2023 Spring STAR Educator Recipient: Ali Seifi, MD
Ali Seifi, MD
Associate Professor
Department of Neurosurgery
Director of Neurocritical Care
Nomination Submission:
I am writing to nominate Dr. Ali Seifi for the LSOM Academy of Educational Scholars Stars of Education Award. Having known him for three years, I can attest that he is one of the most supportive mentors I have had, both in academia in general and in the University of Texas Health Center Long School of Medicine (LSOM) in particular. Dr. Seifi is a compassionate and caring individual who has a strong moral compass and inspires his students to do the same. He is always selfless with his time and makes a concerted effort to guide his students through complex projects, never appearing frustrated or tired. His genuine enthusiasm and passion for teaching and mentoring are contagious, and he encourages his students to engage in all manner of activities, providing them with a positive and inclusive learning environment. Dr. Seifi’s dedication to his students is exceptional. I have personally met with him for hours on a single project, and he has guided me step by step, never getting tired or appearing frustrated. He brings this same level of dedication and patience to all of his students, going above and beyond to ensure their success. On our last series of projects, Dr. Seifi was able to help us elucidate national trends in the fields of neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, neurology, and neurotrauma, as well as a host of other fields. I recall myself and two other students struggling to get the project started. Dr. Seifi met with us during his lunch break and after his busy shift as the head of the Neuro ICU at University Hospital, going over strategies to start the process. He provided us with encouragement and support, and thanks to his concerted efforts, we were able to have nearly a dozen projects accepted at national conferences in a matter of months.
What sets Dr. Seifi apart is his ability to connect with his students, understand their strengths and weaknesses, and provide them with tailored guidance and support. He listens actively and provides constructive feedback, challenges and encourages his mentees to grow and develop, and offers opportunities for networking and skill-building. He advocates for his students’ professional development and helps them set goals and create action plans to achieve them.
Dr. Ali Seifi has been my teacher during my Neurology rotation, my mentor before that, and most recently, my research Primary Investigator. In all of these roles, he has exceeded expectations, humbling myself and other students, and has been a major pillar of support for us. His impact on his students’ lives is immeasurable, and his dedication and commitment to education are exemplary, making him truly deserving of the Stars of Education Award. Dr. Seifi’s deep knowledge and expertise in his subject area, passion for teaching and commitment to student success, caring and compassionate nature, strong moral compass, and exceptional mentorship qualities have made him an outstanding educator and scholar. I am grateful to have had him as a mentor, and I have no doubt that he will continue to inspire and guide his students towards excellence.
Dr. Seifi has played a huge role in my success as a medical student at UTHSCSA. He has not only been my research mentor but has been there to answer any career advice and help me with any questions I had. He is also such a pleasure to work with in the hospital setting, as I worked with him for 4 weeks in the ICU setting. He was kind, supportive, funny and an overall great attending to have. He taught me so much and encouraged curiosity and questions. He even took the time to go to the SIM lab with us and teach us things about intubation and other procedures common in the ICU setting. He truly deserves this award and I wish him all the best in his future career and life!
Dr. Seifi was a wonderful attending who taught me a lot when I was a student on the Neurocritical Care service. I felt that I was able to gain a lot of knowledge which will serve me well as a resident and beyond. I hope Dr. Seifi is recognized for the critical role he plays in the education of students who work on his service.