Awards and Honors
Congratulations to the following faculty and staff for achieving special distinction this quarter:
Biochemistry
Dr. Suresh Alahari was chosen for the Society of American Asian Scientists in Cancer Research (SAASCR)
2026 Outstanding Achievement Award. The award is meant to recognize and acknowledge
senior professors for unparalleled, innovative research discoveries.
Cardiovascular Center of Excellence
Eric Lazartigues, PhD was awarded the Carl Ludwig Award by the American Physiological Society, which
honors an innovative investigator with major contributions toward understanding autonomic
regulation. Dr. Lazartigues’ research focuses on the role of the renin-angiotensin
system in cardiovascular diseases, with a particular interest in hypertension. Dr.
Lazartigues’ group has identified an enzyme (ACE2) that opposes the deleterious effects
of the renin-angiotensin system in the brain.
Cell Biology and Anatomy
Sonya Van Nuland, PhD, was awarded the L1 Fall Semester Award by the Aesculapian Society for teaching
excellence (image, left), while Dr. Hamilton Farris was the runner-up for the L2 Fall Semester award.
Dr. Van Nuland was also recognized by the New Orleans Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society for her commitment to humanism, teaching, and creating an environment that is kind, safe, and trustworthy for both patients and students.
Genetics
Dr. Lucio Miele was named a 2025 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
(AAAS), one of the highest honors in the global scientific community. Dr. Miele joins
a distinguished group of scientists, engineers, and innovators recognized for their
scientifically and socially impactful contributions to research, education, and the
advancement of science. AAAS Fellows are elected by their peers in recognition of
extraordinary achievements across disciplines, including research, teaching, technology
development, administration, and science communication. Dr. Miele was recognized for
his distinguished contributions to cancer experimental therapeutics and precision
medicine, particularly his work on Notch signaling in breast cancer and cancer immunity.
Medicine
Many faculty and sections were recently awarded for their excellence in teaching or
recognized by the Aesculapian Society:
- L2 Fall Semester Award Winner: Dr. Victoria Burke (Infectious Disease); also recognized: Dr. Michael Modica (Internal Medicine)
- L2 Spring Semester Award Winner: Dr. Taniya de Silva (Endocrinology); also recognized: Dr. Randolph Roig (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)
- Junior Faculty Award Winner: Dr. Shelby MacRae (Pulmonary Critical Care); also recognized: Dr. Alissa Ice (Internal Medicine - Baton Rouge)
- Department Award Winner: Internal Medicine - Baton Rouge; also recognized: Pulmonary Critical Care – New Orleans
Dr. Pia Chowdry (Hematology-Oncology) was awarded a University Medical Center STEM award, established
by UMC leadership to recognize providers who demonstrate service, teamwork, excellence,
and mentorship. Created to honor those who consistently go beyond expectations, this
award celebrates providers whose compassion, collaboration, and clinical excellence
make an extraordinary impact on patients, colleagues, and community.
Taniya de Silva, MD (Endocrinology) received the Leonard Tow Award, presented annually to one faculty member by the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) who is an exemplar of humanism in the care of patients and families. Awardees are selected through a nomination process and vote by the student body.
Matthew Foy, MD (Nephrology – Baton Rouge) was recognized by the New Orleans Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society for his commitment to humanism, teaching, and creating an environment that is kind, safe, and trustworthy for both patients and students.
Dr. Angela Johnson (Baton Rouge) was awarded the ACP Chapter Laureate Award. The Laureate Award honors
those Fellows or Masters of the College who have led by example in their unwavering
commitment to excellence in medical care, education, research and service to their
community, their state ACP Chapter and the American College of Physicians.
Dr. Johnson also was one of 24 distinguished women physicians recently nominated as a 2026 Exceptional Mentor by the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA). Chosen by colleagues, trainees, and leaders, these individuals have gone above and beyond to guide, inspire, and support the professional growth of women in medicine.
Gastroenterology IBD nurse Ann-Porter Uhlhorn was honored at UMC as this year's Daisy Award Recipient, an international award that
recognizes nurses who demonstrate exceptional technical/systems performance as well
as dedication to human connection.
Sarah Griffin, MD; Victoria Lulich McCray, MD; Lauren Miles, MD (Nephrology and Critical Care); and Nicholas Raush, MD have been selected for membership into the Louisiana Beta Chapter of the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society. Election to AOA signifyies a lasting commitment to professionalism, leadership, scholarship, research, and community service. Selection is based on gifted teaching, encouraging the development of leaders, supporting humanism, and promoting service.
Orthopaedic Surgery
Andrew G. King, MB, ChB, FRACS, FACS, FAOA, Emeritus Professor at LSU Health New Orleans, has been
recognized by America's Best in Medicine as a Renowned Orthopedic Surgeon and Educator.
Dr. King is a highly respected orthopedic surgeon and educator whose career spans over four
decades. His dedication to the diagnosis, treatment, and surgical management of spine
and scoliosis disorders in both children and adults has left an indelible mark on
the field of orthopedic surgery. Read the full story here.
Otolaryngology
Vilija Vaitaitis, MD, received the STEM (Service, Teamwork, Excellence, and Mentorship) Award at UMC
earlier this year.
Pediatrics
Nahla Dahr, MD; Amanda Messer, MD (Hospital Medicine); Jeffrey Surcouf, MD (Neonatology); and Jessica Zagory, MD (Pediatric Surgery) have been selected for membership into the Louisiana Beta
Chapter of the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society. Election to AOA signifyies
a lasting commitment to professionalism, leadership, scholarship, research, and community
service. Selection is based on gifted teaching, encouraging the development of leaders,
supporting humanism, and promoting service.
Drs. Dahr and Zagory were both also recognized by the New Orleans Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society for their commitment to humanism, teaching, and creating an environment that is kind, safe, and trustworthy for both patients and students.
Dr. Kelly Gajewski (Cardiology) received the Best Clinical Teacher of the Year Award at Manning Family Children's.
Dr. Ernesto Mejia (Cardiology) was recognized as the Manning Family Children’s Provider of the Quarter
(image, right).
Gratis Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Maria Pereda Ginocchio recently received the New Investigator Award at the Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Meetings for her Phase 1 Trial of Ruxolitinib added to Conditioning for Haploidentical or Mismatched Unrelated Donor Transplantation in Relapsed or Refractory Idiopathic Severe Aplastic Anemia research.
Physiology
Dr. Lisa Harrison-Bernard received the American Physiological Society Teaching of Physiology Section Claude
Bernard Distinguished Lectureship Award at the APS Summit. The award is presented
to the investigator with a history of excellence in education who is making outstanding
contributions to teaching and learning.
Psychiatry
Rahn Kennedy Bailey, MD was awarded the 2026 Black Psychiatrists of America Lloyd Elam, MD Memorial Award
for Lifetime Achievement.
Surgery
Through Dr. Ian Hodgdon’s leadership and initiative, LSU Health New Orleans is now officially an affiliate
network for the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium (LaSPACE). Dr. Hodgdon will serve
as LSUHSC’s LaSPACE Affiliate Representative. Through LaSPACE, all faculty or staff
members are now eligible to apply for funding opportunities.
Dr. Omer Kaymakcalan was named the 2026 University Medical Center Best Clinical Teacher of the Year.
Through Dr. Alison Smith's efforts and leadership, LSUHSC has been accepted into the LITES Network. LITES is a research network that supports trauma research areas including whole blood, hemorrhagic shock, TBA, breathing and airway management, and prehospital injuries.
Dr. Jessica Zagory was selected for membership into the LSUHSC New Orleans Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) for her commitment to humanism, teaching, and creating an environment that is kind, safe, and trustworthy for both patients and students.
Dr. Zagory was also selected for membership into the Louisiana Beta Chapter of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.