March 15, 2024
Columbia, MD – AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care (PALTC) Medicine has elected its 2024-2025 Board of Directors. Rajeev Kumar, MD, FACP, CMD, is President; Sabine von Preyss-Friedman, MD, FACP, CMD, is President-Elect; and Leslie Eber, MD, CMD, is Vice President.
Dr. Kumar is a Chicago-based geriatrician who has been working in PALTC for more than 25 years. He currently serves as medical director for Optum at Home’s Delta Team. Prior to this, he was the medical director for Humana I-SNP in the north-central region and previously led a team of clinicians providing palliative care and chronic disease management to homebound seniors in Illinois and Missouri as the regional medical director for Prospero Health. He also serves as the medical director for Plymouth Place and Burgess Square nursing facilities in the western suburbs of Chicago. In his previous role as the managing partner of a large geriatrics practice, he mentored many PA and APRN students, family practice residents, and geriatrics fellows, and has received awards for excellence in teaching and for inclusiveness. He also served as president of AMDA’s Illinois state chapter and for six years on AMDA’s Board.
AMDA has been Dr. von Preyss-Friedman’s professional home since her time as a geriatric medicine fellow when she served as medical director for the University of Washington’s associated skilled nursing facility. Other professional highlights include 12 years as chief medical officer for Avalon Healthcare and being named the Society’s Medical Director of the Year in 2011 and its 2021 Choosing Wisely Champion. In addition, Dr. von Preyss-Friedman is President of AMDA’s Washington state chapter and was appointed by the Governor of Washington to the COVID healthcare advisory group.
Dr. Eber has provided medical directorships for long-term care facilities and hospice and is the medical director for multiple facilities as a part of Rocky Mountain Senior Care in Denver, CO. She serves as the Chief Faculty for Abode Care Partners. She is a clinical advisor for the AMDA Moving Needles CDC grant created to improve adult immunization rates. In 2021, Dr. Eber received the AMDA Medical Director of the Year award. Dr. Eber served as President of CMDA – The Colorado Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine from 2016-2021.
The 2024-2025 Board is rounded out by:
Treasurer: Swati Gaur, MD, MBA, CMD, Gainesville, GA (Returning)
Secretary: Dallas Nelson, MD, FACP, CMD, Rochester, NY (New)
Chair, House of Delegates: Christian Bergman, MD, CMD, Richmond, VA (New)
State Presidents Council Representatives: Danny Felty, MD, FAAFP, CMD, North Chesterfield, VA (Returning); Monica Ott, MD, CMD, Lizton, IN (New); Michael Wasserman, MD, CMD, Newbury Park, CA (Returning)
House of Delegates Representatives: Elizabeth Galik, PhD, CRNP, Ellicott City, MD (New); Allison Villegas, PA-C, Arvada, CO (Returning); Lea Watson, MD, MPH, Lafayette, CO (Returning)
Immediate Past-President: Milta O. Little, DO, CMD, Hillsborough, NC
“I am pleased to welcome the new Board, led by Dr. Rajeev Kumar,” says Michelle Zinnert, CAE, AMDA’s Executive Director. “Their cumulative experience makes them strong ambassadors of our mission and the voice of post-acute and long-term care. Our members will benefit as we partner to deliver new programs and services that support the clinicians working in post-acute and long-term care medicine.”
###
AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine is the only medical specialty society representing the community of over 50,000 medical directors, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other practitioners working in the various post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) settings. Dedicated to defining and improving quality, we advance our mission through timely professional development, evidence-based clinical guidance, and tireless advocacy on behalf of members, patients, families, and staff. Visit www.paltc.org for more information.