Congratulations to winners of the 2024 UW Department of Ob-Gyn awards!

On June 13, 2024, the UW Department of Ob-Gyn held its annual awards ceremony, recognizing educational, research and administrative accomplishments throughout the year.

The ceremony started by celebrating service milestones, including both service in the Department of Ob-Gyn and at the University of Wisconsin or UW Health overall. Service years at UW/UW Health in parentheses:

Five Years:

Sharon Blohowiak, Regulatory Specialist (22)
Laura Bozzuto, Assistant Professor (CHS)
Anastasia Doherty, Certified Nurse Midwife
Jen Ferry, Senior Medical Program Assistant (39)
Amy Godecker, Scientist III (11)
Patricia Grzebielski, Clinical Assistant Professor
Autumn Hayes, Event Coordinator (10)
Jennifer Karnowski, Clinical Associate Professor (6)
Molly Lepic, Clinical Assistant Professor
Janine Rhoades, Assistant Professor (CHS)
Nicole Shapiro, Nurse Practitioner
Shelly Weisheipl, Certified Nurse Midwife

10 Years:

Dobie Giles, Associate Professor (CHS)
Christy Lincicum, Executive Assistant I (15)
Kara Mulligan, Chief Administrative Officer (13)

15 Years:

Krystal Boardman, Nurse Practitioner

20 Years:

Manish Patankar, Professor
Jodi Wagner, Certified Nurse Midwife

25 Years:

Katharina Stewart, Professor (CHS)

MEDICAL STUDENT AWARDS

DR. SAMUEL G. PERLSON SCHOLARSHIP – Annalise Panthofer, MD (ob-gyn residency at Northwestern University)

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 – Krista Brackman

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 – Jeannette Larson, MD

This award is given to a UW-Madison, 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.

WMAA 2024 OUTSTANDING RESIDENT TEACHING AWARD – Alma Farooque, MD

Voted on by all UW SMPH fourth-year medical students for the most exceptional resident teacher in any area from across the entire statewide campus.

RESIDENCY AWARDS

CHIEF RESIDENT RECOGNITION – Alexandra Andes, MD (Administrative Chief Resident), Margaret Harrison, MD (Administrative Chief Resident), India Anderson-Carter, MD (Education Chief Resident)

For service as chief residents, academic year 2023-24.

UW HEALTH INTERDISCIPLINARY GLOBAL HEALTH TRACK RECOGNITION – Awa Sanneh, MD

Given to a graduating resident upon the completion of the Global Health Track.

UW HEALTH RURAL TRAINING TRACK RECOGNITION – Kaley Gyorfi, MD

Given to a graduating resident upon the completion of the Rural Training Track.

RESIDENT CREOG AWARD – Alexandra Andes, MD

Awarded for the highest exam score on the annual CREOG In-Training Examination.

BEN M. PECKHAM AWARD – Margaret Harrison, MD

Awarded to a senior resident for excellence in the teaching and clinical practice of Ob-Gyn, as voted by the residents.

SOCIETY OF GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY (SGO) AWARD – Margaret Williams, MD

Awarded to a PGY-3 who best exemplifies the qualities of the mission and vision of SGO.

SOCIETY FOR ACADEMIC SPECIALISTS IN GENERAL OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY (SASGOG) AWARD – India Anderson-Carter, MD

Awarded to a PGY-4 who has distinguished themselves academically and demonstrates an interest in a career as an Academic Specialist.

AMERICAN UROGYNECOLOGIC SOCIETY (AUGS) AWARD – John Gravelle, MD

Awarded to a PGY3 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 MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE (SMFM) AWARD – Jeannette Larson, 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 (REI) – Carrie Sibbald, MD

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.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF GYNECOLOGIC LAPAROSCOPISTS (AAGL) AWARD – Saule Tamkus, MD

Given to a PGY-3 resident with special excellence in endoscopic procedures.

BEST CONSULTING RESIDENT PHYSICIAN AWARD – Kaley Gyorfi, MD

Awarded to a PGY 2, 3 or 4 who exemplifies significant consulting physician skills.

RESEARCH AWARDS

DOUGLAS W. LAUBE BEST TRAINEE PAPER AWARD – Erin Bailey, MD, MS

For the best peer reviewed paper by a graduate student dissertator or medical fellow.

ROLAND K. MEYER, PhD GRADUATE TRAINEE AWARD – Taryn Valley, MS

Awarded to the graduate student dissertator showing the most scientific productivity and scholarly activity.

PHILLIP R. HAMILTON III, MD RESIDENT RESEARCH AWARD – Awa Sanneh, MD

Awarded to the senior residents demonstrating the best effort in research.

DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AWARDS

OB-GYN SUPPORT STAFF RISING STAR AWARD – Dylan Kittell, BS

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 SUPPORT STAFF LEADERSHIP AWARD – Liz Cavadini; Chelsea Gatica

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 SUPPORT STAFF EXCELLENCE AWARD – Jen Ferry; Swaroop Patra

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 – Emelle Holmes-Drammeh, PA

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 – Anastasia Doherty, CNM

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.

RESIDENT FACULTY RECOGNITION AWARDS

JOHN M. ANDERSON, MD MEMORIAL AWARD – Kristen Sharp, MD

For demonstrating the traits of Dr. Anderson: patience, integrity and compassion in the care of women.

KIMBERLEY J. MILLER-THORESON COMPASSIONATE COLLEAGUE AWARD – Patrice Grzebielski, MD

For demonstrating the traits of Dr. Miller-Thoreson showing respect, compassion, dedication and unending support towards their colleagues and trainees.

DOLORES A. BUCHLER AWARD – Molly Lepic, DO

For excellence in instruction at the senior resident level.

KARL A. RUDAT AWARD – Ashley Jennings, MD

For excellence in surgical teaching at the senior resident level.

FACULTY & FELLOW RECOGNITION AWARDS

RAJA AL-NIAIMI FELLOW AWARD IN SURGICAL EXCELLENCE – Rachel Mojdehbakhsh, MD

Awarded to the Ob-Gyn clinical fellow for the most outstanding surgical article.

LAUREL W. RICE OUTSTANDING FELLOW EDUCATOR AWARD – Matt Wagar, MD

Given to one fellow for excellence in resident education.

ST. MARY’S ADJUNCT FACULTY EDUCATOR AWARD – Dawn Kalin, DO (SSM Health)

Selected by the residents for excellence in resident education.

MERITER ADJUNCT FACULTY EDUCATOR AWARD – Fred Melius, MD (Physicians for Women)

Selected by the residents for excellence in resident education.

SOCIETY FOR ACADEMIC SPECIALISTS IN GENERAL OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY (SASGOG) AWARD – Katherine Sampene, 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 – Ryan Luellwitz, DO

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 – Camille Ladanyi, MD

Selected by the residents and given annually to the faculty member who has made the greatest contribution in simulation education.

CREOG FACULTY AWARD – Luther Gaston, MD

National faculty award for excellence in resident education.

APGO EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD – Ryan Luellwitz, DO

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 – David Abbott, PhD

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.

Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Maternal-Fetal Medicine Gynecologic Oncology Reproductive Sciences Education Residency Fellowship