The George Washington University (GW) academic medical enterprise capped off the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences’ Bicentennial celebration in the same way it began — by honoring those who make GW Medicine exceptional. On March 27, the annual GW Medicine Faculty and Staff Recognition event took place, celebrating the people whose dedication drives the institution’s missions of clinical care, education, research, and community service.
Barbara Lee Bass, MD, RESD ’86, vice president for health affairs, dean of GW SMHS, and Walter A. Bloedorn Chair of Administrative Medicine, delivered the opening remarks. She emphasized that this awards ceremony marked the official kickoff to the school’s bicentennial celebration. Over the next 18 months, the school hosted 17 signature events, highlighting the academic, clinical, and research excellence that has firmly established GW as a leader in medical education.
“It’s truly been a joy to be here during this 200th year,” Dean Bass said. “We created events to showcase the incredible service we provide to the community on so many fronts and to highlight the exceptional talent we have. From advancing medicine to educating future leaders, to conducting groundbreaking research — all in service to improving health locally and beyond.”
Dean Bass also noted that the awards ceremony honors the extraordinary accomplishments of faculty and staff from both the school and the GW Medical Faculty Associates, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the institution. “Together, we are one academic medical enterprise, GW Medicine,” she said. “This celebration is not just about the award recipients but about everyone who supports them. It’s a reminder that without our collective contributions, our missions cannot be fulfilled.”
This year’s selection committee focused on identifying individuals who foster collaboration, creativity, and efficiency while consistently helping others in their professional environments.
Yolanda Haywood, MD, RESD ’87, BS ’81, CERT ’04, senior associate dean for diversity, inclusion, and faculty affairs, and associate dean for student affairs, presented the faculty honors, beginning with the Distinguished Teacher Awards. “We are proud to honor three exceptional educators this evening,” Dean Haywood said. “These faculty members have excelled in five key areas: communicating information to enhance learning, inspiring and motivating students, innovating in teaching, demonstrating sustained commitment as educators, and creating a positive learning environment.”
The Distinguished Teacher Awards went to Anelia Horvath, PhD, research professor of biochemistry and molecular medicine; Natasha Powell, MD, associate professor of emergency medicine; and Erin Wentzell, DrPH, DPT, assistant professor of health, human function, and rehabilitation sciences.
The W. Scott Schroth Mentor Award was presented to Maria Portela Martinez, MD, associate professor of emergency medicine and health policy and management. Nominated by William Borden, MD, MBA, professor of medicine at GW SMHS and Chief Quality and Population Health Officer at The GW MFA, Martinez was recognized for her excellence in mentoring and fostering the professional development of scholarly concentration students.
The Diversity and Inclusion Award was presented to those who have made significant, sustained contributions to advancing diversity and inclusion within the institution.
“These individuals have raised awareness of diversity issues in the workplace and served as catalysts for positive change,” said Dean Haywood. This year’s recipients are Marie Borum, MD, professor of medicine and prevention and community health; Susan LeLacheur, DrPH, professor of physician assistant studies; and Howard Straker, EdD, associate professor of physician assistant studies and prevention and community health.
Alison Hall, PhD, senior associate dean for research, presented a series of awards recognizing faculty excelling in research and discovery. Hall explained that the Elaine H. Snyder Cancer Research Award honors researchers who have made outstanding contributions to cancer research over the past year, across laboratory, clinical, behavioral, and population-based studies. This year’s recipient was Marie Borum.
The Distinguished Researcher Award was presented to David Diemert, MD, professor of medicine and director of the GW Vaccine Research Unit. This award recognizes significant achievements in biomedical and health services research, along with mentoring and teaching contributions.
The Early Career Clinical Scientist Research Achievement Award went to Benjamin Liu, MBBS, PhD, assistant professor of pathology, while the Early Career Basic Scientist Research Achievement Award was presented to Maho Shibata, PhD, assistant professor of anatomy and cell biology. Both awards recognize promising young investigators for their contributions to the biomedical sciences.
Bill Elliott, CEO of the GW Medical Faculty Associates and senior associate administrative dean for clinical affairs, presented the Pillar of Excellence Awards. “Tonight, we recognize 20 individuals who have gone above and beyond to support and advance one or more of our four pillars: clinical care, education, research, and health equity,” said Elliott.
Robert Miller closed the evening by honoring the Class of 2024 Emeriti Faculty, individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the institution. Two of this year’s eight new members — Harold Frazier II, MD, professor emeritus of urology, and Richard J. Katz, professor emeritus of medicine and emergency medicine — were present to join in the celebration.
Staff Excellence Awardees
William Blatt, Standardized Patient Program Manager, SMHS CLASS Center
Sharon Butler, Patient Navigator, Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine
Siobhán Hanna, Program Coordinator, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
Sarah H. Marsan, Admissions Officer, Department of Physician Assistant Studies
Nancy McCormack, Operations Manager, Department of Neurosurgery
Courtney A. Moore, Administrative Assistant, Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine
Kevin Nies, MEd, Assistant Dean of MD Admissions, SMHS MD Program
Donnell D. Palmer, Tier 2 Support Manager, MFA Information Systems and Technology
Stephanie K. S. Rasgus, MEd, PMP, Lead Student Services Specialist, Department of Clinical Research and Leadership
Erica J. Southerton, Administrative Associate, GW Cancer Center
Faculty Awardees
Distinguished Teacher Award
Anelia Horvath, PhD, Research Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine
Distinguished Teacher Award
Natasha Powell, MD, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine
Distinguished Teacher Award
Erin Wentzell, DrPH, DPT, Assistant Professor of Health, Human Function and Rehabilitation Sciences
W. Scott Schroth Mentor Award
Maria Portela Martinez, MD, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and of Health Policy and Management
Diversity and Inclusion Award
Marie Borum, MD, Professor of Medicine and of Prevention and Community Health
Susan LeLacheur, DrPH Professor of Physician Assistant Studies, and Howard Straker, EdD, Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Studies and of Prevention and Community Health
Faculty Research Awardees
Elaine H. Snyder Cancer Research Award
Marie Borum, MD, Professor of Medicine and of Prevention and Community Health
Distinguished Researcher Award
David Diemert, MD, Professor of Medicine, of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, and of Epidemiology
Early Career Clinical Scientist Research Achievement Award
Benjamin Liu, MBBS, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pathology, of Pediatrics, and of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine
Early Career Basic Scientist Research Achievement Award
Maho Shibata, PhD, Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology
Pillars of Excellence Awardees
Lexi Boyd, BSN, RN, Epic Informaticist GW Cancer Center
Sherry Brody, Executive Program Coordinator SMHS MD Program
Matthew T. Colonnese, PhD, Professor of Pharmacology and Physiology
Patrick G. Corr, EdD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Research and Leadership
Cynthia A. Eichele, MA, Director of Registration and Records SMHS MD Program
Rayhana Fazily, Senior Digital Communication Specialist MFA Office of Marketing and Communications
Latarsha Fisher, Compliance Manager, Revenue Cycle and Audit MFA Office of Compliance
Andrew Flanagan, MBA, Director of Development and Director of GW GPS SMHS Development and Alumni Relations
Thomas Harrod, MSLIS, Associate Director, Reference, Instruction, and Access Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library
Eden Hummel-Nesbitt, RN Nurse Navigator for Maternal Fetal Medicine Department of, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Marie H. Koroma, RN, Infusion Nurse GW Cancer Center
Taha Nasir, Patient Experience Lead MFA Office of Patient Experience
Sherrita Neal Director of Operations Department of Medicine
Tulay Orhon, MHA, Senior Director of Quality and Safety, GW MFA Office of Health Care Delivery Transformation
Margot Pierre, MSM, Executive Director MFA Administration
Laura M. Roland, MD, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine
Geoffrey L. Shapiro, MS, Director, EMS and Operational Medicine Training Department of Clinical Research and Leadership
Pooja Sodha, MD, Associate Professor of Dermatology
Alan K. Tsang, MBA, Senior Financial Analyst SMHS Finance Office
Theresa Worley, BSN, MTA, Clinical Application Analyst, GW MFA Information Systems and Technology
Recognition of Emeriti Faculty
Anita Aggarwal, PhD, DO, Professor Emerita of Medicine
Ira Cohen, MD, Professor Emeritus of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine and of Pediatrics
Harold Frazier, II, MD, Professor Emeritus of Urology
Richard Jonas, MD, Professor Emeritus of Surgery and of Pediatrics
Richard J. Katz, MD, Professor Emeritus of Medicine and of Emergency Medicine
Michael Seneff, MD, Professor Emeritus of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, of Medicine, and of Surgery
Marshall Summar, MD, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics
Alan Wasserman, MD, Eugene Meyer Professor Emeritus of Medicine
Visit the 2024 Promotions and Tenue Page to see the full list of Promoted Faculty.
