Rana Awdish, M.D., author of "In Shock: My Journey From Death to Recovery and the Redemptive Power of Hope," will discuss her memoir at the Jan. 18 meeting of the WSU School of Medicine's Women in Medicine and Science Group.

After suffering a sudden critical illness, Dr. Awdish, a 2002 graduate of the WSU School of Medicine, has a special interest in improving empathy through connection and communication. She lectures to physicians, health care leaders and medical schools across the country on the necessity of compassionate care.

She was awarded the Speak-Up Hero award in 2014 for her efforts to establish a workshop-based program called CLEAR (Connect, Listen, Emphasize, Align, Respect), which trains faculty and trainees in relationship-based communication skills utilizing improvisational actors.

Dr. Awdish is the director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Program at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and is a practicing Critical Care Medicine physician. She was recently named medical director of Care Experience for the Henry Ford Health System.

The meeting, which will run from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Margherio Family Conference Center, is free, but seating is limited, so please RSPV to amessman@med.wayne.edu.