Scholarship, intellectual curiosity and academic achievement were focal points during this year’s Celebration of Resident and Fellow Education and Research Day at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville.
The June 9 event, held inside the Learning Resource Center on the UF Health Jacksonville campus and livestreamed for remote viewing, combined what has traditionally been known as graduation, research day and Advances in Medical Education, respectively. Recognitions, speeches and award presentations highlighted the festivities.
There were 123 resident physicians and fellows recognized for completing training programs. Several of the graduates will soon pursue further training while others will begin practice, including some who are joining the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville as faculty members.
Leon L. Haley Jr. MD, MHSA, dean of the college and CEO of UF Health Jacksonville, delivered the keynote address during the graduation ceremony. He spoke of the unprecedented challenges of a pandemic and how the past year served as the ultimate test of readiness and dedication to excellent patient care.
“I want to thank each of you for your commitment to our patients, our staff and our community,” said Haley, who also infused humor. “Thank you for your commitment to Zoom as a verb and a way of life.”
Haley lauded the quality of the college’s teaching faculty; emphasized the focus on access to services, quality care and optimal outcomes; and homed in on the enterprise’s four-pillar mission to heal, to comfort, to educate and to discover.
“As you go forward, remember our mission and remember our pillars,” he said. “Take them with you and make a difference.”
Research posters and abstracts
Earlier during the event, researchers were recognized for their various discoveries on campus.
- Maria Schonenberg Llach, MD, a pediatric emergency medicine fellow, won among clinical research posters for her poster titled “A novel combined cervical spine and blunt cerebrovascular injury pathway for pediatric trauma patients.”
- Mohannad Abushora, MD, an obstetric anesthesiology fellow, won among quality improvement posters for his poster titled “Implementation of cesarean section kit improves time from decision on urgent cesarean delivery to skin incision.”
- Sebastian Mikulic, DO, an internal medicine resident, won among clinical vignette posters for his poster titled “Exopthalmos and ovarian masses, an unusual presentation of acute myeloid leukemia.”
- Kasondra Hartman, MD, an emergency medicine resident, won the photo contest for her project titled “Do not mistake the symptoms for the disease: an unexpected cause of rapid ventricular response in atrial fibrillation.”
- Michaela Denison, MD, a child and adolescent psychiatry fellow, won among medical education posters for her poster titled “Through the lens: pediatrician depression video training.”
Award winners
Following are key awards announced during Celebration of Resident and Fellow Education and Research Day:
- Excellence in Student Education Award (resident) – Brett Murray, MD, pediatrics
- Excellence in Student Education Award (faculty) – Guy Benrubi, MD, obstetrics and gynecology
- Robert J. Wears Outstanding Resident in Quality and Patient Safety Award – Issa Hanna, MD, pediatrics; and Andrew Sellinger, MD, emergency medicine
- Edward Jelks Outstanding Resident Clinician Award – Anthony Stack II, DO, internal medicine
- Rosilie O. Saffos Outstanding Resident Teacher Award – Michaela Denison, MD, child and adolescent psychiatry
- Ann Harwood-Nuss Resident Advocate Award – Barrett Attarha, MO, internal medicine
- Louis S. Russo Jr. Award for Outstanding Professionalism in Medicine (resident) – Rebecca Creel, MD, psychiatry; and Aaron Richardson, DO, MS, cardiovascular disease
- Louis S. Russo Jr. Award for Outstanding Professionalism in Medicine (faculty) – Elisa Sottile, MD, internal medicine
- Distinguished Alumni Award – Cheryl Iglesia, MD; and Robert Luten, MD
Visit this link to view a slideshow featuring all of the 2021 graduates and nominees for each award.