2022 Presidential Award recipients recognized

The Presidential Awards ceremony, held April 6 at the Red Berry Estate, recognized 16 individuals and one team with awards given in the areas of employee excellence, teaching excellence (sustained and emerging), clinical excellence, and for distinguished research scholar and distinguished service to the institution.

Established in 1985, the Presidential Awards recognize exemplary performance by individuals who consistently excel in their positions and demonstrate a strong commitment to the mission and core values of UT Health San Antonio. The annual awards provide the university the opportunity to recognize outstanding faculty and staff contributions.

“Although our honorees hold very different positions and come from a variety of backgrounds, they all have one trait in common: a desire to contribute in a unique and meaningful way for the benefit of others, whether those are students, patients, fellow employees or members of the community at large,” said President William L. Henrich, MD, MACP, during the ceremony. “There would be no UT Health without the efforts of individuals, like our awardees, who give of themselves in the selfless service of others. We are very proud to honor you.”

As well as a plaque and monetary gift, the recipients were acknowledged with a congratulatory Senate Proclamation from the State of Texas by Senator José Menéndez.

Recipients and attendees may view and download photos of the awards ceremony for free here. Portraits of the award recipients can viewed here. Photo prints can be ordered through this platform or downloaded and printed at a location of choice.

The 2022 Presidential Award recipients are:

Distinguished Research Scholar

Nicolas Musi, MD, Professor and Director of the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging StudiesDivision of Diabetes, Department of Medicine, Long School of Medicine

Distinguished Service to the Institution

Paul B. Allen, Sr., DSc, MPAS, PA-C, Chair, Department of Physician Assistant Studies, School of Health Professions

Clinical Excellence

Daniel E. Perez, DDS, MS, FACS, Associate Professor and Program Director, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry

Anand Prasad, MD, FACC, FSCAI, RPVI, Professor, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Long School of Medicine

Teaching Excellence – Emerging

Sylvia Botros-Brey, MD, MSCI, Associate Professor/Clinical, Department of Urology, Medical Education and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Long School of Medicine

Gretchel Gealogo Brown, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, Office for Faculty Excellence, School of Nursing

Rekha Kar, PhD, Associate Professor/Clinical, Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, Long School of Medicine

Robert Nathanson, MD, FACP, Associate Professor/Clinical, Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, Long School of Medicine

Teaching Excellence – Sustained

Jon Courand, MD, FAAP, Professor and Vice Chair for Pediatrics, Graduate Medical Education, Long School of Medicine

Erin Nelson, MD, Professor and Vice Chair for Education, Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Long School of Medicine

Achint K. Singh, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Radiology, Long School of Medicine

Employee Excellence

Cheryl Banks, CPA, Department Administrator, Department of Pharmacology, Long School of Medicine

Eva Garcia-Rodriguez, Research Coordinator-Senior, Mays Cancer Center/Office of Education, Long School of Medicine

Sarah Lill, MA, Manager, Research Operations, Center for Research to Advance Community Health, Long School of Medicine

Mari Martinez, MPA, CPRA, Manager, Grants and Contracts, Office of Sponsored Programs

Jason Sandlin, Distributed Education Coordinator, Office of the Dental Dean, School of Dentistry

Team Excellence

Winter Storm Uri SNOVID-21 Response Team, Facilities Management

Team Leader: Raymundo Rivera, MS, MBA, PE, CxA, Executive Director, Engineer and Construction Management, Department of Facilities Management

Team Members:
Adam Arce, Utilities Operations-Senior, Department of Facilities Management
David Brahm, MS, Manager of Landscape and Grounds, Department of Facilities Management
Jeff Davidson, CEM, Manager of Energy Plants, Department of Facilities Management
Jennifer Johnson, AIA, PMP, CEFP, OSHA 30, Manager of Maintenance, Department of Facilities Management
Joe Lara, Maintenance Mechanic Lead, Department of Facilities Management
David Ortiz, MBA, Assistant Director of Financial Operations, Office of Financial Services
Jeff Patterson, Manager of Construction, Department of Facilities Management
Alfred Vitela, PE, LEED AP, Mechanical Engineer-Senior, Department of Facilities Management
David West, Manager of Utilities, Department of Facilities Management

View and download photos of the awards ceremony for free here. Photo prints can be ordered through this platform or downloaded and printed at a location of choice. The program for the 2022 Presidential Excellence Awards ceremony can be viewed here. Portraits of the award recipients can viewed here.

The video presented at the ceremony can be viewed below:

 

 

 

 

 

 



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