Rounds of applause: Summer 2022

Recent awards and achievements of the UF College of Medicine community

  • UF Diabetes Institute director Mark Atkinson, Ph.D. ’88, received the Distinguished Scientist Award from the Southeastern Universities Research Association, or SURA. SURA, a nonprofit consortium of over 60 research institutions in the southern United States and the District of Columbia, recognized Atkinson “for sustained leadership and significant research contributions that have improved the lives of patients living with Type 1 diabetes” and for work to prevent the disease in those at increased risk.

  • Melissa Burger, M.D., an assistant professor of anesthesiology, received a Best of Meeting Presentation award at the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists annual meeting for her abstract, titled “Next generation point-of-care coagulation testing technologies to improve patient blood management in cardiac surgery.”

  • Kevin Clarke, M.Ed., Ed.D., director of human resources at the College of Medicine, was recognized as an outstanding UF College of Education alumnus at the college’s annual Higher Education Doctoral Graduates Reunion and Recognition Celebration, hosted by the Institute of Higher Education.

  • Medical students John W. Figg and Miranda Solly are recipients of the 2022-23 Dr. Robert C. Knapp Medical Student Award. Given by Hearing the Ovarian Cancer Whisper, an organization that raises funds to support ovarian cancer research, the award is presented annually to outstanding Florida medical students to further their studies in the area of ovarian cancer.

  • Bruce A. Goldberger, Ph.D., a professor and chief of the division of forensic medicine, has received a distinguished service award from the Society of Forensic Toxicologists. Goldberger has been involved with the society for more than three decades, serving on various committees and as president in 2017.

  • Adjunct associate professor Laura Guyer, Ph.D., M.Ed., R.D.N., received the 2022 Dr. Harry Gibbs Legacy Award from the Healthcare Diversity Council. The council is a resource and platform for information on cultural awareness and services in the health care industry to promote culturally competent care, inclusiveness and equity.

  • Glenn Morris, M.D., M.P.H., director of the UF Emerging Pathogens Institute, has been recognized by the UF Institutional Biosafety Committee for 13 years of service to the board.

  • Evelyn Obregon, M.D., who completed her pediatrics residency at UF this summer and is now a fellow at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, received the 2022 Audrey L. Schiebler Award for Excellence in Child Advocacy, which is awarded annually to a UF pediatrics resident or fellow who has worked to improve the quality of life for children and families.

  • Carl Pepine, M.D., a professor in the division of cardiovascular medicine, received the Nanette Wenger, M.D., Award from the American Society for Preventive Cardiology. The recognition honors Wenger, a professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at Emory University, for her significant contributions as a champion for women’s heart health with a lectureship in her name.

  • Stefan Prokop, M.D., an assistant professor of pathology and director of UF’s Neuromedicine Human Brain and Tissue Bank, was recently recognized with the UF Office of the Provost Excellence Award for Assistant Professors. Each year 10 winners are chosen, with nominees coming from each of UF’s 16 colleges and IFAS. The awards are focused on junior faculty and recognize excellence in research.

  • Bruce Spiess, M.D., FAHA, an emeritus professor of anesthesiology, received the 2022 Presidential Lifetime Outstanding Service Award at the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists annual meeting.

  • Abel Torres, M.D., J.D., M.B.A., chair of the department of dermatology, was recognized as practitioner of the year by the Florida Academy of Dermatology. The award commends his long-standing commitment to the highest-quality patient care and dedicated leadership.

  • Sonal Tuli, M.D., chair of the department of ophthalmology, received a 2022 distinguished service award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, or AAO. The award is one of the academy’s highest honors and is presented for ongoing notable service to ophthalmology and the academy. Tuli aided the development of an AAO coronavirus web resource, which provided information and educational tools for other members to access.

  • Anesthesiology resident Allyson Tragesser, M.D. ’22, was awarded the 2022 J.S. Gravenstein Award for Excellence in Anesthesiology. The award is presented annually to a UF College of Medicine graduate who intends to pursue a career in anesthesiology.

  • Surgery resident Patrick W. Underwood, M.D., was named to the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Organization of Resident Representatives. The organization provides a venue for resident physicians to share input on the development of AAMC policy, and offers leadership opportunities for residents interested in academic medicine, serving as a vehicle for professional development activities for members.