An ElevateMeD Panel Discussion

There are more medical students than residency positions, and the gap is growing as medical schools open up at rates that far outpace residency slots. Aspiring physicians are being set up for disappointment and this is deepening the physician shortage in underserved areas. We're hosting a virtual panel discussion to talk about it. Join us Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 9:00 AM PT on Zoom.

In pursuit of raising public awareness of inequities in healthcare, this panel discussion will be open to the public. Join the conversation, learn more and share with your network.

Dr. Casey
Martinez

Resident Physician at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

2024-25 ElevateMeD Scholar

Moderator

Casey Martinez, MD is a first year plastic surgery resident at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. She earned her medical degree from Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and graduated from Duke University with a degree in biology. Dr. Martinez is a 2024-25 ElevateMeD Scholar and continues to actively contribute to the ElevateMeD community. She is passionate about advancing the healthcare system as a Hispanic female physician and seeks to encourage others through mentorship and teaching.

Dr. Adam
Milam

Professor at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Panelist

Adam J. Milam, MD, PhD, FASE, FAHA is a Professor of Anesthesiology at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine with a joint appointment in Quantitative Health Sciences as well as an Associate Professor of Epidemiology. He is board-certified in both Anesthesiology and Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology. He serves as the chair of the Health Equity Subcommittee at Mayo Clinic Arizona. Dr. Milam is also a Professor of Practice at Arizona State University College of Health Solutions and Faculty Associate at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Prior to starting this position at Mayo Clinic, he completed his cardiothoracic anesthesiology fellowship at Cleveland Clinic and residency at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine. Prior to medical school, he attended Johns Hopkins University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health. He also holds a Master of Health Science as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health from the Department of Mental Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Dr. Heather
Burrows

Resident Program Director at University of Michigan

Panelist

Heather Burrows, M.D. Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Michigan where she practices General Pediatrics in the outpatient clinic and in the newborn nursery. She is the Resident Program Director and Associate Chair of Education. She previously served as the Continuity Clinic Director and has interests in physician wellbeing, patient education, and Quality Improvement. Nationally, Heather is a member of the APA Continuity clinic research network (CoRNet) Steering Committee and is the APPD Region V Vice Chair. She is also a faculty member in the APA Advancing Pediatric Educator eXcellence (APEX) teaching program. Heather was a 2022 recipient of the ACGME Parker J Palmer Courage to Teach award.

Dr. Lynn

Smitherman

Clerkship Director at Wayne State University

Panelist

Lynn Smitherman, MD, FAAP is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Wayne State University School of Medicine. She currently serves as the Departmental Vice Chair of Medical Education, the Departmental Vice Chair of Academic and Community Engagement as well as the Chair of the WSU Medicine/Pediatrics Institutional Review Board. Dr. Smitherman received her undergraduate degree from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and her medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She completed a combined residency program in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Wayne State University Affiliated Hospitals and a Chief Residency in Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. She has a strong interest in medical education having served as the Director of the Pediatric Residency Program at Children’s Hospital of Michigan and currently as the Director of the Pediatric Clerkship at WSUSOM.