Johnny McGraw
Marketing & Communications Specialist, RISE (Research. Innovation. Scholarship. Education.)
Johnny manages RISE's communications strategy, including storytelling, social media, and website content. He also serves in this role for the Center for Interprofessional Education. McGraw joined the RISE team in 2024 after previously working for WKAR Public Media at Michigan State University, where he partnered with PBS and NPR to advance educational outreach and community-focused projects. He also led communications for MSU’s Department of Communication and served as the curator of TEDxMSU. Johnny holds an M.A. in Communication from Michigan State University.
Department News
Helping Hands: Ibtissam Gad Is Rethinking How Clinicians Learn to Feel Disease
For most physicians, learning to recognize swollen joints begins in the classroom. Students study anatomy, learn examination techniques, observe experienced clinicians, and gradually gain experience examining patients during medical school and residency.
For Ibtissam Gad, MD, a clinical assistant professor in Michigan Medicine's Division of Rheumatology, one limitation stood out. Learners often had relatively few opportunities to practice distinguishing subtle swelling by touch, and asking patients whose joints were already painful to undergo repeated examinations wasn't ideal for anyone involved.
Department News
Inaugural RISE Prize Recognizes Innovation in Health Sciences Education
Recognition has become an increasingly important part of how Michigan Medicine RISE (Research. Innovation. Scholarship. Education.) approaches educational innovation. Across the health professions education community, innovators are developing new approaches to teaching, learning, and patient care in real time. The newly established RISE Prize for Education Innovation was created to recognize that work publicly and provide ongoing support for awardees to continue to develop the innovation. The award highlights projects that demonstrate creativity in practice, measurable impact, and strong potential to shape the future of health science education.
Points of Blue
Making Learning Click: Dr. Virginia Sheffield’s Approach to Medical Education
Dr. Virginia Sheffield is a clinician educator whose impact spans bedside teaching, residency training, and educational innovation. Whether leading residents, teaching on the wards, or caring for patients at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Sheffield is known for creating rigorous and engaging learning environments. Learners consistently describe her as a transformative educator who turns everyday clinical encounters into meaningful teaching opportunities.
Department News
Facing Your Own Fears First: Training Clinicians to Deliver the Anxiety Treatment They've Been Avoiding
As a participant in Cohort 5 of the RISE Innovator Development Program, Emily Bilek developed and piloted an experiential training curriculum. The goal of the curriculum is to build clinician confidence and competence in delivering exposure therapy to youth with anxiety and OCD. The approach is as intuitive as it is novel: to truly understand exposure therapy, clinicians experience it themselves.
Department News
How Collaboration Is Redefining the Future of Health Professions Education
On April 13, a vibrant community of learners, educators, and practitioners from across Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Flint, and Michigan Medicine came together at the Michigan League for Health Professions Education (HPE) Connect ’26, continuing a long-standing effort at the University of Michigan to elevate health professions education across campuses and disciplines.
Points of Blue
The Importance of Asking "What If?" in Medical Education
Alison Affinati, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, is this month's Featured Educator. Learn more about her favorite education practices and some of the lessons she has learned over the years.
Health Lab
From simulation to practice for doctors
A doctor discusses how simulation practice is helping to sharpen skills of pediatric anesthesia specialists.
Points of Blue
Michael J. Brenner, MD, FACS: Advancing Interprofessional Approaches to Medical Education
Michael J. Brenner, MD, FACS, is an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the Medical School. His interest in medical education comes from a desire to apply rigor and evidence-informed strategies to real-world patient care. In this spotlight, he discusses his approach to teaching, his goals for the future of health professions education, and the experiences that continue to shape his work.
Points of Blue
Dr. Rick Mortensen on Leading in the Classroom and the Lab
Dr. Rick Mortensen has shaped generations of Michigan medical students through decades of steady leadership in endocrine education. In this month’s Featured Educator spotlight, he reflects on how a junior faculty teaching role at Brigham and Women’s Hospital sparked a lifelong commitment to medical education, and why engaged students continue to energize his work today.
Department News
Revolutionizing Child Neurology Residency Training: A Data-Driven Approach to Personalized Education
In an era where precision and adaptability are key to healthcare, Dr. Rachel Gottlieb-Smith, child neurology residency program director at the University of Michigan, is addressing gaps in clinical exposure for child neurology residents to improve their clinical skills.
Department News
Workshop Brings Teams Together
Faculty and staff from across Michigan Medicine came together this week for the third RISE (Research. Innovation. Scholarship. Education.) and the Academy of Medical Educators Education Engagement Workshop Series: Teaming in Action: Navigating Dynamic Educational Teams.
Points of Blue
Dr. Diane Harper on Mentorship, Motivation, and Meaningful Teaching
Dr. Diane Harper brings a rare blend of curiosity, compassion, and presence to every learning encounter. In this month’s Featured Educator spotlight, she reflects on the joy she finds in students' “aha” moments and the enduring influence of her mentor, Dr. James Bergin. From her early days rowing with the U.S. Women’s National Team to her current life in Ann Arbor, Dr. Harper shares the experiences that continue to shape her approach to teaching and connection.
Points of Blue
Glenn Fox, PhD, MS: Bringing Curiosity and Innovation to Anatomy Education
Dr. Glenn Fox has shaped anatomy education at the University of Michigan through his leadership, innovation, and deep commitment to learner growth. As director of the Anatomical Donations Program and a core educator in the Division of Anatomical Sciences, he supports students in developing a meaningful understanding of the human body and its clinical relevance.
Department News
Fostering Patient Safety and Quality Improvement through an Equity Lens
Katie Grzyb, MHSA, a RISE Cohort 4 Innovator, is empowering internal medicine residents to approach patient safety and quality improvement work with an equity lens. Her work focuses on encouraging residents to consider equity without mandating it as a primary focus.
Department News
RISE Announces Newest Cohort of Innovators for 2026
Michigan Medicine RISE (Research. Innovation. Scholarship. Education.) announces its Cohort 6 innovators, who will participate in the Innovator Development Program (IDP) beginning in January 2026. The IDP is a 12-month program focused on developing innovators in health science education. Through monthly workshops, engagement in the RISE community of practice and coaching, innovators will develop the seven Health Science Education Innovation competencies and pilot an intervention, applying the skills they learn.
