Over the coming weeks, the Department of Internal Medicine will introduce faculty members who joined us in 2020 (start dates in parentheses). We are pleased to welcome them to the department.
Elizabeth Batchelor, MD – Associate (7-31-20)
Dr. Elizabeth Batchelor received her MD at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Florida, and her Internal Medicine Residency at UTSW in Dallas, Texas. After completing her fellowship here at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine in 2020, during which time she also obtained an MME from the Carver College of Medicine, she has stayed on as an Associate in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Occupational Medicine. Her current clinical and research interests focus on medical education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, COPD, and the overlap of palliative care and chronic lung disease. In her spare time, Dr. Batchelor likes to dabble in the cult of Peloton, decompress watching stand-up comedy, try desperately to find more time to read, and maintain a healthy sense of humility attempting to herd 4 cats with her partner at home.
Elissa Faro, PhD – Research Assistant Professor (7-1-20)
Dr. Elissa Faro has joined the Division of General Internal Medicine as a Research Assistant Professor from her position as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Associate Director of Pediatric Quality at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in Bronx, New York. Dr. Faro received her PhD in Classical Art and Archaeology and an MA in Anthropology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Dr. Faro’s research focuses on mixed methods implementation science approaches to reducing health disparities in underserved populations, including maternal health, children, and LGBTQ+ individuals. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her Newfoundland, Lola, and blow glass.
Leon Jons, MD – Clinical Associate Professor (6-30-20)
Dr. Leon Jons joins the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism as a Clinical Associate Professor. Dr. Jons earned his MD degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Lincoln, followed by a Family Medicine Residency there. He practiced family medicine in rural Nebraska. He was board certified in obesity medicine in 2012 and has almost 20 years of working in the field of obesity. Prior to coming to Iowa he worked at NYU developing an obesity clinic in an underserved population in Brooklyn, New York. His interests in obesity include circadian biology, long-term weight loss maintenance, post-bariatric surgery weight regain, and primary care provider obesity education. He enjoys music, family, and being outdoors.
Meenakshi Sambharia, MBBS – Associate (7-1-20)
Dr. Meenakshi Sambharia joins the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension as an Associate after completing her Nephrology fellowship at the University of Iowa. She received her MBBS from Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), Delhi University in New Delhi, India, followed by an Internal Medicine Residency at the Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where she was also Chief Resident. Dr. Sambharia’s clinical and research interests focus on renal genetics, transplant, and hypertension. When not working, she enjoys being in nature, hiking, yoga, and watching documentaries.
Hanna Zembrzuska, MD – Clinical Assistant Professor (7-1-20)
Dr. Hanna Zembrzuska has recently joined the Division of Immunology as a Clinical Assistant Professor after completing her Rheumatology fellowship here. She holds a secondary appointment in the Department of Psychiatry and serves as co-course director for Mechanisms of Health and Disease 4 (MOHD 4). Dr. Zembrzuska earned her MD from Rush Medical College in Chicago, Illinois, followed by a Master’s in Medical Education from Carver College of Medicine. Prior to her fellowship, Dr. Zembrzuska served as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry here at the Carver College of Medicine. Dr. Zembrzuska’s clinical and research interests include integrating mental health care into rheumatology practice by prioritizing the psychological, social, behavioral, and psychiatric aspects of rheumatology patients. In her spare time, she loves glamping in her travel trailer with her husband, toddler, and their two dogs.