From a physician who helped foster communitywide innovations in HIV care to a brain surgeon known for her extraordinary compassion, this year’s Leaders in Clinical Excellence Award recipients share a heartfelt commitment to medicine and deep appreciation for their patients.

Clinical faculty and staff across UT Southwestern’s many sites of service were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the care of patients at the sixth annual Leaders in Clinical Excellence Awards ceremony, which was held Nov. 9 in the Tom and Lula Gooch Auditorium. Nine recipients won individual awards, and leaders representing two winning programs were also recognized for their teams’ innovation and impact.

Each of the honorees thanked their families, colleagues, and mentors. They also expressed gratitude to their patients for inspiring them every day and to UT Southwestern for the opportunity to provide lifesaving treatments.

UT Southwestern President Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D., who hosted the ceremony, said it offers an opportunity to “celebrate those colleagues who embody and live all that we aspire to in terms of excellence in the care that we provide to our patients and their families.”

More than 175 physicians were nominated by the campus community this year. The awards selection committee faced a difficult task selecting the winners, said Dr. Podolsky, who was struck by the many outstanding nominees practicing across a breadth of medical specialties.

Excellence in clinical medicine

Over more than three decades at UT Southwestern, Karen J. Kowalske, M.D., has earned a national reputation as a dedicated advocate of long-term rehabilitative care for patients suffering from catastrophic injuries.

Dr. Kowalske, Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, was awarded the Patricia and William L. Watson Jr., M.D. Award for Excellence in Clinical Medicine. UTSW’s highest honor in clinical care, the Watson Award recognizes a clinician who exemplifies excellence in patient care and is a leader in advancing clinical innovation.

Described as the heart and soul of the burn rehabilitation program, Dr. Kowalske has provided compassionate, comprehensive care to improve her patients’ functional and emotional health. She also has mentored countless faculty members, fellows, interns, and students and initiated the creation of programs for unfunded patients with amputations and burn patients in need of laser therapy to reduce scarring.

“The rewards of being a doctor are all about taking care of patients,” Dr. Kowalske said. “Every day they remind me why I do this.”

Toral R. Patel, M.D., Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery, Neurology, and Radiation Oncology, received the Patient and Family Recognition Award, which honors clinical faculty members whose dedication to the compassionate and respectful delivery of exceptional care has earned the highest degree of patient trust and satisfaction.

Dr. Patel, who specializes in treating gliomas, meningiomas, and other central nervous system tumors, said caring for patients who show such grace is tremendously rewarding. She combines expertise and technical skills in the operating room with empathy and kindness at the patient’s bedside.

“Being a physician is really a privilege. … I really feel so fortunate to be able to practice medicine and to try to heal other people,” she said. “Caring for patients is my life’s greatest joy.”

Advancing care through innovation

The President’s Award for Diversity and Humanism in Clinical Care went to Ellen Kitchell, M.D., Associate Professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine. The award is presented to clinical faculty members who exemplify the humanistic spirit of patient-centered medicine.

As Medical Director of the largest Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program medical home in the country, Dr. Kitchell leads a team serving more than 6,000 people with HIV. Over 13 years, her program has produced results: a viral suppression rate of over 90%. She also has helped foster communitywide innovations in HIV care, such as same-day treatment initiation and injectable therapies.

“It is all about the patients,” she said. “It has been incredibly rewarding to work with this population.”

The Program Development Awards honored a comprehensive care team that helps cystic fibrosis patients live longer, healthier lives and a maternal care unit that improves the lives of new mothers.

The Cystic Fibrosis and Bronchiectasis Program is led by Raksha Jain, M.D., Professor of Internal Medicine and Cystic Fibrosis and Bronchiectasis Program Director, who accepted the award on behalf of the clinical and research teams. The extending Maternal Care After Pregnancy (eMCAP) program was represented by its director, David B. Nelson, M.D., Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Chief, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, UT Southwestern, and Medical Director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Parkland Health.

Rising stars and longtime service

Two Rising Star Awards were given this year to outstanding early-career faculty members whose dedication to innovation and improving patients’ lives is matched only by their humanity.

Christina Herrera, M.D., Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, was recognized for her compassion and pioneering research in the development, structure, and function of the human placenta.

Jessica H. Voit, M.D., Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Geriatric Medicine, established a UT Southwestern branch of the nationally recognized Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) during her first year as a faculty member. The program’s volunteers help older patients retain cognitive skills and maintain physical well-being while in the hospital.

Another pair of gifted physicians were honored with the Institutional Service Award.

Vanessa Rogers, M.D., Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Vice Chair of Education and Faculty Development, received the honor for her success as a facilitator with a distinctive approach to problem-solving, education, career development, and fostering self-awareness.

Rina Sanghavi, M.D., M.B.A., Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, was acknowledged as a tireless advocate for physician well-being, gender equity in business operations, and faculty development.

Paying it forward

Two Mentoring Awards celebrated clinicians for their abilities to lead and inspire health care providers of the future: Anand Rohatgi, M.D., Professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Cardiology, and Kim B. Yancey, M.D., Professor of Dermatology and former departmental Chair.

As Associate Program Director of the Cardiovascular Fellowship Program since 2018, Dr. Rohatgi is the lead mentor for cardiology fellow research and meets with senior cardiology fellows throughout their third year of training. He also organizes cardiology research conferences and convenes with all fellows individually to discuss career development and research and academic plans.

“What I want to express is my gratitude to all of the mentees that I’ve worked with to be able to witness their growth, gratitude to allow me to grow with them on an unbelievable and magical journey,” he said in accepting the award.

Dr. Yancey, who has mentored scores of residents, medical school students, and faculty members during his 16 years in the Department of Dermatology, said he valued the impact mentors had on his career, and he was eager to pay it forward.

“The real blessing is the opportunity to work with so many talented young people,” he said, “and to see firsthand the impact they make on the lives of others every day.”

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Award Winner Videos

See below for special videos that were played for each winner or winning program.

To enlarge any video below, click on the “fullscreen” icon at the far right of the video player.

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Patricia and William L. Watson Jr., M.D. Award

 

Karen J. Kowalske, M.D.
Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

 

Patient and Family Recognition Award

 

Toral R. Patel, M.D.
Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery, Neurology, and Radiation Oncology

 

President’s Award

 

Ellen Kitchell, M.D.
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine
Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine

 

Program Development Award

Cystic Fibrosis and Bronchiectasis Program

 

Raksha Jain, M.D.
Professor of Internal Medicine
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

 

Program Development Award

Extending Maternal Care After Pregnancy (eMCAP)

 

David B. Nelson, M.D.
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Division Chief, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, UT Southwestern
Medical Director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Parkland Health

 

Rising Star Award

 

Christina Herrera, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine

 

Rising Star Award

 

Jessica H. Voit, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
Division of Geriatric Medicine

 

Institutional Service Award

 

Vanessa Rogers, M.D.
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Vice Chair of Education and Faculty Development

 

Institutional Service Award

 

Rinarani Sanghavi, M.D., M.B.A.
Professor of Pediatrics
Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology

 

Mentoring Award

 

Anand Rohatgi, M.D.
Professor of Internal Medicine
Division of Cardiology

 

Mentoring Award

 

Kim B. Yancey, M.D.
Professor of Dermatology