Emna Bakillah, MD

About Dr. Bakillah

Emna Bakillah graduated with a B.S in biological sciences from Drexel University in 2015 and received her M.D. from Drexel University College of Medicine in 2019. She is interested in pursuing a career in academic surgery with an interest in minimally invasive surgery. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Health Policy Research from the University of Pennsylvania which will aid her in continuing her career in health disparities research. She also currently holds the role of lead general surgery resident for the Center for Surgical Health, a Penn organization that aims to improve the surgical health of vulnerable individuals and under-resourced communities.

Education

2012 - 2015
BS - Drexel University

2015 - 2019
MD - Drexel University College of Medicine

2022 - 2024
MSHP - University of Pennsylvania

Societies

• American College of Surgeons

• Association of Women Surgeons

Awards

2019
AlphaOmega Alpha

2019
Gold Humanism Honor Society

2019
Donald R. Cooper, M.D. Award for Excellence in Surgery
Drexel University College of Medicine

2019
Alan Edelsohn Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service to the Class and the College of Medicine
Drexel University College of Medicine

2017
Award for Outstanding Community Service
Drexel University College of Medicine

2017
Pathology Honor Society
Intersociety Council for Pathology

2013 - 2015
Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society

Research

July 2022 - present
Clinical Research Fellow, Center for Surgery and Health Economics
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Mentor: Rachel Kelz, MD MSCE MBA DABS FACS, Executive Vice Chair Department of Surgery

July 2022 - present
Associate Fellow, Leonard Davis Institute
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

June 2018 - March 2019
Clinical Research Assistant
St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA
Mentor: Christopher Pennell, MD, Department of Pediatric Surgery

June 2016 - September 2017
Clinical Research Assistant
Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Mentor: Rebecca Rinko, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Publications

1. Bakillah E, Sharpe J, Tong JK, Goldshore M, Morris JB, Kelz RR. Non-English Primary Language: A Growing Population’s Access to Cholecystectomy. Annals of Surgery. 2023 May 25:10-97.

2. Bakillah E, Brown D, Syvyk S, Wirtalla C, Kelz RR. Barriers and facilitators to surgical access in underinsured and immigrant populations. The American Journal of Surgery. 2023 Apr 23.

3. Hatchimonji JS, Bakillah E, Hynes AM, Torres CM, Sanchez SE, Seamon MJ, Scantling DR. A tale of two cities: policing and firearm homicides in Boston and Philadelphia. Journal of trauma and acute care surgery. 2023 Jun 15:10-97.

4. Rinko R, Yu I, Bakillah E, Alper L, Delaney C, Su M, Dawson M, Gracely EJ, Whitmore KE. Sequence of pelvic examination affects patient-reported pain. Urogynecology. 2018 Mar 1;24(2):150-4.

5. Landau SI, Roberson JL, Bakillah E, Tchou J. Actinomyces of the reconstructed breast: A case report. Current Problems in Cancer: Case Reports. 2021 Dec 1;4:100112.