Many students in Dell Medical School’s Class of 2029 receive scholarship support generously contributed by:
Henry Renfert, Jr., M.D., Endowed Excellence Fund for Dell Medical School
Thos. H. Law and Jo Ann Law Endowed Medical Scholarship
George W. Brackenridge Scholarship Fund
Pete Winstead Endowment for Student Scholars
“Winning is moving toward your dreams while staying true to yourself."
Michael and Susan Dell, 2025
Each incoming Dell Medical School student is gifted their white coat by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. Every coat is embroidered with a message to the class from the Dells, offering inspiration and a reminder of their guiding purpose over the coming four years.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Welcome
George A. Macones, M.D., MSCE
Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Sherine E. Salib, M.D., FACP
Keynote Address
Steven Taylor, M.D.
White Coat Ceremony
Travis W. Crook, M.D.
Hippocratic Oath
James R. Korndorffer, Jr., M.D.
Closing Remarks
George A. Macones, M.D., MSCE
ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE VICE DEAN
George A. Macones, M.D., MSCE
Executive Vice Dean, Dell Medical School
Chair and Professor, Department of Women’s Health
Since joining Dell Med in 2019, George A. Macones, M.D., MSCE, has strengthened the school’s partnerships with Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas through the launch of the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center and overseen the continued growth and success of Dell Med’s clinical, research and training efforts dedicated to improving the health of women in Central Texas.
Macones is the president of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He has authored over 400 publications and is internationally renowned for his research on the safety of vaginal birth after Cesarean section and for developing new guidelines on monitoring fetuses during labor.
A native of Philadelphia, Macones earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College and completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Pennsylvania Hospital. He completed a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital before earning a master’s degree in clinical epidemiology from the University of Pennsylvania.
After 10 years on the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania, Macones moved to Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis to become chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, where he served for 14 years.
KEYNOTE INTRODUCTION
Sherine E. Salib, M.D., FACP
Associate Chair of Faculty Academic Affairs and Faculty Development, Department of Internal Medicine
Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Director of Undergraduate Medical Education, Department of Internal Medicine
Distinguished Teaching Professor, UT System
Sherine E. Salib, M.D., FACP, works in both inpatient and outpatient settings, where she teaches residents and medical students. She graduated in 1993 from the University of Bristol Medical School, went on to become a member of the Royal College of Physicians of London in 1996 and played a central role in building the curricula and school policies for Dell Medical School. She serves as chair of the Dell Med Undergraduate Medical Education Curriculum Committee.
Salib’s peer-reviewed publications include articles describing innovative educational endeavors, workshops and curricula, including being a featured expert for a NEJM Group Open Forum and a featured content expert in the American College of Physicians’ IMPower project — ACP’s national resident communication and resources initiative. Additionally, she has served as an invited speaker at a national level, including presentations and workshops at Yale and the University of Pennsylvania.
Salib has received many educational awards, including induction into the Dell Med Academy of Distinguished Educators, the Shine Academy of Distinguished Educators, and the national Gold Humanism Honor Society. She received the 2022 Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award. She is the recipient of the inaugural Internal Medicine Outstanding Educator of the Year Award and the UTMB “Top Doc” award, among others.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Steven Taylor, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine 2025 Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award Recipient
Steven Taylor, M.D., received his medical degree from the University of Florida, where he was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. He went on to complete internal medicine residency training at the University of Virginia, where he served as chief medical resident, followed by fellowship training in endocrinology and metabolism at the University of California, San Francisco.
At Dell Medical School, Taylor serves as director for the Mechanisms of Disease course, chair of the scientific foundations subcommittee, and director of the Susan M. Cox, M.D., Academy of Distinguished Educators. He maintains an active clinical endocrinology practice, seeing patients in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. He is a clinical preceptor for medical residents and medical students, he serves as sponsor for the Dell Med chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, and he is a DOCS course faculty lead.
WHITE COAT CEREMONY
Travis W. Crook, M.D.
Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Department of Medical Education
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Travis W. Crook, M.D., serves as the associate dean of student affairs at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin. In this role, he leads the team responsible for all aspects of the student experience at Dell Med, including admissions, orientation, academic and career advising, progression through medical school, student well-being and professional development, residency match, and graduation.
A native Texan, Crook received bachelor’s degrees in biological sciences and psychology from Clemson University in South Carolina before returning to his home state for his medical education and training. He received his M.D. from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and stayed in Houston to complete his residency training in pediatrics at Texas Children’s Hospital. Clinically, Crook is a board-certified pediatric hospitalist and focuses his care on the patient experience, evidence-based medicine and clinical reasoning.
Crook came to Dell Med in the spring of 2024 from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Throughout his decade-plus career in medical education, he has always endeavored to keep the student experience at the forefront of medical education. During his time at Vanderbilt, Crook received numerous teaching honors and worked tirelessly to better the students’ curricular journey.
HIPPOCRATIC OATH LEADER
James R. Korndorffer, Jr., M.D.
Vice Dean of Education, Dell Medical School
Interim Chair, Department of Medical Education Professor, Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care
James R. Korndorffer Jr., M.D., MHPE, FACS, leads Dell Medical School’s continuum of medical education to train the next generation of physicians and health care professionals. In addition, he leads efforts across The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Texas System to support interprofessional education, curricular innovation, research and other learning activities.
Korndorffer graduated cum laude from Tulane University with an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering. He received his medical degree from the University of South Florida College of Medicine. He completed his general surgery internship and residency at the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he received the award for best resident teacher.
Korndorffer’s clinical interests include minimally invasive surgery for gastrointestinal disorders and hernias. His research interests include medical education, medical simulation, patient safety and patient care quality. He was one of the early adopters of using simulation for surgical training and has been actively involved in surgical education research since 2003. He is currently involved in investigating the role simulation education has in patient quality and health care system safety.
DELL MEDICAL SCHOOL HIPPOCRATIC OATH
I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this pledge:
I will respect the autonomy, dignity and privacy of my patients.
I will practice my profession with conscience and in accordance with best medical practice.
I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy and understanding may outweigh the benefits of surgery and medications.
I will not permit bias, prejudice or other societal constraints to impact my responsibility to my patient, and I will be vigilant in addressing health inequities.
I will avoid the traps of overtreatment and advocate for those without access. I will always put patients and their families ahead of personal economic gain.
I will prevent disease and promote health. I will advance health in my community beyond the walls of the clinic and hospital.
I will collaborate with all members of the health care team to provide comprehensive care to my patients and the community.
I will recognize the limits of my knowledge and skill and seek the help of others when needed.
I will work to improve the quality and safety of the health system through innovation, collaborative leadership and teamwork.
I will attend to my own health, well-being and abilities in order to provide care of the highest standard.
If I do not violate this oath, I will live honored knowing that I have returned to society the great investment and trust it has placed in me.
Written in 1964 by Louis Lasagna (edited by the inaugural class of Dell Medical School)
DOCS FACULTY
Swati Avashia, M.D., FAAP, FACP
Associate Professor, Department of Population Health
Courtesy Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Courtesy Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Assistant Program Director, Family Medicine Residency Program
John Bedolla, M.D., FACEP
Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Education
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care
Gretchen Fuller, M.D., FACEP
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Courtesy Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care
Alexandria Haselhorst, D.O.
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology
C. Menaka Jayasundera, M.D., FACP
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Mrinalini Kulkarni-Date, M.D.
Chief of Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Thomas Lasater, D.O., M.S.
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Alefiyah Malbari, M.D., FAAP
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Courtesy Associate Professor, Department of Medical Education
Chief, Division of Ambulatory Pediatrics
James Marroquin, M.D., FACP
Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Education
Courtesy Assistant Professor, Department of Population Health
Lysbeth W. Miller, M.D., MACP
Co-Associate Chair for Education, Department of Internal Medicine
Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
DOCS FACULTY
Maria C. Monge, M.D., FACP
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Courtesy Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Courtesy Associate Professor, Department of Medical Education
Alejandro Moreno, MBBS, MPH, J.D., MACP
Assistant Dean of Clinical Integration, Department of Medical Education
Director, Developing Outstanding Clinical Skills (DOCS) Longitudinal Course Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Kumar Pandian, M.D., FAAP, FACP
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Scott Selinger, M.D., FACP
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Courtesy Assistant Professor, Department of Population Health
Steven Taylor, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Brooke Wagen, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Education
Developing Outstanding Clinical Skills (DOCS): The Developing Outstanding Clinical Skills integrated curriculum is where students learn the art of doctoring. Dell Med students learn diagnostic and clinical skills in tight-knit teams of five students partnered with one faculty lead. This deep time spent learning from an experienced practitioner equips students to become compassionate and effective physicians in the community.
