Photo (above): Department of Medicine faculty awards were presented during a ceremony on October 3, 2018. Front row, R to L: Dr. Rashmi Agni, Dr. Alexis Eastman, Dr. Jeremy Smith, Dr. Vincent Cryns. Back row, R to L: Dr. Andrea Schnell, Dr. Tripti Singh, Dr. Ann Schmidt, Dr. Mark Burkard. Not pictured: Dr. Jeniel Nett, Dr. Ahmed Akhter

The 13th annual Department of Medicine faculty dinner and awards ceremony was held on Wednesday, October 3, 2018, at the Monona Terrace Convention Center.

This yearly event allows an opportunity for faculty members to gather, convey a warm welcome to new colleagues, celebrate professional achievements, and distribute departmental honorary awards.

Presiding over the evening was Betsy Trowbridge, MD, clinical professor and interim chair, Department of Medicine. Dr. Trowbridge opened her remarks by describing the strength of the department as being comprised of its hundreds of people – the faculty, staff, and learners who are dedicated to our clinical, research, and medical education missions.

“In the words of Henry Ford, ‘Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success,’” said Dr. Trowbridge. She called on all members to find every opportunity to get to know one another.

“When encounter a colleague in an elevator or hallway who you recognize as being part of our department but who you perhaps haven’t talked with yet, take a moment to introduce yourself. We are a huge group, and the more we build community, the more we will be able to accomplish together.”

During the awards ceremony, Dr. Trowbridge welcomed four new chief residents and 40 new faculty members, recognized 19 faculty promotions occurring in the past year, and presented nine awards for outstanding achievement.

Awardees and promotions are listed below and are summarized in the program (PDF).

2018 Faculty Awards

Graham-Meyer Teaching Award
Awarded to a member of the Medicine faculty who has excelled in educating residents and fellows in an ambulatory setting.

• Jeremy Smith, MD, associate professor (CHS), General Internal Medicine.

Evans-Glassroth Teaching Award
Awarded to a member of the Medicine faculty who has excelled in educating residents and fellows in an acute care setting.

• Tripti Singh, MD, assistant professo (CHS), Nephrology

Schilling-Harkness Teaching Award
Awarded to a member of the Medicine faculty who has excelled in educating medical students.

• Alexis Eastman, MD, clinical assistant professor, Geriatrics and Gerontology

Rankin Research Award
Awarded to a senior member of the Medicine faculty who has made a significant research contribution toward advancing the field of medicine.

• Vincent Cryns, MD, professor and head, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Puestow Research Award
Awarded to a junior member of the Medicine faculty who has made a significant research contribution toward advancing the field of medicine.

• Jeniel Nett, MD, PhD, assistant professor, Infectious Disease

Dickie Research Award
Awarded to a Medicine fellow who has made a significant research contribution toward advancing the field of medicine.

• Ahmed Akhter, MD, instructor (CHS), Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Clinical Excellence Award
Awarded to a Medicine physician who exemplifies characteristics that would lead you to send a loved one to them.

• Andrea Schnell, MD, clinical assistant professor, General Internal Medicine

Mentoring Excellence Award 
Awarded to a member of the Medicine faculty who has excelled in mentoring physicians or physician scientists.

• Ann Schmidt, MD, clinical professor and interim head, General Internal Medicine

Extra Mile Award
Awarded to a UW Health faculty member, outside of the Department of Medicine, who has made significant contributions to the DOM.

• Rashmi Agni, MD, professor (CHS), Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Page-Grossman Professionalism Award 
Awarded to a Medicine faculty member who displays the highest standards of professionalism and compassion in our missions and represents the Department of Medicine with energy, honor and humility.

• Mark E. Burkard, MD, PhD, associate professor, Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care

Faculty Promotions

Tenure Track

• Nasia Safdar, MD, PhD — Professor, Infectious Disease
• Michelle Kimple, PhD — Associate Professor, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
• Joshua Lang, MD, MS — Associate Professor, Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care
• Caitlin Pepperell, MD — Associate Professor, Infectious Disease
• Nathan Sandbo, MD — Associate Professor, Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
• Ryan Westergaard, MD, PhD, MPH — Associate Professor, Infectious Disease

Clinical Health Sciences Track

• Giorgio Gimelli, MD — Professor (CHS), Cardiovascular Medicine
• Daniel Mulkerin, MD — Professor (CHS), Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care
• Tosha Wetterneck, MD, MS — Professor (CHS), General Internal Medicine
• Annie Kelly, MD — Associate Professor (CHS), Cardiovascular Medicine
• Sam Lubner, MD — Associate Professor (CHS), Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care
• Maha Mohamed, MD — Associate Professor (CHS), Nephrology

Clinician-Teacher Track

• John Juozevicius, MD — Clinical Professor, Rheumatology
• Mary Pak, MD — Clinical Professor, General Internal Medicine
• Jessica Bartell, MD, MS — Clinical Associate Professor, General Internal Medicine
• Sujani Kakumanu, MD — Clinical Associate Professor, Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
• Jennifer Passini, MD — Clinical Associate Professor, Hospital Medicine
• Joanna Ruchala, MD — Clinical Associate Professor, General Internal Medicine
• Thomas Shiffler, MD — Clinical Associate Professor, General Internal Medicine