Congratulations, 2026 UW Department of Ob-Gyn award winners!
On June 18, 2026, the UW Department of Ob-Gyn held its annual awards ceremony, recognizing educational, research and administrative accomplishments throughout the year.
Years of Service
Five Years:
- Jasmin Barthel, Physician Assistant
- Michael Beninati, Assistant Professor (CHS)
- Emma Blazel, Medical Program Assistant
- Cheryl Casey’Grant, Outreach Specialist
- Abigail Cutler, Assistant Professor (CHS)
- Natalie Duerst, Medical Program Assistant
- Dylan Kittell, Graduate Medical Education Program Manager
- Camille Ladanyi, Assistant Professor (CHS)
- Fernanda Leyva Jaimes, Research Specialist
- Jamie Reetz, Administrative Specialist
- Lisa Scott, Post-Award Research Finance Manager
- Janelle Sobecki, Assistant Professor (CHS)
- Ariel Sorenson, Graduate Medical Education Program Manager
10 Years:
- Kara Hoppe, Professor (CHS)
- Katherine Sampene, Clinical Associate Professor
15 Years:
- Laura Kwitek, Nurse Practitioner
- Ryan McDonald, Clinical Professor
- J. Igor Iruretagoyena, Professor (CHS)
- Eliza Bennett, Clinical Professor
20 Years:
- Joanne Rash, Physician Assistant
- Stephen Rose, Professor (CHS)
- Claire Wendland, Professor
25 Years:
- David Kushner, Professor
- Jing Zheng, Professor
30 Years:
- Ellen Hartenbach, Professor
INAUGURAL KATIE O’BRIEN KINDNESS AWARD
Recipients: Michelle Lucey; Julia Reeves, MPH
This award goes to someone who is part of the Department of Ob/Gyn who demonstrates exceptional compassion and kindness for the LGBTQ+ community, shows a strong commitment to healthcare and advocacy for vulnerable or marginalized patients/community, and creates an inclusive and affirming environment for patients and colleagues. This award serves not only as a tribute to Katie’s life and work, but also as a lasting reminder of the values she lived every day and an inspiration for all of us to carryforward her legacy of empathy, advocacy, and humanity in medicine.
MEDICAL STUDENT AWARDS
DR. SAMUEL G. PERLSON SCHOLARSHIP – Marina Brendel, MD; Obiageli Oniah, MD; Emma Patch, MD
This award goes out to one or more fourth year medical students planning to pursue a career in Ob-Gyn who have demonstrated outstanding abilities as a scholar and outstanding humanistic qualities.
T.A. LEONARD AWARD – Sakar Gupta
The T.A. Leonard Award is given to one or more medical students in recognition of exemplary performance on their third year Ob-Gyn rotation.
MEDICAL STUDENT EDUCATOR AWARD FOR RESIDENT TEACHING – Emily Dorian, MD, MPH; Alma Farooque, MD
This award is given to an Obstetrics and Gynecology resident, selected by 3rd and 4th year medical students, who exhibits a high interest in teaching, actively involves students in patient care, teaches at an appropriate level, is respectful, approachable, honest, and is a great role model.
RESIDENCY PROGRAM AWARDS
CHIEF RESIDENT RECOGNITION – Jeannette Larson, MD (Administrative Chief Resident); Rusha Bajpai, MD (Administrative Chief Resident); Christina Dudley, MD (Education Chief Resident); Nicolette Codispoti, MD, MS, MPH (Quality Improvement Chief Resident)
For service as chief residents, academic year 2025-26.
UW HEALTH INTERDISCIPLINARY GLOBAL HEALTH TRACK RECOGNITION – Aaditi Naik, MD
Given to a graduating resident upon the completion of the Global Health Track.
UW HEALTH RURAL TRAINING TRACK RECOGNITION – Kaitlyn Anderholm, MD
Given to a graduating resident upon the completion of the Rural Training Track.
BEN M. PECKHAM AWARD – Aaditi Naik, MD
Awarded to a senior resident for excellence in the teaching and clinical practice of Ob-Gyn, as voted by the residents.
RESIDENT CREOG AWARD – Jeannette Larson, MD
Awarded for the highest exam score on the annual CREOG In-Training Examination.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF GYNECOLOGIC LAPAROSCOPISTS (AAGL) AWARD – Alma Farooque, MD
Given to a PGY-3 resident with special excellence in endoscopic procedures.
AMERICAN UROGYNECOLOGIC SOCIETY (AUGS) AWARD – Camila Ochoa, MD
Awarded to a PGY-3 resident who demonstrates a commitment to the care of women with pelvic floor disorders and to incorporating quality of life improvement into clinical care of patients.
SOCIETY FOR ACADEMIC SPECIALISTS IN GENERAL OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY (SASGOG) AWARD – Aaditi Naik, MD
Awarded to a PGY-4 who has distinguished themselves academically and demonstrates an interest in a career as an Academic Specialist.
SOCIETY OF GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY (SGO) AWARD – Nicolette Codispoti, MD, MS, MPH
Awarded to a PGY-3 who best exemplifies the qualities of the mission and vision of SGO.
SOCIETY FOR MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE (SMFM) AWARD – Michelle DeMeo, MD
Awarded to the PGY-2 resident who best exemplifies the qualities of the vision of the SMFM to improve pregnancy and perinatal outcomes.
SOCIETY FOR REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY AND INFERTILITY (SREI) RESIDENT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY AND INFERTILITY – Emily Chiu, MD, PhD
Awarded to a PGY-3 resident who demonstrates commitment and excellence caring for women in the field of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, and shows a special interest, dedication, and commitment to learning in the field of human reproduction.
BEST CONSULTING RESIDENT PHYSICIAN AWARD – Jeannette Larson, MD
Awarded to a PGY 2, 3 or 4 who exemplifies significant consulting physician skills.
RYAN PROGRAM RESIDENT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FAMILY PLANNING – Kharmen Bharucha, MD
Awarded to the resident who best exemplifies the dedication to service, training, and education in contraception and abortion that characterizes the Ryan Program.
RESEARCH AWARDS
OUTSTANDING RESEARCH STAFF AWARD – Sharon Blohowiak, MS; Megan Knutson-Sinaise, MS
Recognizes research staff (non-faculty) who administer and support research conduct in Ob-Gyn and have made significant contributions to department research or a faculty lab in the department (clinical, translational, population, or basic science).
BEST JUNIOR FACULTY PAPER AWARD – Leigh Senderowicz, ScD, MPH
Recognizes an outstanding peer-reviewed research paper authored by a junior faculty member in the Department of Ob-Gyn.
OUTSTANDING MEDICAL STUDENT RESEARCH AWARD – Camille Phillips, MD; Elizabeth Tressler
Celebrates medical students who have demonstrated exceptional promise and achievement in research during their summer experience, contributing meaningfully to the advancement of women’s health.
CLINICAL FELLOW AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING RESEARCH – Jacqueline Powell, MD
Recognizes a non-dissertating clinical fellow in either Gynecologic Oncology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, or Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery whose research has made a significant impact in clinical, translational, or population health within the field of Ob-Gyn.
DOUGLAS W. LAUBE BEST TRAINEE PAPER AWARD – Logan Keding, PhD
For the best peer-reviewed paper by a graduate student dissertator or medical fellow.
ROLAND K. MEYER, PhD GRADUATE TRAINEE AWARD – Mayra Betancourt Ponce, PhD
Awarded to the graduate student dissertator showing the most scientific productivity and scholarly activity.
CHESTER B. MARTIN, MD, GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM MENTORSHIP AWARD – Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS
Awarded to faculty or staff that has had the most impact on graduate student degree-related training.
RAJA & NUMAN AL-NIAIMI AWARD – Nicolette Codispoti, MD, MS, MPH
Awarded to the best surgical article published.
PHILLIP R. HAMILTON III, MD RESIDENT RESEARCH AWARD – Jeannette Larson, MD
Awarded to the senior residents demonstrating the best effort in research.
RESEARCH HONORABLE MENTIONS – Lindsay Cannon, MPH, MSW; Emma Wathen
DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AWARDS
OB-GYN ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF RISING STAR AWARD – Rob Cramer; Megan Tickner-Young
In recognition of a staff member who has been with the department 3 years or less who is emerging as a leader and whose record reflects ongoing and exceptional growth in contribution to the department mission.
JENNIFER STEVENS AWARD IN OB-GYN STAFF LEADERSHIP – Greg Erickson
In recognition of staff who display exemplary leadership skills, positive influence on colleagues, and an ability to affect change in support of the department’s mission and vision.
OB-GYN ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF EXCELLENCE AWARD – Jacquelyn Askins; Erin Mairs
In recognition of outstanding staff who routinely and regularly exemplify the mission of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology through excellent performance and customer service.
ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDER AWARDS
APP/CNM EXCELLENCE AWARD – Kelly Pappas, NP; Maureen Sheetz, MS, WHNP-BC, APNP
This award recognizes outstanding PA, NP, or CNM who routinely and regularly exemplifies the mission of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
APP/CNM UNSUNG HERO AWARD – Sarah Mess, CNM, IBCLC
This award recognizes an outstanding PA, NP, or CNM whose contributions often go unrecognized within the organization. Their remarkable acts of compassion, perseverance, and selflessness have a significant impact on patients, team members, and others with whom they work.
SENIOR RESIDENT FACULTY RECOGNITION AWARDS
DOLORES A. BUCHLER AWARD – Katherine Sampene, MD
For excellence in instruction at the senior resident level.
KARL A. RUDAT AWARD – Camille Ladanyi, MD
For excellence in surgical teaching at the senior resident level.
KIMBERLEY J. MILLER-THORESON COMPASSIONATE COLLEAGUE AWARD – Abigail Cutler, MD, MPH
For demonstrating the traits of Dr. Miller-Thoreson showing respect, compassion, dedication and unending support towards their colleagues and trainees.
FACULTY & FELLOW RECOGNITION AWARDS
LAUREL W. RICE OUTSTANDING FELLOW EDUCATOR AWARD – Rachel Mojdehbakhsh, MD, MS
Given to one fellow for excellence in resident education.
ST. MARY’S ADJUNCT FACULTY EDUCATOR AWARD – John Ester, MD
Selected by the residents for excellence in resident education.
MERITER ADJUNCT FACULTY EDUCATOR AWARD – Laura Berghahn, MD (Associated Physicians, LLC)
Selected by the residents for excellence in resident education.
SOCIETY FOR ACADEMIC SPECIALISTS IN GENERAL OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY (SASGOG) AWARD – Katie O’Brien, MD
National faculty award for excellence in clinical care of women, mentorship and career development of academic specialists, and research/scholarship in general obstetrics and gynecology.
SABINE DROSTE AWARD – Abigail Nelezen, MD, MS
The Sabine Droste Award is selected by the junior residents for a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in instruction at the junior resident level.
ELLEN HARTENBACH AWARD – Abigail Nelezen, MD, MS
Selected by the residents and given annually to the faculty member who has made the greatest contribution in simulation education.
CREOG FACULTY AWARD – Katie O’Brien, MD
National faculty award for excellence in resident education.
APGO EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD – Bridget Kelly, MD
Awarded to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in teaching, with an emphasis on undergraduate medical education.
LUIS “BEN” CURET AWARD IN OB-GYN EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE – Abigail Cutler, MD, MPH
This award honors one individual who demonstrates a true passion for education. This awardee is selected by colleagues and recognizes one who exhibits compassion, patience, and respect for all learners and goes above and beyond expectations to create a positive educational experience within the discipline of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
APGO HUMANISM IN MEDICINE TEACHING AWARD – Laura Jacques, MD
For demonstrating and fostering the compassionate, respectful, and empathetic treatment of learners, health care teams, patients, and families.