Foundation leadership
Ashesh Patel, MD
Chair, Board of Trustees
Dr. Patel was born in Columbus, Ohio, earned a BA in political science and medical degree from University of Cincinnati and completed Internal Medicine residency at George Washington University Hospital. He has been a clinical faculty member in GW Dept of Medicine, a member of MSDC and in private primary care practice for over 20 years. Dr. Patel is a past Governor of American College of Physicians, DC chapter. His interests include health policy and evidence-based medicine and he enjoys spending time with family and friends.
The President-Elect of the Medical Society serves as Chair of the Foundation Board during their term.
Theresa Stone, MD
Vice Chair, Board of Trustees
Dr. Stone co-founded and runs Fresh & Savory Culinary and Lifestyle Medicine Pop Up Teaching Kitchen Shared Medical Appointment. She works with patients to create sustainable evidence- based lifestyle choices that prevent, decrease progression of chronic illness and promote wellbeing. She has been awarded Recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance Physician Practice Connections Patient-Centered Medical Home Program (PPC-PCMH). Recognition identifies clinicians who make the most of clinical information to make better decisions and provide better follow-up care.
The MSDC Board of Directors elects a Vice Chair of the Foundation Board of Trustees.
Raymond Tu, MD
Secretary/Treasurer
The MSDC Treasurer also serves as the Foundation's Treasurer.
J. Desiree Pineda, MD
Board of Trustee member and Chair, Wellbeing Committee
Dr. J. Desiree Pineda completed a Endocrinology Fellowship at the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disorders (NIDKK) at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. She served as a Lieutenant Commander for the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. Completed her Internal Medicine training at the University of Connecticut Health Center. A native Washingtonian - born in. GW and lived in 16th st- Diplomatic family moved to the Dominican Republic where she graduated cum laude as Doctor of Medicine. After medical school she conducted research as a National Service Award Fellow at the National Institute of Health. Third generation Washingtonian medical doc. Dr. Pineda has been in private practice in DC since 1993. She is a Past President of Medical Society of the District of Columbia and a past American Medical Association Delegate for DC. She has one son in college and one Coton de Tulear dog.
The MSDC Board of Directors appoints the Chair of the Wellbeing Committee, who is automatically a Board of Trustee member for the Foundation.
Charles Samenow, MD
Board of Trustee member and Chair, Physician Health Committee
Charles Samenow, MD, MPH is board-certified in Psychiatry. He is an associate professor and the Assistant Director for Medical Student Education at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences. Dr. Samenow attended medical school at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He completed his internship at Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University School of Medicine and both his residency and fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He has specialized interests in professional health and wellness, addictions, and psychosomatic medicine. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH) and as the editor of Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention. Dr. Samenow also serves as the course director for The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences courses in Psychopathology and Conceptual Models and Human Sexuality. Dr. Samenow has presented both nationally and internationally on physician and attorney health issues and has published peer reviewed articles on disruptive physician behaviors. He has received multiple honors and awards including election to Phi Beta Kappa, receipt of the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation's Leadership Development Award, and the 1999 Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Program Award presented on Capitol Hill by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The MSDC Board of Directors appoints the Chair of the Physician Health Committee, who is automatically a Board of Trustee member for the Foundation.