Office of Academic Affiliations

Shakaib Rehman, MD, SCH, MSCP, FACH, FAMIA

2023 Karen M. Sanders Designated Education Officer of the Year Award Nominee

Shakaib Rehman, MD, SCH, MSCP, FACH, FAMIA, Associate Chief of Staff for Education, Designated Education Officer, Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS), is an exceptional champion for health professions education through strengthening relationships with the academic community and developing many innovative educational programs with lasting impacts. He has expanded Graduate Medical Education (GME) with the development and execution of nearly 20 new VA-based and shared residency and fellowship programs with academic affiliates including the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Rehman’s work has led to the expansion of several existing health professions education programs including physician assistant (PA), respiratory therapy, and many nursing disciplines. His efforts to expand the Chief Resident Quality and Safety (CRQS) program contributed to the success of other VA CRQS programs by sharing curriculum and templates. Dr. Rehman has also developed many programs to improve the quality of educational activities, including developing the first-of-its-kind comprehensive wellness program for students and trainees and the Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (JEDI) program to address the local and national issue of systemic racism and equity. His curriculum in humanism and communication skills has been adopted by VHA, medical schools, multiple national and international professional societies, as well as the University of Portugal. Notably, his published papers on humanistic and patient-centric care of pain and addiction curriculum have been adopted by all medical, nursing, and PA schools in the state of Arizona. Dr. Rehman’s enthusiasm, passion and dedication have led to significant innovations in health professions education and have made a tremendous impact on our health professions trainees, staff, Veterans, VA and the Nation.