Channarayapatna R. Sridhara, MD, Receives AANEM's 2024 Ernest Johnson Outstanding Educator Award

Dr. Sridhara began with faculty academic appointments at Temple University Hospital and Temple University Medical School in 1978, starting as a chief resident and clinical instructor. As his career progressed, he was appointed clinical associate professor of the Department of PM&R in 1990. In 2001, he was appointed professor of clinical rehabilitation medicine, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Sidney Kimmel Medical School, Thomas Jefferson University, and adjunct professor of PM&R at Temple University. He served as program director of the Einstein Medical Center/MossRehab PM&R Residency Training Program for 2 years.

Today, Dr. Sridhara remains the professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the Sidney Kimmel Medical School, Thomas Jefferson University. He also serves as director of the MossRehab Electrodiagnostic Center and director of the graduate and undergraduate medical education at MossRehab. Dr. Sridhara is a member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and the Association of Academic Physiatrists. He has published several articles and chapters on EDX and has lectured widely in this field. He has been recognized for his excellence in teaching by his peers, and was named “Top Doc” by Philadelphia Magazine. Most recently, he received the 2023 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Education at Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Jefferson University.

Though he has many achievements, he says, “I am most proud of the huge number of residents I have trained over the past 45 years from three programs in the Philadelphia area, and their achievements in the fields of physiatry and EDX medicine.” Dr. Sridhara says his motivation to educate others in NM and EDX medicine has come easily. “It is a natural extension of curiosity in solving the innate problems that are inherent to EDX medicine.” He says that he finds fulfillment in solving the puzzles of the unknown in anatomy, neurophysiology, and pathology, and he would like to share his knowledge and perspective with residents, referring physicians, and others in the field. His goal is to continue to educate, saying that in the future, he would like to continue to teach the nuances of EDX medicine to residents as long as he has the ability to advocate for the field.

Dr. Sridhara wants aspiring physicians to know that, “the field of EDX medicine and neurophysiology has continued to evolve and add to the knowledge base every  day. I advise them to continue to keep an open mind, to learn new information, and that the base learning is only a foundation to build a castle of knowledge.” He also shares an important lesson he’s learned along the way, “Don’t be afraid to say that you made a mistake, or that you are flummoxed by a problem, or you don’t know the answer. The ‘I don’t knows’ make for fulfilling opportunities to learn, grow, and advance the field.”

His long-standing membership with AANEM has been instrumental in his own professional growth by providing avenues for collaboration, education, and mentorship. He acknowledges the invaluable contributions of mentors and colleagues who have shaped his career trajectory and brought him to the point of achieving the Ernest Johnson Outstanding Educator Award.

In accepting the award, Dr. Sridhara pays homage to Dr. Johnson, whose teachings have inspired generations of EDX practitioners. “It is a great honor to be considered for and receive this award that is presented in the name of Dr. Johnson, one of our greatest teachers. I had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Johnson from lectures during residency and later as an educator myself from his books, presentations, workshops, and lectures at AANEM meetings and in the EMG courses. He was a role model for so many of us with his knowledge of EDX and his wit. It is very fulfilling to receive this recognition for teaching.”