Advanced practice providers (APPs) are an essential part of UT Southwestern’s workforce. More than 1,200 APPs provide care for patients at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital and Zale Lipshy Pavilion, in UTSW clinics, and at partner health organizations including Children’s Health, Parkland Health, and Texas Health Resources. APPs assess, diagnose, treat, and manage acute and chronic illnesses while also administering preventive care. UT Southwestern’s growing team includes 1,079 APPs with master’s degrees and 149 who have also earned a Ph.D., D.N.P., or D.N.A.P. Altogether, they’re responsible for more than 700,000 patient encounters annually.

In recognition of National Advanced Practice Provider Week (Sept. 21-25), UTSW hosted a series of appreciation events highlighted by a Sept. 24 ceremony honoring standouts from the five APP professional groups: clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.

“Through their advanced practice skills, leadership, and unwavering focus on patients and families, APPs are essential to advancing access, quality, innovation, and excellence across our organization,” said Karah Sickler, D.N.P., M.H.A., APRN, AGACNP-BC, Associate Vice President and Chief Advanced Practice Officer. “It is a privilege to serve alongside this exceptional community and to champion the vital role APPs play in shaping the future of healthcare.”

The annual UT Southwestern APP Outstanding Achievement Awards recognize excellence in clinical practice, leadership, scholarship, teaching, and service. Honorees were selected through a rigorous review process led by UTSW’s APP Recognition Committee. Additionally, one faculty member was named the 2026 APP CHAMPion.

Learn more about these exceptional team members below:

Outstanding APP in Ambulatory Clinical Practice

This award honors an APP in the ambulatory setting who consistently demonstrates excellence in the management of acute and chronic conditions, preventive care, and patient education. Recipients are committed to evidence-based practice and earn exceptional recognition from patients, families, and peers.

Michael Levy, M.S.N., APRN, ACNP-BC, CNRN

Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center

Mr. Levy has played a vital role in UTSW neurosurgical oncology care for more than 30 years.

He consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication to meeting patients’ needs, investing time reviewing imaging studies, and using skull models to help patients and families understand complex neurosurgical conditions and treatment options. Mr. Levy routinely makes himself available outside of scheduled clinic hours, seeing patients on administrative days and following up over weekends to address concerns, prevent complications, and help patients avoid unnecessary hospitalizations.

His influence extends beyond the clinic. Mr. Levy plays an integral role in multidisciplinary tumor board conferences and serves on the UTSW Way Committee to advance a culture of clinical excellence. He also was the inaugural Chair of the APP Committee for the Texas Association of Neurological Surgeons and is serving his fourth year in this position. Through these many functions, he has helped expand APP engagement, professional development, and educational opportunities across Texas.

Mr. Levy’s patient satisfaction scores consistently exceed 99%, and families have invited him to speak at celebration of life events that honor loved ones lost to brain tumors, a testament to the trust and meaningful relationships he builds. Colleagues also describe him as a trusted mentor, educator, and generous resource.

“He has the rare combination of empathy and aptitude that is critical to becoming a truly outstanding provider,” one teammate said.

Through decades of service, expertise, and mentorship, Mr. Levy has made a lasting impact on patients, colleagues, and advancement of the APP practice.

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Outstanding APP in Inpatient Clinical Practice

This award recognizes an APP who consistently demonstrates excellence in the care of acutely ill and medically complex patients, fosters strong engagement with patients and families, and exemplifies a collaborative, team-based approach to practice. Recipients are committed to evidence-based care and earn exceptional appreciation from patients, families, and colleagues.

Shalini Maharaj, M.P.A.S., PA-C

Department of Psychiatry

Ms. Maharaj is an inpatient clinical leader in Psychiatry, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues. For more than 10 years, she has been an integral member of the Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) team, making a profound and lasting impact on patients, families, and fellow healthcare professionals.

Ms. Maharaj’s many contributions have advanced the safety, quality, and effectiveness of the ECT program at Clements University Hospital, which treats patients with severe, medication-resistant behavioral health conditions. Known for her clinical judgment, attention to detail, and ability to anticipate both medical and psychiatric concerns, she has established a standard of excellence in ECT clearance evaluations – testing often ordered by psychiatrists for patients with multiple medical comorbidities. Her commitment to innovation led to the development of customized cognitive assessment tools for the ECT population, work she presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for ECT and Neurostimulation (ISEN).

Beyond her clinical leadership, Ms. Maharaj builds trust with patients and their families through empathy, accessibility, and respect, often taking additional time to answer questions, provide reassurance, and help individuals navigate complex circumstances. She has a demonstrated ability to guide complex conversations and help patients and families understand and actively participate in care decisions.

Widely regarded as a valued resource for the ECT team and the wider UTSW APP community, Ms. Maharaj has consistently elevated the quality of care provided at UT Southwestern.

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Outstanding APP in Leadership

This honor recognizes a clinician who demonstrates exceptional leadership through service, collaboration, communication, innovation, and a commitment to advancing others.

Isuri “Sonali” Weerasinghe, M.P.H., M.P.A.S., PA-C

Neurology Critical Care

As President of the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants (TAPA) from 2025 to 2026, Ms. Weerasinghe has championed professional development, mentorship, and advocacy initiatives benefiting PAs and PA students statewide. She strengthened communication between TAPA and regional PA organizations through quarterly meetings, participated in white coat ceremonies and graduations across Texas, and helped establish a new clinical preceptor site for PA students. She also serves as a mentor and preceptor for current and aspiring PA students.

A strong advocate for patients and the profession, Ms. Weerasinghe has engaged with state and federal policymakers and regulatory bodies on issues that include rural healthcare access, mental health prescribing authority, and care for children with autism. She has also developed educational resources that empower PAs to become effective advocates.

Nationally, Ms. Weerasinghe is a Texas Delegate to the American Academy of Physician Associates House of Delegates, where she has contributed to resolutions advancing the PA practice and helped modernize the profession’s oath to reflect contemporary clinical practice.

At UT Southwestern, Ms. Weerasinghe serves on the APP Wellness Committee and as a departmental Wellness Ambassador, fostering engagement, connection, and awareness of wellness resources among colleagues. Through her leadership and service, she has advanced the PA profession, helped develop future clinicians, and strengthened the communities served by APPs.

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Outstanding APP in Scholarly Endeavors

This award honors an APP who advances patient care and professional practice through research, quality improvement, and evidence-based initiatives while contributing to the broader profession through presentations, publications, and collaboration.

Snoben Kuruvila, D.M.S., M.S.P.A.S., PA-C

Department of Psychiatry, Jha Lab

Dr. Kuruvila is recognized for advancing evidence-based psychiatric care through research, scholarship, education, and mentorship. As Clinical Trials Unit Lead at the Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care from 2024 to 2026, and later through his work in the lab of Manish K. Jha, M.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UTSW, he guided research operations, regulatory compliance, protocol development, and team mentorship.

His research has focused on complex and emerging areas of psychiatric care, including bipolar depression, substance-use disorders, ketamine and other novel therapeutics, transcranial magnetic stimulation, psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, and suicide prevention.

Dr. Kuruvila has shared his findings through presentations at national and regional conferences, including Psych Congress and the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology. His scholarly contributions include first authorship of a 2026 review examining anxiety and stimulant-use disorders and co-authorship of peer-reviewed studies evaluating treatments for methamphetamine-use disorder.

Beyond his research accomplishments, Dr. Kuruvila is passionate about developing future clinicians through his work as a clinical preceptor and site director for PA students. In 2025, he was honored with the Diana and Richard C. Strauss Service Excellence Award in recognition of his leadership, service, and commitment to improvement.

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Outstanding APP in Professional and Community Service

This award recognizes an APP who demonstrates leadership in professional and community service, extending their impact beyond clinical responsibilities to advance the profession, improve healthcare access, and positively influence patients, colleagues, and the community. Recipients exemplify outstanding service and leadership of community engagement initiatives.

Erica Knoll, M.P.A.S., PA-C

Health System Advanced Practice Provider Administration

Ms. Knoll is honored for her compassionate care and service in the Pediatric Outpatient General Neurology and Neuromuscular Disorders Clinic. Known for her deep knowledge of pediatric neurology, she provides outstanding care for children with complex neurological and neuromuscular conditions while serving as a valued resource for patients, families, and colleagues.

Ms. Knoll also frequently serves as a preceptor for learners and actively participates in clinical research. She is the primary author of multiple posters, including work presented at the Carrell Krusen Neuromuscular Symposium, and has contributed publications to the Pediatric Society of Greater Dallas. She is also a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine.

Through her involvement with the Muscular Dystrophy Association Summer Camp and the Children’s Health Neuromuscular Workshop, Ms. Knoll has served as medical staff member, educator, speaker, and organizer, supporting patients and families while fostering community engagement and education. In addition, she teaches within the UT Southwestern Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program and participates in Neuromuscular Family Workshops, sharing her expertise in genetic and neuromuscular disorders with future healthcare professionals.

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Outstanding APP in Teaching

This award honors an APP who is a respectful, professional, and supportive communicator with learners, particularly through precepting APP students, delivering clinical education, and onboarding new APP colleagues.

Ampili Jagan, D.N.P., APRN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology

Dr. Jagan excels as a clinician on the diabetes service and as a dedicated educator for students, nursing staff, APPs, and physician colleagues.

She has delivered numerous presentations at UTSW and at regional and national conferences, translating complex, evidence-based concepts into practical clinical guidance that learners can immediately apply to patient care. She also serves as a preceptor for nurse practitioner students and a mentor to newly hired APPs, providing individualized guidance that builds confidence while strengthening advanced assessment skills, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based management of complex patient scenarios.

As Principal Lead for the Innovative Strategies to Improve Inpatient Hypoglycemia Management Adherence Project (2024-25), Dr. Jagan expanded her educational impact to frontline nursing staff, helping them move beyond protocol adherence to understand the clinical reasoning behind hypoglycemia prevention and management. By fostering deeper clinical understanding, she empowered nurses to make informed decisions that contributed to improved patient outcomes.

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2026 APP CHAMPion of the Year

An APP CHAMPion is a UTSW faculty or staff member who influences, supports, mentors, and empowers APPs. These individuals foster collaboration, facilitate APP integration within care teams, advocate for the APP role, and champion APPs as essential members of the healthcare team.

Benjamin Greenberg, M.D.

Department of Neurology

For more than 16 years, Dr. Greenberg has championed APP integration within the Department of Neurology, fostering a culture of mutual respect, shared decision-making, and interdisciplinary care.

Dr. Greenberg, Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics, a Distinguished Teaching Professor, and Vice Chair of Clinical and Translational Research in the Department of Neurology, consistently empowers APPs to practice all the skills they are licensed to use, supports their professional development, and elevates their contributions as clinicians, educators, researchers, and leaders. His dedication has created opportunities for APP-led scholarship, research, and innovative care delivery models while enhancing patient access and improving clinical outcomes. Through his leadership, APPs have emerged not only as trusted clinical partners but also as influential contributors to the Department’s academic and clinical missions.

One colleague shared, “He made it clear that APPs were valued members of the clinical team and consistently treated us as trusted partners in patient care. His mentorship and advocacy have empowered APPs to grow as clinicians, scholars, educators, and leaders.”