Sidney Kimmel Medical College celebrated outstanding faculty at its 21st annual faculty awards ceremony, recognizing 79 individuals for their extraordinary achievements in service of patients, students and community.
“With great pride, we celebrated award recipients who represent 22 departments within Sidney Kimmel Medical College, nominated from across the Jefferson Health System and our academic affiliate partners,” says Dr. Said Ibrahim, the Anthony F. and Gertrude M. DePalma Dean of Sidney Kimmel Medical College. “Each in their unique way serve as shining examples of steadfast commitment to excellence across our missions of clinical care, education, research and commitment to building and sustaining an inclusive, collaborative academic community.”
Celebrating Career Achievement & Innovation
Among the distinguished honorees, several awards recognize career-long contributions and groundbreaking work:
Dr. Thomas Kowalski received the Career Educator Award for his outstanding contributions to education in gastroenterology and hepatology, both within the institution and throughout his field.
Dr. Christine Eischen was honored with the Research Career Award, recognizing her exceptional leadership and contributions to cancer biology research over 15 years in academic biomedicine.
The Michael and Melinda Pellini Award for Innovation in Biomedical Sciences went to Dr. Bruno Calabretta for discoveries that have led to new approaches in cancer research and patient care.
Recognizing Clinical Excellence
The Outstanding Clinician Awards celebrated physicians who have distinguished themselves through evidence-based practice and exceptional patient care:
- Dr. Erika Yoo (Hospital-Based Medicine) in Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care
- Dr. Christine Soutendijk (Primary Care) in Internal Medicine
- Dr. Walter Kraft (Subspecialty Medicine) in Pharmacology, Physiology and Cancer Biology
- Dr. Joseph Curry (Surgery and Surgical Subspecialties) in Otolaryngology
Supporting the Next Generation
Several awards highlighted Jefferson’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent and innovative research:
Dr. Amit Srivastava received the Early Career Investigator Award for Distinguished Achievement in Biomedical Research for his outstanding work in hematology within his first decade of faculty appointment.
Dr. Meghan Harrison was recognized with the Marjorie A. Bowman, MD ’76, Early Career Investigator Award for Primary Care Research, honoring her contributions to improving pediatric primary healthcare delivery.
Community Impact & Team Excellence
Dr. Elizabeth Liveright received the Community Service Award for her work advancing medicine and science within the broader community through her obstetrics and gynecology practice.
Two exceptional teams were honored with Faculty Team Achievement Awards for their collaborative innovations:
The Obstetrical Care Coordination Team, led by Drs. Jane Huffnagle, Suzanne Huffnagle, John Wentzel, Amanda Roman and David Carola, was recognized for transforming maternal and infant care through interdisciplinary coordination.
The Basic Science Research Team, including Drs. Jeffrey Benevic, Charles Scott and Raymond Penn, received recognition for their collaborative advances in biochemistry and translational medicine.
These awards underscore Sidney Kimmel Medical College’s position as a leader in medical education and research, where faculty members continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in healthcare, education and scientific discovery.