The Department of Neurology's faculty and APPs wrapped up the 2024-2025 academic year on August 4 with their annual year-end meeting. As part of the celebration, four award categories were established with nominations asked of faculty, APPs, leadership and administration. We are excited to announce the 24-25 nominees and awardees (in bold) below.
Clinical Excellence Award
The Clinical Excellence Award recognizes clinicians who go above and beyond their contractual duties to deliver exceptional care or introduce innovations with meaningful impact, including at the national level.
Nominees should demonstrate one or more of the following through specific examples:
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Leadership in clinical practice, such as guiding multidisciplinary teams, contributing to clinical governance, or mentoring junior staff and trainees in ways that enhance clinical standards.
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Patient-centered innovation, including the creation of patient education tools that improve health literacy or the implementation of shared decision-making models that empower patients.
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Sustainability and efficiency, such as initiatives that reduce waste, improve resource utilization, or promote environmentally sustainable healthcare delivery.
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Recognition and impact, including national or international acknowledgment through publications, awards, or invited talks, or evidence that their innovations have been adopted by other institutions.
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Resilience and adaptability, demonstrated by exceptional performance during crises (e.g., natural disasters or pandemics) or the rapid adaptation of services to meet emerging clinical needs.
2024-25 Nominees
- Sandy Cobb, NP
- Amanda Davidson, DNP, ACNP-BC
- Rod Radtke, MD
- Diana Barden, NP
- Shreyansh Shah, MD
- Hilary Yu, NP
Excellence in Research Award
The Excellence in Research Award recognizes faculty who demonstrate exceptional scientific rigor, innovation, and sustained contributions to research that advance our understanding of health, disease, and healthcare delivery. We encourage nominations that highlight how individuals have made meaningful and lasting contributions to the scientific and academic community.
Nominees should exemplify one or more of the following through specific examples:
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Securing competitive external funding to support impactful research.
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Recognition by peers, such as honors, invited presentations, or leadership roles in scientific communities.
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Interdisciplinary collaboration that contributes to solving complex problems across fields.
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Mentorship of students, trainees, or junior faculty to build research capacity and foster future leaders.
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Ethical and responsible research conduct, promoting integrity, transparency, and adherence to the highest scholarly standards.
2024-25 Nominees
- Brian Mac Grory, MBBCh, BAO
- Birgit Frauscher, MD, PhD
- Wayne Feng, MD
Excellence in PRIDE (Professionalism, Inclusion, Diversity, Empowerment, and Teamwork) Award
The Excellence in PRIDE Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and diverse environment in healthcare education, research, clinical practice, or institutional leadership. Honorees contribute to meaningful and measurable improvements in representation, access, cultural humility, and belonging. The award celebrates a wide range of contributions that help create a more inclusive and equitable community.
Nominees should exemplify one or more of the following through specific examples:
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Leading or supporting inclusive programs.
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Advocating for systemic change.
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Addressing inequities in healthcare or education.
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Advancing inclusive research, scholarship, or curriculum development.
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Promoting teamwork through inclusive, collaborative partnerships.
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Fostering environments where all voices are valued and heard.
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Contributing to initiatives with a collective impact across disciplines or institutions.
2024-25 Nominees
- Mary Guhwe, NP
- Gabriel Torrealba-Acosta, MD
- Erika Cummings, PA-C
Excellence in Teaching Award
Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes educators who exemplify outstanding teaching, foster inclusive and dynamic learning environments, and contribute meaningfully to the development of competent, compassionate, and ethical clinicians. We welcome nominations that showcase how educators are shaping the future of healthcare through their teaching and mentorship.
Nominees should exemplify one or more of the following through specific examples:
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Exceptional teaching effectiveness, including clear communication, learner-centered methods, and consistently constructive student feedback.
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Innovation in curriculum design, such as integrating evidence-based strategies, technology, or interprofessional approaches.
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Student engagement and mentorship, fostering inclusive, supportive environments that promote academic and professional growth.
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Professionalism and ethics, modeling integrity and cultural humility in both classroom and clinical settings.
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Educational scholarship, including research, presentations, or publications that advance teaching and learning.
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Impact on student outcomes, such as clinical readiness, career development, or long-term success.
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Interprofessional collaboration and institutional service, including curriculum development, educational leadership, or contributions to teaching excellence initiatives.
2024-25 Nominees
- Katie Moore, MD, MSc
- Joel Morgenlander, MD
- Jordan Mayberry, MD