation of physicians. It was a calling she discovered shortly after completing her residency in pediatrics at the very same hospital.

“I recognized early in training that I really liked medical education, but I had a very narrow view of what that meant beyond bedside teaching,” she said.

As she further explored the many facets of medical education, the opportunities it granted her to be a positive influence in the lives of young doctors began to emerge. It offered avenues to be innovative, collaborative, scholarly and to serve as a source of support.

The malleable nature of it fuels her professionally. And, in the field of medical education, Dr. Bhavaraju knows that being a lifelong learner is just as important as what is being taught to the residents, fellows and new faculty. “I am continuously asking, ‘Are we meeting the needs of our learners?’ Medicine changes, our environment changes, technology changes and our learners change, as well,” she explained.

Vice Chair of Program Coordinators and Elections
(two-year term, 2025-2027)

Lauren Goddi
Fellowship Coordinator
Divisions of Adolescent Medicine and Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics
Stanford University School of Medicine

Hello! I am very excited to be nominated for the position of Vice-Chair of Program Coordinators and Elections for the APPD Western Region and appreciate your consideration. For the past three years, I have served as the fellowship program coordinator for the divisions of Adolescent Medicine and Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics at Stanford University and have had prior experience in program and project management within community health and educational program settings. My prior experience has included the opportunity to represent the voice of colleagues at a national organizational level. Professionally, I greatly enjoy the purpose I have found in my role as a fellowship program coordinator and the important work I can contribute to in the field of graduate medical education. I am particularly enthusiastic about the ways in which I am able to contribute in shaping our training programs, year after year, to continually identify ways of enhancing our program offerings and the trainee experience. Outside of work, I am an avid outdoor walker and enjoy exploring local community and historic gardens, as well as learning to nurture my own green thumb with a growing collection of houseplants. I continue to discover the many surprising correlations in the talents required in both this endeavor and the education environment!

It has truly been a pleasure to become part of the incredible and supportive community of Pediatric program coordinators and leaders. I would be delighted to contribute back to this community as a representative of coordinator interests at the regional level, and hope to bring my skills in communication, organization, and interpersonal awareness to this position.

 

Vice Chair of Communications
(two-year term, 2025-2027)

Janice Tsai, MD
Pediatric Hospitalist, Assistant Professor
Program Director, Pediatric Residency Program
Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital

I am currently the categorical pediatrics program director at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital since October 2021, where I oversee 83 pediatric residents, and clinically work as a pediatric hospitalist. As the youngest member of our leadership team, I have continued to greatly benefit from the expertise of the members of the APPD Western Region, learning from the wisdom and experience of others with great discussion and exchange of ideas that have helped us to bring exciting changes to our program! Prior to my time as PD, I served as associate program director, a pediatric chief resident, and have prior experience throughout high school in Chicago, my undergraduate time at the University of Wisconsin- Madison, as well as my medical school training at New York Medical College in managing website content for multiple organizations that I had been involved in. I am currently the Vice Chair of Communications and would love the opportunity to run for re-election. During my time in this role, we have optimized our utilization of the listserv, revamped and continually updated our Western Region website including highlighting each of your programs on our homepage, incorporated graphic design software, and adjusted our communication based off feedback from survey results filled out by our Western Region members (thus, during these 2 years we have had 200% increase in internet traffic/IP addresses to the website, and have increased views/time on the website by 275%). I would be honored to be given the chance to continue helping connect colleagues and share ideas within our region, to keep our region well-informed on current/upcoming events or of changes that may affect our programs, to collaborate and engage with other programs, and further refine our communication strategies within the region. Thank you so much for your consideration!

 

Vice Chair of Meetings
(two-year term, 2025-2027)

Savarra M. Mantzor, MD, PhD
Pediatrics Residency of Idaho, Associate Program Director
Full Circle Health

I have immensely enjoyed being part of the Western Region APPD Board. I have learned so much and hope to be able to continue to contribute to the board and our region. I particularly have enjoyed planning the conferences – there are still many areas that we as a board can grow in this area to ensure more efficient and smooth organization of these meetings and I’d like to help to develop strategies and templates that can be used moving forward for ongoing sustainability after my time on the board concludes. I think these meetings can continue to champion learning and collaboration between programs in our region and I’d like to see more programs participate; this is one of many of my aspirational goals of being Vice Chair of Meetings for a second term. Happy to discuss further. Thank you for this opportunity and your consideration!

 

Barbara Gohre, BSHA, CHPM, CLSSBB 
Manager, Accreditation for GME
Phoenix Children’s Hospital

I am writing to express my sincere interest in serving as the Vice-Chair of Meetings on the WAPPD Board. Over the past term, I have had the privilege of representing the interests of our Regional Program Coordinators as the Vice Chair of Program Coordinators and Elections and contributing to the professional development of our community.

In my current role, I have successfully identified and facilitated numerous professional development opportunities that have empowered our program coordinators to excel in their roles. By collaborating closely with the Regional Chair, I have ensured that our election-related tasks are executed smoothly and in accordance with up-to-date guidelines. This coordination has been crucial in maintaining the integrity and transparency of our election proceedings.

I am excited about the opportunity to continue working with the WAPPD Board and to build upon the progress we have made. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of continuing to serve our community in this important role.

 

Vice Chair of Research & Scholarship
(two-year term, 2025-2027)

Lisa Labor, MD
Pediatrician
Full Circle Health

I have practiced as a pediatrician for over a decade, but just recently started my GME adventure! I have been inspired by the work of the APPD, both through their online resources and by connecting with members at regional and national conferences. I am eager to collaborate more closely regional board members to not only enhance my own skills as a pediatric educator but also to share resources and knowledge that can empower others. My goal is to help ensure that all pediatric educators feel well-equipped and supported to train the next generation of pediatricians.