Current Fellows 

Emily Grodinsky, MD

Dr. Grodinsky is from the Chicagoland area where she attended Northwestern University for her undergraduate studies before moving to New York City for medical school at Weill Cornell Medical College. She completed a neurology residency at Rush University Medical Center followed by a vascular neurology (stroke) fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. She has worked in Northern Virginia as a neurologist since 2021. Caring for patients with life-altering neurological conditions propelled her to pursue dedicated training in hospice and palliative care. Outside of work she enjoys spending time outdoors, eating delicious food and visiting family/friends.

Katherine Liang, MD

Katherine Liang grew up in Philadelphia and attended the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with a Health and Societies degree. She worked as a clinical research coordinator at UPenn before medical school. She went to the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and continued her training in Internal Medicine at Temple University Hospital. During residency she found fulfillment in serving an underserved population and is interested in complex symptom management. Outside of medicine, she enjoys reading, traveling, and snowboarding. She is looking forward to exploring DC's food scene.

Jenay Powell, MD

Dr. Powell was born in Baltimore, but came of age in Charlotte, NC. She attended Harvard University for undergraduate studies where she obtained a degree in History of Medicine. She obtained her medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed Internal Medicine residency at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis. Though she always knew she had a passion for caring for critically ill patients and their families, she has a special interest in healthcare disparities within the field of hospice and palliative medicine. As one of two inaugural Ethics Track fellows, she looks forward to continuing to advocate for underserved patients within that space. Outside of medicine, she and her husband enjoy exploring new restaurants, live music and traveling.

Melissa Socarras, MD

Dr. Socarras was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine before going on to get a masters degree in Global Medicine at the University of Southern California. After working for a few years, she obtained her medical degree from the University of Illinois in Chicago. She completed her Emergency Medicine residency and NYU / Bellevue in New York City. During her training she developed her passion of caring for patients and their families with serious illness and at the end-of-life.  After fellowship she hopes to practice a blend of Emergency Medicine and Palliative Care. Her interests outside of medicine include cooking, farmers markets, traveling, and exploring cafes for a good cup of coffee. 

Rebecca Spiro MSW

Rebecca grew up in Maryland and studied history at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. Upon graduation, she worked in reentry services, Jewish community life, and as a Geriatric Nursing Assistant in acute rehabilitation. She obtained her Master's of Social Work from the University of Maryland Baltimore. Prior to starting fellowship, Rebecca gained valuable experience working with older adults throughout Maryland at a population health services organization within the University of Maryland Medical System. She was drawn to palliative care to support people through the complexities of serious illness with dignity and autonomy. She has particular interest in ethics and health equity and enjoys playing music, dancing, and being in nature.

Wesleyan Smith BSN, RN, CCRN

Wesleyan Smith grew up in Maryland. She received her first degree in Art History from Hofstra University. Upon graduating and becoming a caregiver for her grandmother, nursing is a profession that found her. She then pursued other entry level careers in healthcare which guided her in the decision to return back to school for her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Drexel University. She went on to become a nurse working in cardiac intermediate care, medical and surgical intensive care. Her work with advanced heart failure patients is what grew her interest in palliative care and advanced practice. She completed her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of Maryland Baltimore with a focus on Adult-Gerontology Acute Care and is certified as both a nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist. She enjoys music, exercising, and traveling when she's not caring for patients.