The UK Department of Surgery concluded the 2023-24 academic year in June with the presentation of its annual teaching awards.
Cortney Lee, MD, Mansi Shah, MD, and Prakash Pandalai, MD, presided over the general awards presentation. In the following weeks, the department's three residency programs - the Cardiothoracic Surgery I-6 Residency, the General Surgery Residency, and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery I-6 Residency - held individual graduation ceremonies.
During this academic year, there was a significant change in education leadership. Following the promotion of Sandra Beck, MD, to assistant dean of program development in the Office of Graduate Medical Education, Dr. Lee transitioned from being the surgery clerkship director for the College of Medicine to program director of the general surgery residency program. In medical student education, Dr. Pandalai and Dr. Shah transitioned to advanced development director (4th year students) and clerkship director (3rd year students), respectively. They also welcomed Lindel Dewberry, MD, as assistant director for the 3rd year clerkship.
In addition to the awards program, general surgery celebrated its chief residents' graduation by hosting a distinguished visiting professor, William O. Richards, MD, professor and chair of the department of surgery and the division of gastrointestinal surgery at the University of South Alabama.
Prior to making an excellent presentation entitled “Success as a Physician and Surgeon,” Dr. Richards also participated in case presentations from the following PGY 4 residents: Daniel Yackzan, MD, Amber James, MD, and Will Witt, MD.
The UK College of Medicine Department of Surgery extends its congratulations to this year’s graduates and to the recipients of this year’s teaching awards.
AWARDS LIST 2024
DEPARTMENTAL
Faculty:
Ward O. Griffen Award for Excellence in Medical Student Education (based on medical student evaluations):
Prakash Pandalai, MD
Ben Eiseman Award for Excellence in Resident Education (based on Resident evaluations):
Margaret Griffen, MD
Excellence in Medical Student & Resident Education - Faculty:
Rajasekhar Malyala, MD
Zachary Warriner, MD
Brian Tucker, DO
David Minion, MD
Meir B.L. Meerkov, MD, MSE
Lindel Dewberry, MD
David Rodeberg, MD
Varun Jain, MD
Bill Cavatassi, MD
Avinash Bhakta, MD
Excellence in Medical Student Education – Surgery Residents:
Sai Dalavayi, MD (Gen Surgery, PGY5)
Josh Bell, MD (Gen Surgery, PGY5)
Evan Lynch, MD, PhD (Plastic Surgery I-6, PGY4)
Wesley Stephens, MD (Gen Surgery, PGY4)
Daniel Yackzan, MD (Gen Surgery, PGY4)
Jennifer Castle, MD, PhD (Gen Surgery, PGY4)
Will Witt, MD (Gen Surgery, PGY4)
Kyle Ridlen, MD (Gen Surgery, PGY3)
Brittany Levy, MD (Gen Surgery, PGY3)
Marina Robson Chase, MD (Gen Surgery, PGY3)
Jacob Hubbuch, MD (Gen Surgery, PGY2)
Daniel Mohammadi, MD (CT Surgery I-6, PGY2)
Medical Student Awards:
Dr. Andrew Pulito Award: Krista Spear
Dr. Francis Massie Award: Angelica Solomon
CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY I-6 RESIDENCY
Faculty Teaching Award: Clinton Morgan, MD
Highest In-Training Exam Award: Thomas Marsden, MD
Most Academic Contributions: Andrew Gorton, MD
Most Valuable Resident Colleague: Andy Bishop, MD
GENERAL SURGERY RESIDENCY
Bobby C. Powell Intern of the Year Award: Lekha Devara, MD
Bobby Powell was a highly respected surgical house officer in the General Surgery Residency program. His life was cut short by a tragic boating accident in 1976. This award, selected by PGY 3-5 residents, recognizes the outstanding intern of year.
Gordon L. Hyde Award: Jacob Perry, MD (Morehead State University)
Awarded to the faculty member who gives the most of themselves to help residents professionally and personally. Selected by PGY 4 Residents.
Chief Residents’ Award: Jitesh Patel, MD
The graduating general surgery chiefs give this award to the faculty member who does the most to enhance residents’ surgical skill.
PLASTIC SURGERY I-6 RESIDENCY
Faculty Teaching Award: Alisha Paranzino, MD
Highest In-Training Exam Award: Garrett Minor, MD
Resident Research Award: Evan Lynch, MD
Best Resident: Evan Lynch, MD
