Awards and Accomplishments

2024 Family Medicine INSPIRE Award Recipients!

December 2024

The INSPIRE Awards honor the dedication and efforts of individuals who make a meaningful impact in our lives, our work, the lives of patients, and the clinic environment. Please see below for the list of winners. Beginning next week, the DFM Weekly Email will highlight an individual and their nomination story each week.

  • Leah Werner, MD, MPH, FAAFP, Assistant Professor (Founder & Director, OHSU Primary Care Climate Change & Health Program, Gabriel Park)
  • Erin Gallivan, RN, Advance Care Planning RN Coordinator (Advance Care Planning Team, Gabriel Park clinic)
  • Sumathi (Chummi) Devarajan, MBBS, Assistant Professor (Advance Care Planning Team, Medical Director of Geriatrics, Richmond clinic)
  • Eriko Onishi, MD, Associate Professor (Advance Care Planning Team, South Waterfront clinic)
  • Sherilyn DeStefano, MD, Assistant Professor (FM Sports Medicine Residency Core Faculty, Sports Medicine Fellowship, Gabriel Park clinic)
  • Idara Obotette, Immediate Care Program Operations Supervisor (Immediate Care Clinics)
  • Rose Navarro, RN, Registered Nurse (Primary Care Beaverton)
  • Jessica Macaluso, LPN, Clinic Operations Supervisor (Family Medicine at Scappoose)

Thank you to our winning team members for their contributions to the department and for embracing Inclusion and Equity, Noteworthiness, Service, Presence, Ingenuity, Respect, and Empathy!

Heather Holderness earns NAPCRG Outstanding Research Coordinator Award

As featured in OHSU News Accolades, Heather Holderness, M.P.H., a research associate in the OHSU Department of Family Medicine, has earned the North American Primary Care Research Group’s Outstanding Research Coordinator award. Recognized for making exceptional contributions to primary care research in a central support role, Holderness was nominated by OHSU’s Jen DeVoe, M.D., D.Phil., Nat Huguet, Ph.D., Steffani Bailey, Ph.D., and Rachel Gold, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Holderness was nominated because of her consistently outstanding organization, communication, and management of projects and teams, and contributions to the Family Medicine Research portfolio, the group said. Holderness was officially recognized at the NAPCRG’s 52nd Annual Meeting in November in Québec City, Canada.

NAPCRG is the world’s largest organization devoted to research in family medicine, primary care and related fields, including epidemiology, behavioral sciences, and health services research. NACPRG has bi-national governance (U.S.-Canada) and international research vision and outreach. NAPCRG’s Annual Meeting is the premier international forum for presenting new knowledge in primary care and advances in research methodology. NAPCRG is committed to a nurturing, informative and inspiring environment for all members.

2024 Highlights

The Claire Hays Montaigne Endowment was established in memory of Claire Hays Montaigne, who completed her family medicine residency at OHSU and was an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at OHSU when she died of metastatic melanoma in 2022. The first Annual Claire Hays Montaigne Award was awarded in June 2024 to Dr. Katie Pavlat and Dr. Ryan Nesbit Deane.

Wendy Warren, M.D., assistant professor and associate director of strategic development in the Department of Family Medicine at the Cascades East Family Medicine Residency Program, was named the 2024 Oregon Family Physician of the Year.  

“Dr. Warren is a true role model of what it means to be an outstanding family physician and patient advocate, and I can’t imagine anyone more deserving of this award than Wendy,” said Nellie Wirsing, M.D., associate professor and assistant director for residency education in the Cascades East Family Medicine Residency Program, in her award speech. “Her passion was and has always been obstetrics. She did more OB than most of the obstetricians in town. Wendy has delivered and cared for so many of the families in our community that it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t know her.”  

Read more. 

The OHSU School of Medicine Alumni Association recognizes distinguished alumni whose work impacts their communities, innovates their fields and reflects OHSU’s mission to deliver health care to all. Dr. Ray was awarded the Early Career Achievement Award for creating quality improvement systems for better patient care . Read more.

Check out this list of faculty and staff who recently received honors from the OHSU School of Medicine! 

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Catalogue of Awards

A list of awards and honors Family Medicine faculty and staff have received since the department's inception in 1971. 

Claire Hays Montaigne Award

The Claire Hays Montaigne Endowment was established in memory of Claire Hays Montaigne, who completed her family medicine residency at OHSU and was an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at OHSU when she died of metastatic melanoma in 2022.

  • The first Annual Claire Hays Montaigne Award was awarded in June 2024 to Dr. Katie Pavlat and Dr. Ryan Nesbit Deane

Student Mentor Awards

2024 Student Mentor Award Recipients: 

  • Anna, Bloom, M.D. was the recipient of the Robert B. Taylor Award, for student who best exemplifies the qualities of the ideal family physician. The award is named in honor of Dr. Robert B. Taylor, former Chair of the Department of Family Medicine
  • Alyssa Andretta, M.D., was the recipient of the Outstanding Family Core Clinical Award for demonstrating a superior understanding of and appreciation for the specialty as well as commendable professionalism and outstanding academic achievement.
  • Kip Beckwith, P.A. Student, received the William O. Stahl, M.D. Award for Oregon Rural Health Practitioners. This endowed fund established in honor of William O. Stahl. Created to support M.D. & P.A. students who are dedicated to pursuing a career in Oregon rural health.
  • Melissa Lemieux, Family Medicine Electives Coordinator, received the Peggy O’Neill Excellence in Student Education Award: A staff member who assists with student education and includes but not limited to: EJH MSE staff, clinic staff at OHSU, clinic staff at any student teaching site across Oregon, SOM staff, administrative staff for any clinic or clinician that enabled excellent teaching. Goes above and beyond expectations in their role.
  • Sarah Skog, M.D. (pictured below with Sean Robinson, M.D.), received the Fran Biagioli, M.D. Outstanding Didactic Teaching Award for exhibiting strong commitment to teaching and mentoring of medical students, demonstrates a true FM educator, able to work with all learner skill levels, adaptable educator with innovative teaching styles.
  • Amy Tubay, M.D., was the recipient of the Scott A. Fields, M.D., M.H.A. Outstanding Medical Student Teaching and Mentoring Award, for exhibiting strong commitment to teaching and mentoring of medical students, demonstrates a true FM educator, able to work with all learner skill levels, adaptable educator with innovative teaching.

INSPIRE Awards

The Department of Family medicine INSPIRE Awards celebrate and honor the hard work of our peers – those making a difference in our lives, our work, our patients lives, and in the clinic.

  •   Inclusion & Equity
  •   Noteworthy
  •   Service
  •   Presence
  •   Ingenuity
  •   Respect
  •   Empathy

DFM faculty, staff/non-faculty and/or teams were nominated by their peers by highlighting how the nominee, or team, embodies some or all of the INSPIRE characteristics

2023 Winners: 

  • Mohamed Alyajouri, Administrative Director, Dept. of Hospital Medicine (*Recognized for service at Orenco Station Primary Care clinic)
  • Derek Grimes, Medical Assistant (Scappoose)
  • Terrel Irvan, PAS Specialist (South Waterfront)
  • Catalina Ritzinger, Care Coordinator (Richmond)

2022 Winners: 

  • Danielle Anderson, Supervisor, Clinic Support (Richmond)​
  • Leah Gordon, Research Program Manager (Emma Jones Hall)​
  • The Integrated Behavior Health Team: (staff/non-faculty)​

Ramata Adebawo, Theresa Bonanomi, Jade Cheldelin, Adrienne Cardiel, David Casey, Catherine (Cat) Christ, Anne Connor, Marni Doerfler, Kristin Erickson, Adam Guffey, Nicole Hornberger, Luana Nery, Tyler Pickle, Janelle Rasmussen, Laisio (Lai) Saephan, Kimberly Walker, Christine Watson, Kathryn (Katie) White, Erica Martin, Kyle Higgins, Fern Hemmer, Kendyl Decourcey, Savanna Cates, Patrick Maloney, and Marilyn Mihacsi​

  • C. Estela Vasquez Guzman, Assistant Professor, Research (Emma Jones Hall)​
  • Scappoose Team: Michael Yetter, Ian Penner, and Ashley Atwood, Instructors​
  • Deb Cohen, Professor, Vice Chair of Research (Emma Jones Hall)​
  • Special Awardee – Claire Montaigne (Posthumus) 

2021 Winners (Inaugural year): 

  • Cheyanne Groves, Clinic Manager (South Hillsboro)​
  • Bre Gustafson, Program Technician 1, Student Education (Emma Jones Hall)​
  • Jeanine Smith, Interim Director, CVC Operations (South Waterfront Clinic) ​
  • Jennifer Schlobohm, Instructor, Director Behavioral Health (Richmond Clinic)​
  • Heather Angier, Assistant Professor (Research, Emma Jones Hall)​
  • Shelby Lee Freed, Instructor (Richmond Clinic)

Residency Section Awards

The Merle Pennington, M.D. Award

For Outstanding Resident Contribution  

Recipients between 1991 - 2008

  • 1991 Michael S. Booker, M.D. & Lisa Grill Dodson, M.D. 
  • 1992 Manya Blumberg Helman, M.D. 
  • 1993 Camille Callais Pitre, M.D. & Bruce Edward Thomson, M.D. 
  • 1994 Elinor Jean Tatham, M.D. & Cynthia Anne Woodson, M.D. 
  • 1997 Teresa Gipson, M.D. 
  • 1998 David B. Graham, M.D. & Frances Biagioli, M.D. 
  • 1999 Michael Schooling, M.D. 
  • 2000 Elizabeth Clark, M.D. 
  • 2001 Jim Little, M.D. 
  • 2004 Marina Mezey, M.D. 
  • 2005 Rima Chamie, M.D. 
  • 2006 Liz Powers, M.D. 
  • 2007 Heidi Gullett, M.D. 
  • 2008 Cat Livingston, M.D.  

Faculty Teacher of the Year

By Graduating Residents, OHSU Family Medicine

Recipients from 2007 - 2024:

  • 2007 Johanna Warren, M.D. 
  • 2008 Frank Dornfest, M.D. 
  • 2009 Jennnifer Lochner, M.D. 
  • 2010 Craig D. Williams, Pharm.D.  
  • 2011 Steven Wahls, M.D. 
  • 2012 Ryan C. Petering, M.D. 
  • 2013 Daisuke Yamashita, M.D. 
  • 2014 Joe Skariah, D.O., M.P.H. 
  • 2015 Smriti Ohri, M.D. 
  • 2016 Holly Hofkamp, M.D. 
  • 2017 Holly Hofkamp, M.D. 
  • 2018 Christina Milano, M.D. 
  • 2019: Details coming soon 
  • 2020: Rebekah Schiefer, MSW, LCSW
  • 2021: Details coming soon
  • 2022: Tom Phanthavady, M.D. (Kaiser Beaverton Faculty)
  • 2023: Brian Park, M.D., M.P.H.
  • 2024: Matt Chan, M.D.

Suzanne Fournier Award 

For Outstanding Residency Improvement 

Recipients from 2008 - 2024:

  • 2008 Dahra Perkins, M.D. 
  • 2009 Ryan Petering, M.D. 
  • 2010 Thayer White, M.D. 
  • 2011 Mellisa Pensa, M.D. 
  • 2012 Ashley E. Hart, M.D. 
  • 2013 Filza Akhtar, D.O. 
  • 2014 Thomas Henry Nguyen Quattlebaum, M.D. 
  • 2016 Anthony Cheng, M.D. 
  • 2017 Wilfredo Giordano-Perez, M.D. 
  • 2018 Alexander Zweig, M.D. 
  • 2019 Ben Hersh, M.D. 
  • 2020: Jean Yau, M.D.
  • 2021: Details coming soon
  • 2022: Justin Lee, M.D.
  • 2023: Andrew Wang, M.D.
  • 2024: Sydney Landreth, M.D.

Outstanding Capstone Project

For outstanding achievement in capstone project 

  • 2016 Anthony Cheng, M.D. 
  • 2017 Nathan Brooks, M.D., M.P.H. & Jade Koide, M.D. 
  • 2018 Amelia Baker, M.D., M.P.H. 
  • 2019 Mustafa Alavi, M.D. & Ben Hersh, M.D. 
  • 2020: Melissa Logan, M.D.; Amanda Aninwene, M.D.
  • 2021: Details coming soon
  • 2022: Details coming soon
  • 2023: Details coming soon
  • 2024: Chase Mussard, M.D.

OHSU Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine Hall of Fame

To honor those who, through teaching and personal example, have advanced Family Medicine in Oregon 

  • Merle Pennington, M.D. 
  • Laurel G. Case, M.D. 
  • William A. Fisher, M.D. 
  • Peter A. Goodwin, M.D. 
  • Robert B. Taylor, M.D. 
  • James F. Calvert, M.D. 
  • John W. Saultz, M.D. 

Laurel Case, M.D. Visiting Professorship in Family Medicine 

  • Warren Newton, M.D., M.P.H. 
  • Frank DeGruy III, M.D. M.S.F.M. 
  • Robert Phillips, Jr. M.D., M.S.P.H. 
  • Eric Holmboe, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.R.C.P 
  • Steven Woolf, M.D., M.P.H 
  • 2024 Early Career Achievement Award - Moira Ray, M.D. 
  • 2024 OHSU APP Educator Award - Emily Jacobsen, M.P.A.S., P.A.-C.
  • 2024 Scholarly Projects Excellence in Mentoring Award - Nathalie Huguet, Ph.D.
  • 2024 Honors from OHSU School of Medicine for outstanding contributions in teaching, research and clinical care - Moira Ray, M.D., M.P.H., Katie Putnam, M.D., M.P.H., and Emily Jacobson, M.P.A.S, P.A.-C, 
  • 2024 Continued Professional Development Awards Recipients - Rachel Bengtzen, M.D. Sumathi Devarajan, M.D., Ryan Petering, M.D., Eriko Onishi, M.D., Leah Werner, M.D., Eric Herman, M.D., Caroline Barrett, M.D., Johanna Warren, M.D., Neesha Patel, M.D., Sean Robinson, M.D.,
  • 2024 Clinical Star Award Recipients: Annie Buckmaster, M.D. Ella Clark-Nicholson, PA-C, Shawna Cozens, M.P.H, M.P.A.S., Jessie Flynn, M.D., Brian Garvey, M.D., M.P.H., Kristin Gilbert, M.D., Jason Kroening-Roché, M.D., Carolyn Hall, D.N.P., FNP, Charles Lev, L.Ac., Ashley Little, D.O., Eriko Onishi, M.D., Maria Palazeti, M.D., Hunter Poarch,  M.D., Katie Putnam, M.D., Moira Ray, M.D., M.P.H., Sean Robinson, M.D., Ben Schneider, M.D., Katharine Spira, F.N.P., Robin Vest, M.D. 
  • 2024 OHSU QI Impact Award - Ashley Atwood, PA-C
  • 2023 The HCC Team has chosen the Family Medicine Clinic at Gabriel Park as the recipient of the annual OHSU Health HCC Impact Award for 2023
  • 2022 Outstanding Contribution to Innovation in New Models of Clinical Care and Interdisciplinary Teams (Focus Area: New Models of Clinical Care) - Jessie Flynn, M.D.
  • 2022 OHSU Nurse of the Year - Advanced Practice: Mary Bartlett, D.N.P., FNP-BC, CNE
  • 2022 SoM UME Faculty Excellence in Education Award - Rick Moberly, M.D. 
  • 2022 Faculty Senate Distinguished Faculty Collaboration Award - Christina Milano, M.D. 
  • 2022 OHSU Gender Equity in Academic Health and Medicine (GEAHM) Recognition of Frontline Heroes and Hidden Heroes - Suzanne Sullivan
  • 2022 OHSU Gender Equity in Academic Health and Medicine (GEAHM) Recognition of Frontline Heroes and Hidden Heroes - Joyce Hollander-Rodriguez, M.D.
  • 2022 OHSU Gender Equity in Academic Health and Medicine (GEAHM) Recognition of Frontline Heroes and Hidden Heroes - Shelby Freed, , M.S.N., F.N.P. - B.C.
  • 2022 Esther Pohl Lovejoy Leadership Award  - Joyce Hollander-Rodriguez, M.D.

Appointments

  • 2024 Associate Dean for Native American Health - Erik Brodt, M.D.
  • Assistant Dean of Rural Undergraduate Medical Education - Eric Wiser, M.D.

2024 OAFP Family Physician of the Year - Wendy Warren, M.D. 

  • 2024 Phillips Futures Fellowship, selected by the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) - C. Estela Vasquez Guzman, Ph.D. 
  • 2024 VitalTalk Faculty Leadership Award - Eriko Onishi, M.D.
  • 2023 North American Primary Care Group (NAPCRG) President’s Award - Melinda Davis, Ph.D., M.C.R. 
  • 2023 STFM Excellence in Education Award - Pat Eiff, M.D. 
  • 2023 STFM F. Marian Bishop Leadership Award - John Saultz, M.D.

STFM Resident Teacher Award

For outstanding skills and interest in teaching 

Recipients from 2000 - 2024:

  • 2000 Elizabeth Callaghan, M.D. 
  • 2001 Justin Denny, M.D. 
  • 2002 Bruin Rugge, M.D. 
  • 2003 Andrew Mendenhall, M.D. 
  • 2004 Michelle Adler, M.D. 
  • 2005 Ted Chaplain, M.D. 
  • 2006 Johanna Warren, M.D. 
  • 2007 Summer Liston, M.D. 
  • 2008 Justin Wheeler, M.D. 
  • 2009 Daisuke Yamashita, M.D. 
  • 2010 Nichole Yonke, M.D. 
  • 2011 Benjamin Schneider, M.D.  
  • 2013 Kathleen R. Chung, M.D. 
  • 2014 Laurel Brook Witt, M.D., M.Phil 
  • 2016 Rita Lahlou, M.D., M.P.H. 
  • 2017 Nathan Brooks, M.D., M.P.H. 
  • 2018 Whitney Roper, M.D. 
  • 2019 Mustafa Alavi, M.D.  
  • 2019: Details coming soon
  • 2020: Melissa Logan, M.D.
  • 2021: Details coming soon
  • 2022: Justin Lee, M.D.
  • 2023: Ryan Nesbit Deane, M.D.
  • 2024: Lindsay Thimmig, M.D.

Appointments

  • 2024 Elected as a member of the National Academy of Medicine - Miguel Marino, Ph.D.
  • 2024 American Diabetes Association’s Research Policy Committee as the first primary care representative - Deb Cohen, Ph.D. 
  • 2024 American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) Board of Directors and to the role of AMSSM Co-Chair for the Fellowship Committee - Melissa Novak, D.O.
  • 2024 American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Commission on Commission of Education (COE) - Mako Wakabayashi, M.D.

Article Library

Read archived articles that highlight events, activities, and achievements across OHSU Family Medicine.