2024 Awards of Excellence Recipients
October 31, 2024
Penn Medicine Awards of Excellence
Dear Colleagues:
I take great pride in announcing this year’s recipients of the Penn Medicine Awards of Excellence, each of whom was chosen by a committee of distinguished faculty from the Perelman School of Medicine. The awardees exemplify our profession’s highest values and epitomize the preeminence we all strive to achieve. Please join me in extending our sincere congratulations to the following 2023 award recipients:
Clinical Awards
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Louis Duhring Outstanding Clinical Specialist AwardProfessor of Dermatology The Duhring Award recognizes a clinical specialist physician who blends biomedical science, recent advances in clinical research, and insight to provide cutting-edge services to patients and colleagues. The awardee is able to apply clinical knowledge innovatively and creatively and maintains a commitment to patients that goes beyond the norm and exemplifies Penn Medicine’s goal for clinical care and professionalism. Dr. Ellen Kim is a distinguished expert in complex medical dermatology, internationally recognized for her mastery in cutaneous lymphoma, innovative research, and academic leadership. As director of the Penn Cutaneous Lymphoma Program and Photopheresis Service, she has advanced clinical care through groundbreaking studies on novel therapies. As a leader within the Penn Medicine community, she demonstrates an unwavering commitment to education, mentorship, patient wellbeing and collaborative excellence across the field. |
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Sylvan Eisman Outstanding Primary Care Physician AwardAssociate Professor of Medicine: General Internal Medicine The Eisman Award recognizes a physician in family or general internal medicine, general pediatrics, or obstetrics/gynecology who strives for continuous improvement and the highest quality of practice, while maintaining a commitment to patients that goes beyond the norm and exemplifies the Penn Medicine goals for clinical care, professionalism, and standards for excellence. Dr. Andrew Maier is the medical director at the Edward S. Cooper Clinic, recognized for his unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and the highest standards of patient care. His exceptional leadership and clinical acumen have driven innovative initiatives like the physician home-visiting program to provide comprehensive care to residents of West Philadelphia and neighboring communities. Dr. Maier’s dedicated approach fosters a supportive environment across his team, has a transformative impact on health care delivery, and exemplifies Penn Medicine’s goals for excellence, compassionate care, and community. |
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Luigi Mastroianni, Jr. Clinical Innovator AwardCourtney A. Schreiber, MD, MPH Stuart and Emily B.H. Mudd Professor in Human Behavior & Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology The Mastroianni Award recognizes a physician who has made significant contributions toward the invention and development of new techniques, approaches, procedures, or devices that change medical practice and are of major benefit to patient care. Dr. Courtney Schreiber is a pioneering leader in pregnancy care and family planning, having founded the Pregnancy Early Access Center (PEACE) program, which integrates timely, patient-centered healthcare for individuals facing complications during early pregnancy with clinical research. In the spirit of true collaboration, she fosters interdisciplinary partnerships across fields and disciplines. Her groundbreaking contributions in clinical innovation and research have not only changed guidelines and clinical practice, but also resulted in a novel healthcare delivery model that has inspired over 100 similar programs nationwide, promoting health equity, access, and improving outcomes for all. |
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Alfred Stengel Health System Champion AwardLaurel J. Glaser, MD, PhD, D(ABMM) Associate Professor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Assistant Professor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Vivianna M. Van Deerlin, MD, PhD Professor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine The Stengel Award recognizes a physician who has made significant contributions toward the clinical integration and efficiency of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, along with demonstrated commitment to the improvement of quality care. Dr. Laurel Glaser is a highly respected physician scientist who leads the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory; her extensive expertise in virology significantly enhanced Penn's response to COVID-19 pandemic through innovative testing approaches, outreach, data sharing, and clinician support. Dr. Kyle Rodino is the director of the Rittenhouse Molecular Laboratory and demonstrated exceptional leadership in COVID testing and public health during the pandemic, notably developing a validated SARS-CoV-2 viral genome sequencing assay in collaboration with the Department of Microbiology that monitors virus evolution in Philadelphia and informed critical outbreak investigations and mitigation strategies. Dr. Vivianna Van Deerlin is a highly accomplished physician scientist with extensive experience in molecular diagnostic testing. As the Director of the Molecular Pathology Laboratory for Penn Medicine and the COVID-19 Saliva Testing Laboratory for the university, she drove remarkable accomplishments in SARS-CoV-2 RNA assay validation and laboratory operations, while also fostering staff development and ensuring rapid, high-quality testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, Drs. Glaser, Rodino, and Van Deerlin’s selfless leadership and tireless efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the establishment of a comprehensive testing program that conducted over 800,000 tests for the University and sequenced more than 7,500 SARS-CoV-2 genomes to monitor viral variants. Through innovative project management, outreach, and a steadfast commitment to quality care, they not only enhanced patient management and community health in real time but also laid the groundwork for system-wide improvements that will benefit the health system for years to come. |
Mentoring/Professionalism Awards
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Arthur K. Asbury Outstanding Faculty Mentor AwardProfessor of Emergency Medicine The Asbury Award recognizes a faculty member who has fostered the professional development of other faculty by providing inspiring and effective counsel in a manner that enables professional growth and development. Dr. Raina Merchant is a distinguished leader in digital health and a passionate advocate for mentorship. Having mentored over 100 individuals, she exemplifies an unwavering commitment to the professional development of her colleagues and trainees. As the VP and Chief Transformation Officer for Penn Medicine and Executive Director of the Penn Center for Health Care Transformation and Innovation, among a number of other impactful leadership roles, she has enriched countless careers through her inspiring counsel, dedication to fostering diversity, and innovative approaches to mentorship that empower the next generation of health services researchers. |
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Duncan Van Dusen Professionalism Award for FacultyProfessor of Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology The Van Dusen Award recognizes a faculty member whose respectful approach, integrity, self-awareness, and personal accountability are exemplary of the campaign for the ongoing elevation of the culture at Penn and for the promotion of exceptional patient care experiences. In her inaugural role as Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Abike James has had a transformative, positive impact on the culture of Penn Medicine, fostering a strong commitment to equity and belonging that resonates throughout the community. Through her leadership of innovative programs and initiatives like the first pipeline program in the Department of OBGYN and the multi-disciplinary Health Equity Workgroup, among others, she exemplifies the qualities of respect, integrity, and personal accountability, ultimately enhancing the patient care experience for all. |
Research Awards
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Marjorie A. Bowman New Investigator Research AwardAssistant Professor of Epidemiology, Medicine: Pulmonary & Critical Care, and Statistics & Data Science The Bowman Award recognizes achievements in the health evaluation sciences, with a particular emphasis on patient-oriented research that addresses fundamental clinical problems as well as the organization and delivery of health care. Dr. Michael Harhay is a trailblazing epidemiologist whose innovative research in clinical trial methodology has profoundly advanced patient-oriented outcomes research in critical care, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and organ transplantation. His exceptional ability to develop and implement cutting-edge statistical frameworks, coupled with his dedication as an educator and collaborator, has positioned him as a leading figure in the health evaluation sciences, significantly transforming approaches to care for critically and seriously ill patients. |
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Michael S. Brown New Investigator Research AwardPresidential Associate Professor Departments of Psychiatry, Microbiology, Bioengineering, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, and Chemistry Established in honor of Nobel Laureate Michael S. Brown, a 1966 Penn School of Medicine alumnus, the Brown Award recognizes emerging faculty investigators engaged in innovative discoveries. Dr. César de la Fuente has emerged as a bold innovator in the field of antibiotic discovery, pioneering the use of artificial intelligence to reveal novel antimicrobial sequences from diverse sources, including extinct organisms, the gut microbiome, and wasp venom. His groundbreaking work bridges biology, engineering, and computer science, accelerating the search for new antibiotics and advancing our understanding of host immunity, positioning him as a leader in addressing the pressing challenges of drug-resistant infections. |
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Stanley N. Cohen Biomedical Research AwardSamuel Bellet Professor of Cardiology The Cohen Award was established in honor of Dr. Stanley N. Cohen, a 1960 Penn School of Medicine alumnus whose contributions launched a new era in biological research technology. The award recognizes achievement in the broad field of biomedical research. Dr. Zoltan Arany is a renowned physician-scientist recognized internationally for his transformative research in cardiovascular metabolism, which has profoundly advanced our understanding of diseases ranging from peripartum cardiomyopathy to insulin resistance. His innovative approach, combining basic mechanistic studies with cutting-edge methodologies, has not only unveiled paradigm-shifting insights into cardiometabolic physiology but also established him as a leader in the field with significant implications for novel diagnostics and therapeutics. |
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Samuel Martin Health Evaluation Sciences Research AwardProfessor of Medicine: General Internal Medicine Established in 1996 to honor the late Dr. Samuel P. Martin, III, Executive Director of the Leonard Davis institute of Health Economics and Chair of the Health Care Systems Unit of the Wharton School, the Martin Award is granted to a member of the School of Medicine faculty for a body of work with an emphasis on health services research. Dr. Marilyn Schapira is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in medical decision making, whose innovative research has advanced the methods and practices essential to support patients in making informed and value-aligned medical decisions. Through her development of a validated measure of health numeracy and decision aids designed for use in the clinical setting, she has made substantial contributions to both health services research and the improvement of evidence-based and patient-centered care. |
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William Osler Patient Oriented Research AwardProfessor of Pediatrics: Oncology Established in 1996 to honor Dr. Osler, a “Father of Clinical Medicine” who, in the 1880s at the School of Medicine, revolutionized clinical teaching research, the Martin Award recognizes achievement for research in which an investigator directly interacts with human subjects. Dr. Yaël Mossé is a distinguished physician-scientist whose groundbreaking research on ALK oncogene mutations has transformed the landscape of pediatric oncology, directly enhancing the treatment and outcomes for children with neuroblastoma and other solid tumors. Her work harnessing targeted protein degradation approaches will directly target five essential oncoproteins that drive the growth of childhood solid tumors. As the leader of the Neuroblastoma Developmental Therapeutics Program at CHOP, she fosters collaboration across disciplines to translate genomic discoveries into clinical practice, providing hope and innovative therapies for vulnerable patients from around the world. |
Teaching Awards
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Leonard Berwick Memorial Teaching AwardAssociate Professor of Psychiatry The Berwick Award was established in 1981 as a memorial to Leonard Berwick by his family and the Department of Pathology. It recognizes “a member of the medical faculty who in his or her teaching effectively fuses basic science and clinical medicine.” It is intended that this award recognize persons who are outstanding teachers, particularly among younger faculty. Dr. Daniel Wolf is dedicated to teaching and mentoring trainees in the care of individuals with psychotic disorders. As director of the Clinical Neurosciences Training program, head of the Laboratory for Motivation in Psychiatry, and associate director of the psychosis T32 training program, he expertly integrates basic neuroscience research with clinical practice, fostering the development of future leaders in the field. |
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Robert Dunning Dripps Memorial Award for Excellence in Graduate Medical EducationProfessor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine The Dunning Dripps Award was established by the Department of Anesthesia in 1984. As a pioneer in the specialty of anesthesia and chair of the department from 1943 to 1972, Dr. Dunning Dripps was instrumental in the training of more than 300 residents and fellows, many of whom went on to chair other departments. This award is to recognize excellence as an educator of residents and fellows in clinical care, research, teaching, or administration. Dr. Zubair Baloch has made remarkable contributions to the fields of endocrine and head and neck pathology, authoring over 300 peer-reviewed publications and serving in a variety of editorial roles. His dedication to education is exemplified by his recent induction into the University of Pennsylvania Academy of Master Clinicians and numerous accolades, including the University of Pennsylvania Peter Nowell, Kevin Salhany and Best Graduate Student educator awards and service as president of the American Society for Clinical Pathology, which has awarded him the Best Educator Award, the Arthur Purdy Stout Lectureship Award, and the ASCP President’s Service Award. |
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Jane M. Glick Graduate Student Teaching AwardProfessor of Pharmacology The Glick Award was established in 2009 by the Glick family in remembrance of Jane Glick and her dedication to the Biomedical Graduate Studies (BGS) programs. Dr. Jeffrey Field’s leadership in the Fundamentals of Pharmacology course has been essential in ensuring that students benefit from the latest advancements in therapeutics, demonstrating his commitment to educational excellence. His innovative teaching style and dedication are routinely lauded by his students and reflect the values that Jane Glick embodied and championed. |
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Michael P. Nusbaum Graduate Student Mentoring AwardAssistant Professor of Radiation Oncology The Nusbaum Award was established in 2017 to honor Mikey Nusbaum as he stepped down from his role of BGS Director. Mentors embody the skills, experience, and wisdom essential to success in science; they serve as models for how one conducts his or her life in balance with a demanding career; and certain faculty – such as Mikey – play pivotal roles in guiding students in reaching their scholarly potential. All BGS faculty are eligible for this award, which recognizes excellence in graduate (PhD) mentoring. Dr. Crystal Conn has made substantial contributions to mentoring that have made a great impact on their students since they have been at Penn. Dr. Conn’s dedication to being a role model for training advocacy, inclusivity, and mentoring students to reach their scholarly potential exemplifies the type of scientist and mentor that Mikey Nusbaum represents |
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Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Distinguished TeachingProfessor of Medical Informatics in Epidemiology Associate Professor of Medicine: Sleep Medicine The Lindback Award was established in 1961 with the help of the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation to recognize excellence in teaching. Awards are granted each year for distinguished teaching in health and non-health areas. Drs. John Holmes and Ilene Rosen's Lindback Awards highlight their extraordinary commitment to education and the transformative impact they have had on the intellectual and personal development of their students. This honor reflects not only their exceptional teaching prowess but also their inspiring dedication to nurturing a dynamic and engaging learning community at Penn. |
Sincerely,
Jonathan A. Epstein, MD