GAL BARAK, MD, FAAP

CURRENT POSITION

Chief Fellow, Section of Hospital Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital 2020-present
 Led bi-weekly check-ins with current fellows to troubleshoot program concerns, present updates, and offer guidance with
research timelines and program policies
 Organized speakers for fellowship enrichment and faculty development sessions
 Served as a liaison in educational leadership meetings to advocate for current fellows

POST-GRADUATE TRAINING

Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH)/Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 2019-present

Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) Fellowship

TCH/BCM, Houston, TX 2016-2019

Pediatrics Residency

FORMAL EDUCATION

University of Houston, Houston, TX 2020-present

Master’s of Education (anticipated completion Summer 2021)

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 2012-2016

Doctorate of Medicine (MD)

California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, CA 2008-2012

Bachelor of Science Degree, with Honors, in Biology

LICENSURE

Board Certified in General Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics 2019-present

Texas Medical Board – License S1049 2019-present
DEA Registration 2019-present

CERTIFICATIONS

Pediatric Advanced Life Support Expires June 2022

IHI Quality and Safety Certificate 2019

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

AAP Section on Hospital Medicine 2019-present

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2016-present
Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) 2016-present

HONORS AND AWARDS

Educational Scholarship Recognition Award in the Trainee, BCM 2020

 Awarded to 4 trainees based on highest scoring abstract and poster at Annual Educational Scholarship Showcase
Department of Pediatrics Advanced Degree Scholarship, BCM 2020
 Scholarship awarded to 10 fellows per year pursuing advanced degrees
Best Platform Presentation, BCM Department of Pediatrics 2019
 Awarded to top presenters at Annual Education Day Retreat
Educational Scholarship Recognition Award in the Trainee, BCM 2019
 Awarded to 4 trainees based on highest scoring abstract and poster at Annual Educational Scholarship Showcase
Distinguished Resident Educator Award, BCM Department of Pediatrics 2019
 Awarded to residents with commitment to education by investing over 50 hours of direct teaching, personal development,
and innovation in medical education
Resident of the Month, BCM Department of Pediatrics 2019
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 Nominated by faculty and peers for patient care, teaching, and leadership as PHM supervisor
Adolescent Resident of the Year, BCM Department of Pediatrics 2018
 Awarded annually to a pediatric resident who demonstrated excellence during the adolescent medicine rotation
Intern of the Month, BCM Department of Pediatrics 2016
 Nominated by faculty and peers for patient advocacy and teamwork as hematology-oncology intern
Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society 2016
 Elected to Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai chapter
Abstract Achievement Award, American Geriatrics Society Annual Conference in Orlando, FL 2014
 Awarded to 25 trainees with the highest scoring abstracts at annual meeting
Davis Merit Scholarship, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai 2013
 Merit-based award provided to first year medical student with the highest grade average

RESEARCH AND QUALITY IMRPOVEMENT EXPERIENCE

Research Support
Educational Research Grant, BCM 2020
 Research grant awarded by Center for Research, Innovation, and Scholarship in Medical Education
American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR)/Hartford Scholar 2013
 National grant awarded to medical students pursuing research related to geriatric health
Nellie Bergen and Adrian Foster Tillotson Research Fellowship Award, Caltech 2010
 Research grant awarded to undergraduate students pursuing research
Carl and Shirley Larson Research Fellowship Award, Caltech 2009
 Research grant awarded to undergraduate students pursuing research

Review Panels
Pediatric Hospital Medicine 2020 Conference Abstract Reviewer 2020
 Participated in peer review process and provided feedback on abstract and conundrum submissions for PHM 2020
Conference, virtual conference, Lake Buena Vista, FL 2020

Research Activities
Understanding the Dynamic Between Senior Residents and Fellows on PHM Teams 2019-present
Mentor: Geeta Singhal, MD, MEd
 Qualitative research study examining the factors that impact the senior resident-fellow dynamic on PHM teams
 Gained experience with interview question design and concepts of qualitative research design as lead study contributor
 Grant awarded by Baylor College of Medicine Center for Research, Innovation, and Scholarship in Medical Education

Preventing Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Events in Inpatient Pediatric Patients 2019-present

Mentor: Brent Mothner, MD
 Quality improvement project on improve appropriate VTE prophylaxis for PHM patients utilizing a standardized VTE
screener
 Major contributor to design, Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles, and presentation of work locally

Understanding the Optimal Team Composition of Learners on PHM Teams 2017-2019

Mentor: Geeta Singhal, MD, MEd
 Survey based study to investigate resident and faculty perceptions about the optimal number and composition of learners on a
general inpatient pediatric team, as well as the impact of a fellow on resident learning
 Gained experience with survey design and Internal Review Board (IRB) applications
 Manuscript in preparation

Assessing Dendritic Spine Changes in a Novel Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease 2013-2014
Mentor: Dara L. Dickstein, PhD
 Analyzed dendritic spine morphology variations in a novel mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease using confocal microscopy
 Developed problem solving and troubleshooting skills to navigate unexpected research obstacles

Modeling a “Natural Speed” of Reaching Movements 2010

Mentor: Pietro Mazzoni, MD, PhD
 Studied 2-dimensional reaching movements in human volunteers to examine the existence and constancy of a “natural” speed
 Obtained consent and provided standardized instructions to volunteers, analyzed data, and presented the work locally
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Mitochondrial Stress in a Model for Parkinson’s Disease 2009-2010

Mentor: Bruce Hay, PhD
 Developed a 2-hybrid assay using molecular biology tools to assess for mitochondrial stress in cell lines
 Acquired skills in organization, record keeping, and attention to detail needed for molecular assays and cell culture
maintenance

PUBLICATIONS

Barak, G., Carroll, MR., Dean, AL. Salpingitis as a Consequence of Constipation. Manuscript under review at Pediatrics.

Barak, G., Kumar, S., Singhal, G. Understanding the Optimal Composition of Learners on Pediatric Hospital Medicine Teams: A
Survey Based Study [Abstract]. Journal of Graduate Medical Education. February 2021.

POSTER AND ORAL PRESENTATIONS

National and International Conferences

Barak, G., Kumar, S., Singhal, G. Understanding the Optimal Composition of Learners on Pediatric Hospital Medicine Teams: A
Survey Based Study. Oral presentation accepted to the International Conference on Residency Education 2020; Vancouver, CA,
September 2020. Due to COVID-19, this peer-reviewed abstract is pending publication in the Journal of Graduate Medical Education.

Barak, G., Kumar, S., Singhal, G. Understanding the Optimal Composition of Learners on Pediatric Hospital Medicine Teams: A
Survey Based Study. Poster presentation accepted to Pediatric Hospital Medicine Conference 2020; Lake Buena Vista, FL, July 2020.
Due to COVID-19, this peer-reviewed abstract was disseminated on 7/20/2020 to PHM 2020 Meeting Program Guide.

Barak, G., Dean, AL. Under Pressure. Mini-platform presentation accepted to the Pediatric Hospital Medicine Conference 2020; Lake
Buena Vista, FL, July 2020. Due to COVID-19, this peer-reviewed abstract was disseminated on 7/20/2020 to PHM 2020 Meeting
Program Guide.

Barak, G. Not So Rosy: A Cheeky Diagnosis. Oral platform presented at the Pediatric Hospital Medicine Conference; Seattle, WA,
July 2019.

Barak, G., Price, K., Brautigam, H, Dickstein, D.L. Assessing Dendritic Changes in a Novel Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Oral platform presented at the American Geriatrics Society 2014 Annual Meeting; Orlando, FL, May 2014.

Regional and Local Conferences

Barak, G., Dean, A., Haq, H., Singhal, G. Understanding the Dynamic Between Senior Residents and Fellows on Pediatric Hospital
Medicine Teams: A Qualitative Study. Poster presented at the Annual Showcase of Educational Scholarship, Baylor College of
Medicine; Houston, TX, September 2020.

Barak, G., Kumar, S., Singhal, G. Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen. Oral platform presented at the Annual Education Day Retreat,
Baylor College of Medicine; Houston, TX, December 2019.

Barak, G., Kumar, S., Singhal, G. Assessment of Clinical Learning Environment on a General Inpatient Pediatric Team. Poster
presented at the Annual Showcase of Educational Scholarship, Baylor College of Medicine; Houston, TX, September 2019.

Barak, G., Kumar, S., Singhal, G. Assessment of Clinical Learning Environment on a General Inpatient Pediatric Team. Poster
presented at the Pediatric Resident Scholarship Day, Baylor College of Medicine; Houston, TX, June 2019.

Barak, G., Price, K., Brautigam, H, Dickstein, D.L. Assessing Dendritic Changes in a Novel Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Poster presented at the Nineteenth Annual Medical Student Research Day, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York, NY,
March 2014.

Barak, G., Shabbott, B., Mazzoni, P. What is the “Natural Speed” of Reaching Movements? Oral presentation at the Summer
Undergraduate Research Fellowship Seminar Day, California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, CA, August 2010.

Barak, G., Dusinberre, K., Hay, B. 2-Hybrid Assay for Mitochondrial Stress in Parkinson’s Disease. Oral presentation at the Summer
Undergraduate Research Fellowship Seminar Day, California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, CA, August 2009.
 Gal Barak, MD 4

TEACHING EXPERIENCES
See Educational Portfolio at galbarak.weebly.com/ for additional details

BCM Workshop Facilitator at Regional Conference 2020-present

 Three to Tango: Autonomy and Supervision as Fellows
o Designed an interactive workshop on autonomy and supervision for pediatric fellows, and presented it at BCM
Fellow’s College, Department of Pediatrics
 Assessing and Supporting Learner’s Emotions
o Designed and presented an interactive workshop on emotional intelligence as part of a series for supervisor residents

BCM Physician Assistant Fellowship Series Lecturer 2019-2020

 Created and presented annual lecture on management of intravenous fluids and common electrolyte derangements for PA and
PA surgical fellows

BCM Medical School Course Instructor 2019-present

 APEX: 4th year medical student course focused on the transition from medical school to residency
o Lectured on practical skills for overnight respiratory emergencies through case base discussion
 Sub-Intern Academic Half Day: 4th year medical student course focused on practicing safe hand-offs
o Led interactive group sessions practicing the use of the standardized I-PASS tool
 Patient Safety: 2nd year medical student case-based course focused on interdisciplinary collaboration
o Facilitated multidisciplinary small group sessions with medical students, pharmacy students, and nursing students
 Physician, Patient, and Society: 1st and 2nd year medical student course focused on physical exam skills
o Facilitated small group sessions with introduction into the clinical environment and physical exam
 Electronic Medical Record Workshop: 2nd year medical student workshop focused on transition to clerkship rotations
o Lectured and role-modeled techniques to utilizing the EMR in order to provide safe and efficient patient care

BCM Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Course: High Value Care Instructor 2019-present
 Facilitated small group discussions with pediatric interns including reflections on high value care and insights on how to
improve practices of high value care
 Participated in sessions approximately every other month

BCM Pedi 101 Evidence Based Medicine Course Instructor 2019-present

 Created lecture on basic concepts of Evidence Based Medicine as part of a pediatric intern rotation
 Volunteered to lead interactive workshop sessions with pediatric interns

TCH PHM Faculty Development Series Lecturer 2019-present

 Board Review – Renal, Genitourinary, Gynecology, Electrolytes, Acid/Base (9/2020)
 Journal Club – Top 3 Articles of the Quarter (7/2020)
 Journal Club – PICO: Benefits of Remdesivir in Covid-19 (4/2020)
 Board Review – Cardiology (2/2020)
 Multidisciplinary PHM/PEM Case Conference – Kingella discitis (12/2019)
 Journal Club – Testing for meningitis in febrile infants with UTI (11/2019)
 Quality and Safety – Hypovolemic shock with gastroenteritis (8/2019)

BCM Pediatric Residency Program Conference Lecturer 2018-2020

 Noon Conference lecture on venous thromboembolism prevention, diagnosis, and treatment (4/2020)
 Noon Conference Board Review presentation (6/2019)
 Morning Report on Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis (4/2019)
 Noon Conference on Newborn and Neonatology Board Review (3/2019)
 Noon Conference Journal Club on Acetaminophen use for prevention of febrile seizures (12/2018)
 Noon Conference on newborn rashes (8/2018)

BCM Clinical Teacher on the Wards 2016-present

 Developed teaching materials and presented didactic sessions to medical students and pediatric residents including:
o Common Infectious Diseases and Antibiotic Management (2019-present)
o Pulmonary Hypertension (6/2019)
o Retinopathy of Prematurity (3/2019)
o Patent Ductus Arteriosus (3/2019)
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o Metabolic Bone Disease of Prematurity (3/2019)

o Delayed and Precocious Puberty (1/2019)
o Approach to AKI (10/2018)
o Oxygen Delivery Devices (8/2018)
o Acne Diagnosis and Management (2/2017)
o Contraception Overview (1/2017)
o Pediatric Physical Exam (2016-2018)

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Teaching Assistant 2013-2016

 Selected as a teaching assistant for first year medical students in Physiology and Biochemistry courses, prepared practice
questions and led review sessions for the courses
 Facilitated and provided feedback for small group sessions in which third year medical students role played challenging
scenarios with standardized patients

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Peer Tutor 2013-2016

 Worked one-on-one as a tutor for 1st year courses including anatomy, histology, and embryology
 Acquired broad range of teaching tools and styles to explain concepts to a variety of learners

Caltech Undergraduate Department Teaching Assistant 2009-2012

 Selected as a teaching assistant for freshman chemistry and freshman biology courses
 Taught section of 25 students with self-developed curriculum on a weekly basis; held class-wide review sessions and office
hours
 Gained experience with curriculum design and readjusting teaching plans in response to feedback

Caltech Dean’s Tutor 2010-2012

 Selected as a tutor through the Dean’s office for various courses including chemistry, organic chemistry, and genetics

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Educational Leadership Roles

BCM PHM Fellowship, Chief Fellow 2020-present
 Represented fellow interests within the division including communication about program issues or changes
 Served as the first point of contact for fellow concerns and promoted collaboration for solutions

BCM PHM Fellowship Curriculum/Faculty Development Committee, Chair 2020-present

 Chair of committee tasked with reviewing and proposing changes to faculty development and fellowship curriculum
 Brainstormed solutions to challenges in PHM fellowship, utilizing conclusions from my educational research projects

BCM Program Evaluation Committee, Member 2019-present

 Member of committee tasked with reviewing and renewing the residency curriculum
 Participated in discussions regarding proposed curricular changes

Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP), Preceptor 2018

 Mentored undergraduate student one-on-one during a shadowing program on inpatient rotation
 Developed skills of role modeling, patience, and flexibility with teaching

BCM Medical Student Shelf Reviews, Coordinator 2018-2019

 Organized and presented shelf review sessions for medical students on their pediatric rotations
 Created updated and interactive educational materials to better facilitate learning

BCM Academy of Resident Educators, Member 2016-2019

 Prepared and presented teaching topics for medical students and residents on the wards
 Presented reviews for the pediatric shelf exam to groups of 5-10 medical students, for 11-12 sessions lasting approximately
two hours each
 Offered mentorship and guidance to medical students interested in applying for residency in pediatrics

Icahn School of Medicine MedStart Program, Activity Leader Director 2013

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 Lead activity sessions for middle school students designed to encourage interest in medicine and to build confidence and
good health habits
 Oversaw training of other medical students volunteering in activity sessions

Other Leadership Roles

TCH Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Prevention Workgroup, PHM Representative 2019-present
 Volunteered to serve on VTE prevention workgroup for institution-wide quality improvement project
 Functioned as a liaison between QI project conducted by PHM fellows and institution-wide efforts to improve adherence to
national standards for VTE prevention and reporting

TCH Evidence Based Outcomes Center: VTE Workgroup, Member 2019

 Reviewed clinical guideline proposed by specialists on management of VTE
 Participated in workgroup meetings to provide feedback on usability and clarity of VTE management algorithm

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Admissions Committee, Member 2015-2016

 Reviewed applications, interviewed applicants, and discussed candidates in committee meetings

Caltech Undergraduate House, Co-President 2012

 Elected to work with student council and undergraduate administration to oversee the self-governance of student
undergraduate house of approximately 70 students

Caltech Board of Control, Secretary and Member 2010-2011

 Collaborated with other elected student representatives to investigate reports of honor code violations and to determine how
to resolve cases of violations
 Maintained a written record of all case hearings and reviewed outcomes with undergraduate Deans

SERVICE ACTIVITIES

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Students for Students Program, Mentor 2013-2016
 Mentored 1st year medical students through organized school events and meetings

Icahn School of Medicine Adolescent Health Center, Tutor 2013

 Taught math and reading to student with intellectual disabilities

Henry Street Settlement Senior Companion Program, Liaison 2013

 Prepared presentations about topics of interest, including Parkinson’s disease and sexual health, for senior citizens

East Harlem Community Outreach Program, Youth and Family Services Liaison 2012-2013
 Collaborated with leaders of local youth and family services organizations to compile a list of community programs for
distribution to student clinic patients

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai First Generation Scholars Program, Mentor 2012-2013
 Mentored high school seniors who are the first in their families to apply to college, and provided assistance with navigating
the college application process

Caltech RISE Tutoring Program, Tutor 2009-2012

 Volunteered as math/science tutor for high school students from underserved school district to help bridge educational gaps
 Gained insight into socioeconomic disparities and the role they play in education

SKILLS

Languages: English (native), Hebrew (fluent)

Qualitative research skills including conducting interviews and using DeDoose software for qualitative analysis.
Experience with computer programming in Java, C, Python, Mathematica, and MATLAB.