Mukaila Raji, MD, MS, FACP, is a Professor and Division Director of Geriatric Medicine in the Department of Internal
Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch.
He received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Ife in Nigeria and his Master of Science in Pharmacology
from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the
Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC before embarking on a fellowship with Duke University in Geriatric
Medicine. He received his certification in medical and health care management from Rice University in Houston.
Dr. Raji has dedicated 25 years of his professional career to UTMB. He began in 1999 as an Assistant Professor,
working diligently for his professorship with tenure. He is a three-time recipient of the Sir William Osler Excellence in
Clinical Teaching Award, most recently in 2024.
More than 60 faculty members have benefited from Dr. Raji’s tutelage over the years, many of whom have gone
on to assume leadership positions as university professors, fellowship directors, and officers of health systems.
Beyond his own department, he has mentored faculty members across multiple UTMB schools with their grant
applications and publications.
Sadaf Milani, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology in the School of Public and
Population Health, has been mentored by Dr. Raji for the past four years. Dr. Milani shares, “Dr. Raji regularly invites
researchers to shadow him in his memory clinic, giving them the opportunity to learn how Alzheimer’s disease is
assessed and treated.” He provides access and a space for colleagues and mentees to learn from one another.
As a leader, he understands how to assemble interdisciplinary teams comprised of researchers and students at all
levels of experience, making introductions to others with shared interests.
Dr. Raji is generous with the time he shares with his mentees, and also with the time he dedicates to his mentees
on their behalf. Dr. Milani calls him a “champion” of mentee accomplishments, bringing attention to their successes
and writing meaningful recommendation letters. When he hears of a colleague’s success, he
forwards that information to the individual’s department chair and school leadership. This
level of commitment is not the exception, but the norm for Dr. Raji.
M. Kristen Peek, PhD, Senior Vice President and Dean of the School of Public and
Population Health, says, “UTMB is truly fortunate to have a physician-scientist such as
Dr. Raji – and he is most deserving of the Mentoring Award.”
Congratulations, Dr. Mukaila Raji, recipient of the inaugural UTMB Faculty Excellence
Award for Excellence in Mentoring!