Lisa Jones, MD, MPH, MMCI, assistant professor (CHS), Gastroenterology and Hepatology, pictured above, was accepted into the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) Centennial Scholars Program. 

The competitive program develops faculty whose diversity enhances the quality of education and research at the SMPH, and who may serve as visible and available role models for students and trainees, especially those from underrepresented minority backgrounds.

The program provides mentoring and three years of funding to support each Scholar's work.

As the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology’s medical director of pelvic floor and anorectal disorders, Dr. Jones’ clinical interests include the treatment of fecal incontinence, rectal pain, refractory constipation, and other related conditions.

She received her medical degree from Duke University and her master of public health from the University of North Carolina. She completed her residency at the University of Pennsylvania and her gastroenterology fellowship at Duke University. She joined the Department of Medicine faculty in September 2018. 

Through the Centennial Scholars Program, Dr. Jones aims to improve awareness of—and decrease stigma around—benign anorectal conditions through innovative, high-quality care and increased patient and provider education. Despite their prevalence, these conditions are often underrecognized, challenging to diagnose, and embarrassing for patients to discuss.

She will use support from the Centennial Scholars Program to develop a blended technology-based and clinical curriculum for gastroenterology and non-gastroenterology trainees. Her future work will focus on deploying a technology-supported educational platform for providers to use at the point of care. 

She also aims to improve patient outcomes by improving provider knowledge and confidence around digital rectal examination (DRE). The DRE is critical for assessing anorectal conditions, but is often underutilized in the clinical evaluation. 

Resources

• Centennial Scholars Program, UW School of Medicine and Public Health intranet. Accessed December 2, 2019.

Banner: Dr. Lisa Jones, pictured in clinic. Credit: Clint Thayer/Department of Medicine.