Leaders in Clinical Excellence Awards Presentation Program Agenda

Introductory Remarks
Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D.
UT Southwestern President

Presentation of Awards
Dr. Podolsky, UT Southwestern President
Jonathan Efron, M.D., Executive Vice President for Health System Affairs
W. P. Andrew Lee, M.D., Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost, and Dean of UT Southwestern Medical School

Rising Star Award

This award recognizes exceptional early-career clinical faculty whose actions and activities consistently exemplify enthusiasm, commitment, professionalism, and leadership.

Nick Hendren, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
Division of Cardiology

Caroline Park, M.D., M.P.H., FACS
Associate Professor of Surgery
Division of Burn, Trauma, Acute, and Critical Care Surgery

Mentoring Award

This award celebrates clinicians who demonstrate exceptional commitment and effectiveness as mentors to health care providers.

Benjamin N. Nguyen, M.D.
Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Gilberto A. Salazar, M.D., FACEP
Professor of Emergency Medicine

Patient and Family Recognition Award

This award honors clinical faculty whose dedication to the compassionate, respectful delivery of exceptional patient care has garnered the highest degree of patient trust and satisfaction.

Yu-Guang He, M.D.
Professor of Ophthalmology
Holder of the Josephine Long Biddle Chair in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Research and the Zora Meagher Macular Degeneration Research Professorship

James F. Thornton, M.D.
Director of Facial Reconstruction
Professor of Plastic Surgery
Holder of the Ellen L. Heck Chair in Tissue Transplantation

Program Development Award

This award celebrates the innovation and collaboration that are foundational to the success of UT Southwestern Medical Center. It recognizes a group of clinical faculty and staff who have partnered to create, develop, and sustain an innovative program that significantly advances our ability to improve patient care.

Burn Reconstruction Program
Led by Samuel P. Mandell, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, FABA
Associate Professor of Surgery, Burn Section Chief at UT Southwestern
Medical Director of Parkland Burn Center
Holder of the Laurel and Gary F. Purdue, M.D. Chair in Burn Care

Institutional Service Award

This award honors clinical faculty who consistently share time and expertise in service to internal committees, task forces, and other institutional activities that make a significant impact on the care delivered to UT Southwestern patients.

Susan Matulevicius, M.D., M.S.C.S.
Associate Dean of Faculty Wellness and Engagement
Professor of Internal Medicine
Division of Cardiology

The President’s Award for Humanism in Clinical Care

This award honors clinical faculty who exemplify the humanistic spirit of patient-centered medicine, both through clinical excellence and in outstanding compassion in the delivery of care.

Melanie S. Sulistio, M.D., FACC, FAHA
Professor of Internal Medicine
Division of Cardiology

Patricia and William L. Watson Jr., M.D. Award for Excellence in Clinical Medicine

The Watson Award is UT Southwestern’s highest honor in clinical care. Established in 2009 through a gift from Dr. William L. Watson Jr. – a UT Southwestern alumnus – and his wife, Patricia, it provides the opportunity to recognize a UT Southwestern faculty physician who exemplifies excellence in patient care, is a leader in advancing clinical innovations, and has had a profound impact on students, trainees, colleagues, and patients.

Sidarth Wakhlu, M.D.
Professor of Psychiatry

Leaders in Clinical Excellence Awards Selection Committee Members