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Celebration snapshots: Leaders in Clinical Excellence Awards 2019

Published on: By: Staff Reports

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For friends and family of the winners, the evening was camera-ready.
Dr. DuWayne Willett and his granddaughter, Eva Willett, enjoy the early evening reception outdoors on McDermott Plaza.

It was an afternoon of honors and an evening of celebration as the campus community gathered for the Leaders in Clinical Excellence Awards ceremony, capped with a picture-perfect reception outside on McDermott Plaza.

Select an image to begin the slideshow.

The recipients of the 2019 Leaders in Clinical Excellence Awards were honored at a special campuswide celebration in Gooch Auditorium. The honorees (from left to right): Drs. Daniel Costa, Dale Okorodudu, Aditya Bagrodia, James Brugarolas (representing the Kidney Caner Program), Hicham Ibrahim (representing the Outpatient Psychiatry Multi-Specialty Program), David Fetzer, Robert Timmerman (Watson Award winner), Ashley Hickman Zink, Jaclyn Albin, Heidi Roman, DuWayne Willett, Hugh McClung, and Pamela Okada. Not pictured: Dr. Ponciano Cruz.
Jaclyn Albin, upon receiving a Rising Star Award, joked that “This feels a little like the Academic Medicine Oscars.”
Dr. W. P. Andrew Lee presented the Rising Star Awards to four recipients, including Dr. Albin.
For friends and family of the winners, the evening was camera-ready.
Dr. Aditya Bagrodia watches the ceremony from the audience.
Dr. Bagrodia gives thanks to his team after receiving his Rising Star award.
Trying to capture the perfect moment
Dr. Ponciano Cruz jokingly suggested the Clinical Excellence Awards be unofficially named “The Podolskys” – after UT Southwestern President Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky.
Dr. Cruz, upon receiving the Mentoring Award, said that 35 years at UT Southwestern have seemed like the blink of an eye.
Dr. Cruz offers Dr. Podolsky a thank-you handshake.
Dr. W. P. Andrew Lee presented awards for the Rising Star and Mentoring Award categories.
Dr. David Fetzer awaits his turn on stage.
Dr. Fetzer thanked those who had supported him even while he has “stirred up dust and stepped on toes.”
The family of Dr. Dale Okorodudu proudly capture video of his acceptance speech.
After receiving a Patient and Family Recognition Award, Dr. Pamela Okada gave moving remarks about how she was supported by her then-chair, Dr. Charles Ginsburg, while she was a young faculty member with five children. At the time, her oldest was diagnosed with a brain tumor. That daughter, now 29, was in the audience that evening.
“They told me I had 60 seconds, so I made some notes,” Dr. Pamela Okada said, dramatically unfurling a roughly 4-foot long parchment scroll.
Dr. John Warner presented awards in the categories of Patient and Family Recognition and Program Development.
Each winner starred in their own video vignette, providing moving moments throughout the evening. (Pictured: Dr. Hugh McClung)
Dr. Hugh McClung was honored with a Patient and Family Recognition Award.
Dr. Ashley Hickman Zink thanked the Faculty Selection Committee for recognizing those who show up every day just to take care of patients.
Dr. Zink’s video vignette plays.
Dr. Daniel Costa (at lectern) gives remarks after receiving his Patient and Family Recognition Award, while Drs. Lee, Warner, and Podolsky watch nearby.
Dr. Daniel Costa said he was honored to see Gooch Auditorium filled with people who care about what they do and who care about the patients they see on a regular basis.
Dr. James Brugarolas accepts a Program Development Award on behalf of the Kidney Cancer Program, and asks everyone associated with the Program to stand for a round of applause.
Dr. Hicham Ibrahim accepts a Program Development Award on behalf of the Outpatient Psychiatry Multi-Specialty Program. He asks team members to stand and be recognized.
Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky presents Dr. Heidi Roman with the President’s Award for Diversity and Humanism in Clinical Care.
Dr. W. P. Andrew Lee (left) presents a Rising Star Award to Dr. Dale Okorodudu.
Dr. Heidi Roman recognized the team at the Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care Excellence, and said that each day, these dedicated and skilled child health advocates give their all to support children and each other in a way unlike any group she has ever experienced.
Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky presented the President’s Award for Diversity and Humanism in Clinical Care, the Institutional Service Award, and the Watson Award.
The video for Dr. Barry Schwarz plays.
Dr. Barry Schwarz told the audience that half of his Institutional Service Award should go to his mentors, faculty, colleagues, and staff; the other half, he dedicated to his wife, Mary Beth.
Dr. DuWayne Willett, upon receiving his Institutional Service Award, said he appreciates the amazing people who he gets to work with at UTSW. Their drive for daily excellence, he said, is humbling.
Dr. Robert Timmerman (right) receives the prestigious Patricia and William L Watson Jr., Award for Excellence in Clinical Care from Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky.
Dr. Robert Timmerman said UT Southwestern is an amazing employment destination and the ultimate incubator.
The Watson Award, UTSW’s highest honor for clinical excellence, is given annually to a faculty physician who exemplifies excellence in patient care and is a leader in advancing clinical innovations.
Dr. DuWayne Willett and his granddaughter, Eva Willett, enjoy the early evening reception outdoors on McDermott Plaza.
After the awards ceremony, recipients, friends, family and UT Southwestern community members rubbed elbows at an outdoor reception on McDermott Plaza, on a perfect autumn evening.
Dr. DuWayne Willett with his wife, Lauren Willett
Dr. W. P. Andrew Lee with Dr. Hak Choy take in a perfect autumn evening.
Dr. Robert Timmerman, 2019 Watson Award recipient, mingles on the plaza with Nurse Practitioner Terri Kelley-Griffis.
Third-year medical student Darren Imphean plays with the M-Cats, who provided the evening’s swinging soundtrack. Fun fact: Just before the M-Cats’ gig, Mr. Imphean delivered his first baby as a med student.
Dr. Aditya Bagrodia gets a congratulatory hug.
Dr. Aditya Bagrodia with his wife, Mona Bagrodia, sister-in-law Mridula Watt, and children Lalit (left) and Avi Bagrodia.
Dr. Ashley Hickman Zink with her husband, Christopher Zink
Priya Dandekar (Surgical Services AVP), Chief Nurse Executive Susan Hernandez, and Shelley Brown (Director of Neuroscience Services) enjoyed the festivities. Ms. Dandekar said learning about the amazing work of all the clinical providers made her especially proud to work at UTSW.
Supporters gather around Dr. David Fetzer (center), from left: Monica Morgan, Kim Pong, Laura Reynolds, and Skye Smola
Dr. John Warner chats with Dr. Ann Lutich.
Dr. Jaclyn Albin entertains her children while catching up with Drs. Sharon Reimold, Robyn Horsager-Boehrer, and Ann Lutich.
Dr. Heidi Roman, recipient of the President’s Award for Diversity and Humanism in Clinical Care, smiling for the cameras along with Dr. Byron Cryer.
Dr. Aditya Bagrodia watches as his children point out his video montage on the monitors on the plaza.
The evening’s soundtrack was provided by the M-Cats, a UT Southwestern community jazz band.
From left: Dr. John Warner, Susan Hernandez, Shelley Brown, and Thea VanderHill
Dr. Jaclyn Albin and her daughter, Junia Albin, share a “cheers” at the reception.
Dr. Hicham Ibrahim and Dr. Ravi Sarode were all smiles.
Photo opp time with Dr. Marc Nivet, Dr. Hugh McClung, and Dr. Mack Mitchell
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