HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Internal Medicine Chief Residents Rania Al Asmar, M.B.B.S., and Abdul Mughees Rana, M.B.B.S., share the honor of being selected for Residents of the Month for June by the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, announced Paulette S. Wehner, M.D., vice dean of graduate medical education at the school.

“From mentoring to providing committee leadership to helping with the implementation of a new electronic medical record system, these chief residents do it all,” Wehner said. “On top of everything, Drs. Al Asmar and Rana developed alternative academic and clinical back-up plans for more than 60 residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is not an easy task. They have been exceptional leaders and we are appreciative of them.”

In a large internal medicine residency program, chief residents make the difference. They help with administrative tasks as well as ultimately set the academic and clinical tone of the program.

“Drs. Al Asmar and Rana are truly extraordinary,” said Eva Patton-Tackett, M.D., internal medicine residency program director. “I cannot imagine recognizing one without the other. Together, with Dr. Al Asmar’s energy and Dr. Rana’s calmness, they have been the perfect combination. They are the type of leaders that make a program director’s job easy because you know they care so much and are truly devoted. Dr. Rana has covered more calls than any chief resident in the history of the program; he works tirelessly to ensure everyone’s needs are met and does it with a smile. Dr. Al Asmar is brilliant and energetic, always advocating both for the program and its residents; she has really enhanced education with her morning report sessions.” 

Al Asmar received her medical degree from the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates prior to coming to Huntington to complete the three-year internal medicine residency. During her time at Marshall, Al Asmar competed on the resident jeopardy team, which won the state championship three years in a row. After graduation later this month, she will begin a rheumatology fellowship at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. Rana received his medical degree from the CMH Lahore Medical College in Pakistan. He will enter a pulmonary and critical care fellowship at Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

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Photo: June Residents of the Month Rania Al Asmar, M.B.B.S., (left) and Abdul Mughees Rana, M.B.B.S., (right) are pictured with Eva Patton-Tackett, M.D., internal medicine residency program director.

Media Contact: Michele McKnight, Media Relations Coordinator, Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, 304-691-1713

Date Posted: Wednesday, June 16, 2021