2022 Department of Medicine Clinical Excellence Awards

Physician's white coat embroidered with UW logo and the words Department of Medicine, with a W red enamel pin and stethoscope.

The 2022 Department of Medicine Clinical Excellence Awards, which recognize professional excellence, were announced at the department town hall on Thursday, October 6, 2022.

This year saw a record number of nominations. “It’s a testament to the outstanding faculty and providers that we have in the Department of Medicine,” noted Department Chair and George R. and Elaine Love Professor Lynn Schnapp, MD, before presenting the awards.

Congratulations to all nominees and recipients!

Grossman-Page Professionalism Award

Christie Bartels, MD, MS

Christie Bartels, MD, MS, associate professor and division chief, Rheumatology 

Awarded to a Department of Medicine faculty member who displays the highest standards of professionalism and compassion in our missions, consistently demonstrates ethical conduct in their work and interactions with others, and represents the DOM with energy, honor and humility.

Dr. Bartels’ nomination notes: “She is a consummate professional who leads with humility, integrity, and honesty [and] is respected across the institution for her vision in ambulatory care and her professionalism.”

Outstanding Clinician Award

Lorna Belsky, MD

Lorna Belsky, MD, clinical professor, General Internal Medicine

Awarded to an exemplary Department of Medicine clinician who is recognized by patients and families as a caring and dedicated healthcare provider, and by their peers as having made substantial contributions to the clinical care of patients. They are identified as a role model for residents, students and their faculty colleagues.

Dr. Belsky’s nomination notes: “She is the doctor’s doctor for many UW physicians, [the] epitome of an exemplary internist, and an outstanding diagnostician with exemplary interpersonal skills.”

Clinician Rising Star Award

Amy Jaeger, MD

Amy Jaeger, MD, assistant clinical professor, Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine

Awarded to an exemplary junior member of the Department of Medicine recognized by patients and families as a caring and dedicated healthcare provider, and by their peers as having made substantial contributions to the clinical care of patients. Their clinical experience, service commitment, and professionalism identify them as a role model for residents, students and their faculty colleagues.

Dr. Jaeger’s nomination notes: “[Always] willing to help with a cheerful attitude and positive interactions with patients, she is highly capable on the technical side and has excellent clinical judgement to ensure the right procedure is offered to the right patient.”

Advanced Practice Provider of the Year Award

Monica Zablotney, NP

Monica Zablotney, NP, Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Awarded to a Department of Medicine Advanced Practice Provider who is recognized by patients and families as a caring and dedicated healthcare provider, and by their peers as having made substantial contributions to the clinical care of patients. Their clinical excellence, service commitment and professionalism identify them as a role model.

Ms. Zablotney’s nomination notes: “She is an outstanding APP care provider in the inpatient and now outpatient GI settings […with] an outstanding work ethic and great medical judgement.”

Advancement of Diversity Award (this year in honor of Dr. Molly Carnes)

Angela Byars-Winston, PhD

Angela Byars-Winston, PhD, professor, General Internal Medicine

Awarded to a Department of Medicine faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and service to the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion beyond the scope of their job, area of research, or training.

Dr. Byars-Winston’s nomination notes: “She has committed her career to ensuring an inclusive and equitable learning environment for all learners.”

Quality Improvement Award

Ravi Viswanathan, MD

Ravi Viswanathan, MD, associate professor, Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine

Awarded to a DOM faculty member who has demonstrated commitment and engagement to quality improvement and patient safety as reflected in the principles of optimizing patient care, reducing medical errors, enhancing accountability and stewardship, and continually striving to “do better.”

Dr. Viswanathan’s nomination notes: “He has led a number of initiatives to improve care, enhance communications and ensure coordination among all providers in the division’s allergy clinic.”

Thanks to Nominating Committee

A special thank you to the Nominating Committee members, who carefully reviewed nominations and selected the award recipients:

  • Sarah Ahrens, MD, associate clinical professor, Hospital Medicine
  • Sharon Gehl, MBA, associate department administrator
  • Deepak Gopal, MD, professor, Gastroenterology and Hepatology
  • Lisa Jones, MD, MPH, MMCI, assistant professor, Gasteroenterology and Hepatology
  • Ryan Mattison, MD, associate professor, Hematology, Medical Oncology, and Palliative Care
  • Brenda Muth, NP, Nephrology
  • Nicole Reilly, MD, assistant clinical professor, Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Laurel Romer, MD, clinical professor, General Internal Medicine
  • James Stein, MD, Robert Turell Professor of Cardiovascular Research and vice chair for faculty development, Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Laura Zakowski, MD, professor and vice chair for education, General Internal Medicine

Banner: Department of Medicine. Credit: Clint Thayer/Department of Medicine

Matt Mallum, MFA