Patient and Family Recognition Award
This award honors clinical faculty whose dedication to the compassionate, respectful delivery of exceptional patient care has garnered the highest degree of patient trust and satisfaction.
Bonnie C. Prokesch, M.D.
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine
Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine
To her patients, Dr. Bonnie Prokesch “radiates a lightness of being that is positive and hopeful” in the way she listens and makes them feel seen, heard, and understood. Beyond her commitment to delivering the best evidence-based medicine, she is beloved by those for whom she cares.
“When I sought treatment at UT Southwestern, I assumed that the physicians would be highly skilled,” one patient said. “However, I did not automatically assume that my treating physician would also be as caring, relatable, and easily accessible as Dr. Prokesch has proved to be. She exhibits professional competence and confidence in a quiet, understated manner.”
Said another person in her care: “Dr. Prokesch is intentional in developing relationships with her patients. She knows each of them and their families, and my family feels very comfortable interacting with her.”
Colleagues of Dr. Prokesch agree, having heard similar praise of her from their own patients, and they appreciate her collaborative spirit.
“My patients tell me that they are not only immediately impressed by her kindness, smile, and welcoming demeanor, but that she is very approachable, takes time with them, and provides clear and precise directives for their upcoming care,” noted one peer. “They are always reassured after meeting with her and fully trust her for their care. I also feel blessed to be able to count on her at all times.”
In addition to her direct patient care, Dr. Prokesch is dedicated to research in the areas of antibiotic stewardship and the treatment of recurrent urinary tract infections. Her desire to learn and understand new treatments translates into better care for her patients and an improved outlook.
“Dr. Prokesch’s research and recommendation of medicine gave me back my quality of life,” one patient wrote. “No more hospital stays, no more infections, period. She represents the very best of a teaching hospital, and she grasps the human condition of someone like me, who has a chronic and deadly disease.”
“She always greets me with a smile and a hug,” the patient added. “Not many can say you look forward to going to the doctor, but I can when I get to see my friend, Dr. Prokesch.”
Dr. Prokesch earned her medical degree and completed a residency in internal medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine. She received advanced training through infectious diseases fellowships at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and at UT Southwestern. She is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society in 2024 as a faculty member after being nominated by students inspired by her patient care, compassionate leadership, and demonstration of humanism in medicine.
In her words: Every day I meet patients and families and within a matter of seconds go from mere stranger to confidant. What a privilege to hear their most personal and vulnerable stories and join them along their health care journeys. As a humanities major with a desire to make this world a better place, I went into medicine to change lives. I had no idea the impact my patients and their families would have on me. I have learned so much about myself, life, courage, true empathy, and trust from my patients and their families. The relationships that we have forged while gracefully navigating truly frightening moments in their lives motivate me to continue practicing the art of medicine, to continue asking difficult questions, to never stop searching for answers, and to always end our time together with compassion (usually with hugs). My parents, Helene and Richard, instilled in me the importance of caring for others with curiosity, kindness, and empathy. I strive to treat patients as if they are members of my family. It is extremely humbling and overwhelming to be nominated by my patients, their families, and my colleagues and ultimately to be recognized at the institutional level for the way I practice clinical medicine. I am forever grateful to my patients who honor me every day by trusting me, confiding in me, and teaching me what life is truly all about. I dedicate this award to them as well as to my family.
David J. Sher, M.D., M.P.H.
Professor of Radiation Oncology
Vice Chair and Medical Director for Clinical Operations and Quality
Chief of Head and Neck Radiation Oncology Service
Easing patient anxiety, fostering an environment of trust and support, and creating a culture of excellence in patient care are the hallmarks of a great physician, and Dr. David Sher, well known for his empathy, professionalism, and dedication, exemplifies each of these characteristics.
His approachable and reassuring demeanor and commitment to transparency in communication, including taking the time to explain treatment options and outcomes thoroughly, ensures patients feel informed and confident in their care.
“Dr. Sher’s empathetic nature and professional excellence have given us hope and trust during a challenging time,” said one patient.
He also consistently places the needs of patients and their families at the forefront of his clinical practice. As a co-developer and Chair of the Patient and Family Advisory Council, Dr. Sher has established a forum for continuous engagement with cancer survivors, making certain their voices are heard and their feedback is incorporated into clinical operations. In fact, he has initiated several clinicwide programs aimed at improving the patient experience, such as enhanced appointment scheduling processes, patient self-check-in, and patient education sessions, all of which have greatly increased patient satisfaction and trust.
“Dr. Sher’s care has transformed my experience,” said another patient. “His willingness to listen and act on our concerns made a world of difference.”
His nominator notes that Dr. Sher believes one of the best sources of information about patient outcomes comes directly from patients. These patient-reported outcomes (PROs) require validated metrics of success as well as thoughtful processes to gather the information. Dr. Sher’s implementation of PRO collection has been the proving ground for UTSW to embed PRO metrics into our Epic system. He has worked with Chief Medical Informatics Officer DuWayne Willett, M.D., and the Epic team to find nonintrusive solutions for collecting information directly from patients, which is incorporated into clinical trials and now part of standard operations.
“UT Southwestern can learn valuable lessons from Dr. Sher’s approach to patient care, particularly his emphasis on patient and family engagement, transparent communication, and responsiveness,” commented one colleague. “By treating patients as active partners in their care, Dr. Sher has demonstrated the importance of fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. His practice of incorporating patient feedback into clinical operations highlights the benefits of actively seeking and utilizing patient insights to drive continuous improvement.”
With his focus on listening, accessibility, and responsiveness, Dr. Sher serves as a model for enhancing patient satisfaction and trust across the institution.
Dr. Sher graduated summa cum laude from Yale University with a degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry. He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and additionally completed his residency training at Harvard while concurrently earning a master’s degree in public health.
In his words: I am extremely honored to receive the Patient and Family Recognition Award. Helping patients through the most difficult times in their lives is a privilege in itself, and I am very fortunate to work with a terrific team both inside and outside the Radiation Oncology Department, and this award is a testament to the quality of care that individuals with cancer receive at our institution. As a physician, my day-to-day professional life is focused on improving patient outcomes and the patient experience, and it is very touching and reinvigorating to see those efforts acknowledged.