Congratulations to winners of the 2025 UW Department of Ob-Gyn awards!
On June 12, 2025, 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:
- Bala Bhagavath, Professor (5)
- Deborah Chasman, Scientist II (15)
- Chelsea Gatica, Medical Program Assistant (5)
- Tiffany Green, Associate Professor (5)
- Bridget Kelly, Assistant Professor (5)
- Bailey Schuldt, Medical Program Assistant (5)
- Amanda Wildenberg, Health Professions Education Coordinator (5)
10 Years:
- Aleksandar Stanic-Kostic, Associate Professor (10)
- Robin Wasielewski, Senior Clinical Research Coordinator II (10)
- Amy Williamson, CORE Associate Director (20)
15 Years:
- Jay Lick, Clinical Professor (15)
30 Years:
- Ian Bird, Professor (30)
Length of Service at UW Health:
Five Years:
- Emelle Holmes-Drammeh, PA
- Joanne Martin-Koob, PA
10 Years:
- Kristina Krueger, NP
15 Years:
- Denise Fryzelka, CNM
MEDICAL STUDENT AWARDS
DR. SAMUEL G. PERLSON SCHOLARSHIP – Louisa Keenan, MD; Kaitlyn Landry, 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 – Dylan Kernan
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 – Margaret Williams, 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.
WMAA 2024 OUTSTANDING RESIDENT TEACHING AWARD – Rusha Bajpai, 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 – John Gravelle, MD (Administrative Chief Resident), Carrie Sibbald, MD (Administrative Chief Resident), Margaret Williams, MD (Education Chief Resident)
For service as chief residents, academic year 2024-25.
UW HEALTH INTERDISCIPLINARY GLOBAL HEALTH TRACK RECOGNITION – Carrie Sibbald, MD
Given to a graduating resident upon the completion of the Global Health Track.
UW HEALTH RURAL TRAINING TRACK RECOGNITION – Jackie Luthardt, MD
Given to a graduating resident upon the completion of the Rural Training Track.
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT CHIEF RESIDENT RECOGNITION – Kharmen Bharucha, MD
For service as quality improvement chief resident, academic year 2024-25.
RESIDENT CREOG AWARD – Jeannette Larson, MD
Awarded for the highest exam score on the annual CREOG In-Training Examination.
NUMAN AL-NIAIMI RESIDENT AWARD IN SURGICAL EXCELLENCE – Rusha Bajpai, MD
Awarded to a PGY-3 or 4 resident for the most outstanding surgical article.
BEN M. PECKHAM AWARD – John Gravelle, 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 – Rusha Bajpai, 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 – Margaret Williams, 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 – Naomi Roselaar, 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 – Alma Farooque, 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 – Christina Dudley, 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 – Naomi Roselaar, MD
Given to a PGY-3 resident with special excellence in endoscopic procedures.
BEST CONSULTING RESIDENT PHYSICIAN AWARD – Margaret Williams, MD
Awarded to a PGY 2, 3 or 4 who exemplifies significant consulting physician skills.
RYAN PROGRAM RESIDENT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FAMILY PLANNING – Margaret Williams, 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
DOUGLAS W. LAUBE BEST TRAINEE PAPER AWARD – Sejal Sharma; Siyan Zhang
For the best peer reviewed paper by a graduate student dissertator or medical fellow.
ROLAND K. MEYER, PhD GRADUATE TRAINEE AWARD – Marcela Ambrogi, DMV, PhD
Awarded to the graduate student dissertator showing the most scientific productivity and scholarly activity.
CHESTER B. MARTIN, MD, GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM MENTORSHIP AWARD – Maria Virumbrales-Munoz
Awarded to faculty or staff that has had the most impact on graduate student degree-related training.
PHILLIP R. HAMILTON III, MD RESIDENT RESEARCH AWARD – Carrie Sibbald, MD
Awarded to the senior residents demonstrating the best effort in research.
DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AWARDS
OB-GYN SUPPORT STAFF RISING STAR AWARD – Rani Achhireddy
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 – Carly Johnson
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 – Natalie Duerst; Amanda Wildenberg
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 – Melanie Hall, NP
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 – Hannah Copp, 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 – Kim Bannon, MD
For demonstrating the traits of Dr. Anderson: patience, integrity and compassion in the care of women.
KIMBERLEY J. MILLER-THORESON COMPASSIONATE COLLEAGUE AWARD – Molly Lepic, DO
For demonstrating the traits of Dr. Miller-Thoreson showing respect, compassion, dedication and unending support towards their colleagues and trainees.
DOLORES A. BUCHLER AWARD – Patrice Grzebielski, 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.
FACULTY & FELLOW RECOGNITION AWARDS
LAUREL W. RICE OUTSTANDING FELLOW EDUCATOR AWARD – Scott Infusino, MD
Given to one fellow for excellence in resident education.
ST. MARY’S ADJUNCT FACULTY EDUCATOR AWARD – Talya Spivak, MD (SSM Health)
Selected by the residents for excellence in resident education.
MERITER ADJUNCT FACULTY EDUCATOR AWARD – Isabel Nellen, DO (Madison Women's Health)
Selected by the residents for excellence in resident education.
SOCIETY FOR ACADEMIC SPECIALISTS IN GENERAL OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY (SASGOG) AWARD – Molly Lepic, DO
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 – Molly Lepic, 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 – Caroline Cox, MD
Selected by the residents and given annually to the faculty member who has made the greatest contribution in simulation education.
CREOG FACULTY AWARD – Molly Lepic, DO
National faculty award for excellence in resident education.
APGO EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD – Laura Cooney, 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 – Neha Bhardwaj, MD, MS (University of Chicago)
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.