Awards 2017

Teaching in the Operating Room – Cherie C. Hill, MD

Teaching on Labor and Delivery – Kurt Martinuzzi, MD

Teaching in the Outpatient Clinic – Andrea Joyner, MD, IBCLC

Teaching in Research – Lisa Haddad, MD, MS, MPH

Distinguished Award for Mentorship – Britton Chahine, MD

2016-2017 Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) Excellence in Teaching Award – Andrea Joyner, MD, IBCLC

2016-2017 Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Excellence in Teaching Award – Agena Davenport-Nicholson, MD

2016-2017 Society for Academic Generalists in Obstetrics and Gynecology (SASGOG) Faculty Award: Jessica Arluck, MD

Crystal Apple for Excellence in Medical Student Education: Suzanne Griffith, MD; Andrea Joyner, MD, IBCLC; Robert Kelley, DO, MBA; Mark Lachiewicz, MD; Jade Stafford, MD; Anita Tamirisa, DO: Kalinda Woods, MD

The residents also selected a member of our community faculty for the promotion of the highest standards in resident education. The 2016-2017 Outstanding Community Faculty Award was awarded to Dr. Thaddeus Chapman.

First and second year residents are asked to select senior residents who demonstrated excellence and consideration in teaching the junior residents during this academic year. Cristina Elstad, MD, is the PGY3 recipient and Katherine de Souza, MD, is the PGY4 recipient of the Excellence in Teaching awards for residents.

All residents were asked to select a fellow who demonstrated excellence and consideration in teaching the residents during this academic year. Kyle Gonzales, DO, is the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching award for a fellow.

Class of 2019 – Kalie Deutsch, MD

Class of 2018 – Veronica Alvarez, MD, MSEd

Class of 2017 – Bradley Sipe, MD

Class of 2016 – Renita White, MD

Outstanding Laparoendoscopic Resident Surgeon, from the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons: Leilah Zahedi-Spung, MD, was selected by the faculty for this award for consistently demonstrating excellence in the surgical theater. 

Special Resident in Minimally Invasive Gynecology, from the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL): Jana Platz, MD, was selected by the faculty for consistently demonstrating excellence in endoscopic procedures. 

Excellence in Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, from the American Urogynecology Society (AUGS): Jon Pennycuff, MD, was selected by the faculty for commitment to the care of women with pelvic floor disorders and to incorporating quality of life improvement into her clinical care of patients.

Excellence in Obstetrics, from the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine: The faculty chose Bradley Sipe, MD, to receive this honor, for best exemplifying the qualities of the vision of the Society to improve pregnancy and perinatal outcomes.

SASGOG Resident Award, for a resident who has distinguished themselves academically and demonstrates an interest in a career as an academic ob/gyn. The generalists chose Shivika Trivedi, MD, for this award. 

Ryan Program Resident Award for Excellence in Family Planning: The Division of Family Planning selected Caitlin Martin, MD, as the resident who best exemplifies the dedication to service, training, and education in contraception and abortion that characterized the Ryan Program.

Residents and faculty members were asked to select the senior resident who continually exemplifies professionalism and humanism, excelled in clinical service, and was an outstanding teacher and role model for junior residents and students. Renita White, MD, was selected as Most Outstanding Senior Resident.

The Dr. Luella Klein Award was created to honor Dr. Klein for the many significant contributions she has made as a leader in the specialty of women’s health and the example she has set for the importance of professional responsibility. The award recognizes a PYG 1, 2, or 3 resident who has consistently demonstrated exceptional qualities of leadership and professional responsibility and encourages them to continue the amazing tradition established by Dr. Klein in taking initiative to set examples of professionalism and seeking leadership roles to benefit women’s health. Cristina Elstad, MD, was chosen by the faculty to receive the Dr. Luella Klein Award.

The Dr. Robert Hatcher Award pays tribute to the contributions of one our most esteemed faculty members. Dr. Hatcher dedicated his career to advancing women’s reproductive autonomy through improving access to family planning services, and that is due in large part to his commitment and passion for teaching. Members of the Family Planning division voted to select the resident who has consistently demonstrated excellence in family planning services and a commitment to improving women’s reproductive health through education. Veronica Alvarez, MD, MSEd, was chosen to receive the Dr. Robert Hatcher Award.

The Esprit de Corps Award is voted on by all the residents and is awarded to the resident who best exemplified teamwork, spirit, and pride in the Emory residency program this academic year. Laura Ramirez-Caban, MD, is this year’s recipient of the Esprit de Corps Award.

Awards for Research Proposals 

These award recipients’ proposals were chosen based on innovation, significance, feasibility, and impact. Their awards are sponsored by the Georgia Obstetrical and Gynecological Society and the Emory Grady Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.

Outstanding Research Proposal by a Fellow: Alexcis Thomson, MD, for her project "The Effects of Vaginal Estrogen on Bladder Electrophysiologic Activity in Postmenopausal Women with Overactive Bladder. ” Research mentor: Robert Kelley, DO, MBA

Outstanding Research Proposal by a Resident: Veronica Alvarez, MD, MSEd, for her project "Increasing Access to Emergency Contraception, Combined Contraception, and LARC Referrals in the Emergency Room: A Resident-Based Educational Intervention." Research mentors: Lisa Haddad, MD, MS, MPH; Eva Lathrop, MD, MPH

Excellence in Resident Research: Marisa Young, MD, PhD, for her project "Prenatal Care Utilization in Kigoma, Tanzania.” Research mentors: Lisa Haddad, MD, MS, MPH: Eva Lathrop, MD, MPH; Diana Morof, MD, MSc

Excellence in Resident Research: Caitlin Martin, MD, for her project "Fertility, Pregnancy, and Postpartum: A Survey of Practicing Georgia Obstetrician Gynecologists.” Research mentors: Jennifer Kawwass, MD; Heather Hipp, MD

Awards for Completed Research Projects 

These awards recognize exemplary research. These awardees' findings have added new information to our understanding of key issues affecting women's health.

Outstanding Research by a Fellow: Bassam Rimawi, MD, for his project "Pharmacokinetics and Placental Transfer of Elvitegravir and Dolutegravir, and Other Antiretrovirals during Pregnancy.” Research Mentors: Rana Chakraborty, MD; Martina Badell, MD; Augustine Rajakumar, PhD; Erica Johnson, PhD 

Outstanding Research Conducted by a Resident: Renita White, MD, for her project "Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceived Barriers to Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives among Patients Attending an Outpatient Abortion Clinic in Atlanta, Georgia.” Research Mentors: Lisa Haddad, MD, MS, MPH: Eva Lathrop, MD, MPH

Excellence in Resident Research: Vinita Alexander, MD, for her project "Outcomes and Cost Analysis of Surveillance Strategies after Initial Treatment for Women with Recurrent Ovarian Cancer.” Research mentors: Alan Gordon, MD; Namita Khanna, MD, MSPH

Excellence in Resident Research: Erin Duncan, MD, MPH, for her project "How Healthy is Grady Healthy Baby? A Pilot Study.” Research mentors: Jane Ellis, MD, PhD; Lisa Haddad, MD, MS, MPH; Tammy Loucks, MPH, DrPH

Excellence in Resident Research: Toya Pratt, MD, for her project "Obesity and Perioperative Complications in Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery in 2013: Analysis of the National Inpatient Sample.” Research mentor: Gina Northington, MD, PhD