Pamela A. Saunders, PhD

Associate Professor, Medical Educator Track
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology

(202) 784-4771
saunderp@georgetown.edu
Suite 207 Building D

• Post Doctoral Fellowship (1996 – 1998) University of Kansas, Communication and Aging
• Post Doctoral Fellowship (1994 – 1996) University of California, San Francisco, Sociocultural Gerontology
• Ph.D. (1994) Georgetown University, Sociolinguistics
• MA (1988) University of Pennsylvania, Linguistics
• BA (1986) University of Michigan, Linguistics and Anthropology

Saunders is an Associate Professor in the Neurology Department, with a doctorate in sociolinguistics from GU. Her research focuses on communication and language.  She has spent the last 20 years teaching and conducting research. Her research program includes funding from the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Aging, and the Alzheimer’s Association for a qualitative analysis on communication patterns in the clinical setting including doctor/patient communication.  The program’s research on Trauma Informed Medical Care (TI-MED) found that an intervention with primary care physicians can improve relationships and communication with patients. She serves in several leadership roles related to the educational curriculum at Georgetown University School of Medicine (GUSOM) including the Committee on Medical Education and the Committee on Appointments and Promotions.  She is co-Director of the Geriatrics Clerkship (Y3) as well as serving as the Chief Course Director of the Doctoring Curriculum for first year medical students. She has conducted local and national educational programs for Alzheimer’s caregivers.  She was the director of the first CME conference on AD at GUMC in February, 2010 with 160 participants and 17 speakers.