College of Medicine and Life Sciences

Dean’s Award for Faculty Inclusion & Opportunity

Janet Moore, MSN, RN, CNP

Assistant Professor, Pediatrics

Nominator Note: I have worked directly with Janet for nearly 10 years in Pediatric Infectious Diseases in multiple capacities. She's been a key faculty member of the Ryan White Pediatric HIV team and she has been a key faculty member in multiple public health initiatives targeting congenital syphilis in the state of Ohio. … She's done an excellent job mentoring students and teaching other learners about how an inclusive environment promotes health – and conversely, how a non-inclusive environment can damage health.

Her work to improve health outcomes and eliminate health inequalities is second to none and these work efforts have had significant impact in our region in the areas of HIV and syphilis. 

Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence

Shuhao Qiu, M.D.

Assistant Professor, Medicine

Nominator Note: Dr. Qiu is nominated for the Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence due to his exceptional teaching accomplishments, profound impact on student success, and unwavering dedication to education excellence. His ability to engage and inspire students, evidenced by outstanding teaching evaluations and successful mentorships, combined with his innovative contributions to curriculum development and active participation in professional societies, makes him a truly deserving candidate. 

Dr. Qiu’s commitment to fostering a collaborative learning environment and his role as a mentor and advisor further highlight his exemplary contributions to medical education.

Dean’s Award for ProMedica Faculty Teaching Excellence

Kathleen Moltz, M.D.

Clinical Associate Professor, Pediatrics

Nominator Note: Dr. Moltz’s outstanding teaching accomplishments are evident in the high quality of her teaching, characterized by a dynamic and engaging approach that consistently receives exceptional evaluations from all learners. Her positive impact on the learners is profound; she inspires and motivates students to strive for excellence.

She dedicates countless hours both in and out of the classroom, serving as counselor, advisor, and active participant in resident groups. Her ability to challenge residents and students to reach their full potential is evident in the rigorous yet supportive learning environment she creates. 

Dean’s Award for AHEC Faculty Teaching Excellence

Samir Patel, M.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery

Nominator Note: Dr. Patel has been an AHEC preceptor since 2013 and has practiced Orthopaedic Surgery in Lima, Ohio, since 2005. Soon after receiving his faculty appointment, Dr. Patel began to take a more active role with students and expressed his interest in having students more frequently. In the 11 years Dr. Patel has been an AHEC preceptor, his office has gone from taking the occasional third- or fourth-year student for an Orthopedic Surgery elective to taking a student every single rotation for a portion of the third year required Surgery clerkship, in addition to the standard elective rotations. … 

He is always interested, involved, and willing to go the extra mile on behalf of the UToledo AHEC program.

Dean’s Award for Community-Based Faculty Teaching Excellence 

M. Hammad Rashid, M.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor, Medicine

Nominator Note: Dr Rashid is actively engaged with the medical education of the hematology and oncology fellows, residents, and medical students in both clinical and preclinical years. His enthusiasm for hematology and oncology education is clear, and the clinical acumen and pearls he shares with the students have helped to spark interest in our field for many students.

While students work with him in the ICE Program (preclinical) and clerkship years, the discussion of cases has led to several case reports and review articles with the medical students, residents, and fellows, led entirely by Dr. Rashid's enthusiasm for education and research, and exemplifies his passion for supporting our learners within the College of Medicine and Life Sciences to enhance their experience.

Dean’s Award for Basic Sciences Research Excellence

Matam Vijay-Kumar, Ph.D.

Professor, Physiology & Pharmacology

Nominator Note:

Dr. Vijay-Kumar is an outstanding Professor who has published vigorously with a tally of 66 papers over 2018- 2024. He is renowned as a thought leader in the field of gut microbiome research and, most notably, he sets himself apart from his peers by pioneering a new research direction focusing on how portosystemic shunting (PSS) predisposes to liver diseases. … His proposition for PSS to be recognized as a risk factor for liver cancer has been recognized at national and international levels, as exemplified by the 30 invited talks he has given on the subject.

His laboratory is well-funded; he obtained an R01 in 2023, and three of his postdoctoral fellows are recipients of career development awards.

Dean’s Award for Clinical Sciences Research Excellence

Rajesh Gupta, M.D.

Associate Professor, Medicine

Nominator Note: I have known and worked with Raj since joining the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine in 2015 and during this time, I have formed the absolute highest opinion of him both personally and professionally. … 
I meet and interact with Raj and his lab members routinely.

Based on these extensive interactions it is my recommendation that he is an exceptional candidate for this award based on his excellence in: 1) A sustained record of research productivity, as exemplified by high quality publications; 2) Sustained and current record of peer-reviewed/external research grant support; 3) Documented national and international recognition in cardiovascular medicine; and 4) Evidence that the majority of the research program was developed while at UToledo COMLS.

Dean’s Award for New Investigator Research Excellence 

Charles Thodeti, Ph.D.

Professor, Physiology & Pharmacology

Nominator Note: Dr. Thodeti is currently funded with an R01 grant and an American Heart Association Transformational grant, which he secured since his move to UToledo in 2021. He has published 10 research articles in peer­ reviewed journals within 3 years of joining the faculty. In this time frame, he also contributed two invited review articles and is writing an invited book chapter. His trainees have secured predoctoral and postdoctoral grants. 

Charles is a leader in his field of ion channel researchers. In 2023, he was elected as President of the Ohio Physiological Society. He organized a terrific meeting in Toledo, attended by all major universities in Ohio. He proactively advocates for our institution in national settings. Dr. Thodeti serves on important committees in our College, including the Research Advisory Council. Such an all-rounder like Charles is a rare gem.

Dean’s Award for Early Career Clinical Excellence

Danae Hamouda, M.D.

Associate Professor, Medicine

Nominator Note: Dr. Hamouda is an outstanding medical educator and an astute and compassionate physician who is highly sought after for advice and care of patients with complex hematologic and oncologic diseases. Since 2018, she has rapidly distinguished herself as a tireless, resourceful, dedicated, and talented academic teacher and mentor. …

She is the Pl of six active Precision Oncology Clinical Trials and has 17 peer-reviewed publications and has been a reviewer for the Medical Letter. Her clinical practice specializes in the treatment of patients with breast cancer and lung cancer along with a busy High-Risk Genetics Clinic. In her words, she is “ambitious and passionate about improving the care and outcomes for patients with cancer” as the best way to “educate the future leaders of our healthcare.”

Dean’s Award for Master Clinician 

Noor Pirzada, M.D.

Professor and Interim Chair, Neurology

Nominator Note: In many ways, Dr. Pirzada is the Neurologist that one calls up to diagnose, clarify, and manage neurological cases. This is very important because invariably he is spot on with the diagnosis and excellent in generating an expansive differential diagnosis. 

Dr. Pirzada also serves as a question writer for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology & Vascular Neurology Board Examination, American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine Training Program Inservice Exam, and an examiner for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Oral Board Examination.

He has mentored over 50 Neurology residents.

Dean’s Award for Master Clinical ProMedica Faculty

Howard Stein, M.D.

Professor, Pediatrics

Nominator Note: Dr. Stein has been a member of the NICU at ProMedica Ebeid Children’s Hospital for the past 30 years and has consistently demonstrated outstanding clinical skills and leadership. His extensive experience, including his roles as a Clinician, Scientist, Educator & Administrator; highlights his versatile expertise and commitment to providing the highest standard of care.

Dr. Stein’s recognitions are many, as evidenced by his numerous awards such as the Pediatric House staff Award for Outstanding Pediatric services.

Dean’s Award for Leadership Staff Excellence

Dagmar Martin, M.B.A.

Department Administrator 2, Surgery & Urology

Nominator Note: Dagmar has faithfully served this role for the past four years and helped guide both departments financially as well as helped to manage faculty, staff, and personnel at every level. Dagmar has consistently gone beyond her role to help efficiently and effectively navigate the complex relationships between UToledo, UTP, UTCOMLS and UTMC. 

Dagmar has always worked to foster an inclusive environment and has worked to help providers and staff to complete their work in a timely and professional manner. 

Dean’s Award for  Support Staff Excellence

Linda L. Ellis

Lab Aide, Cell & Cancer Biology

Nominator Note: Linda has been working in Cell and Cancer Biology as a Lab Aide for the past six years. Her job is to assist our labs with any tasks they need to help them focus on research. This task means one less job for the students and lab technicians to try to fit into their day and allows them more time to focus on research. 

Linda is the most organized, positive employee I’ve had the pleasure of working with. She comes to work every day ready to take on the challenge of the day no matter what it is. Linda leads by example, and we are very lucky to have her in Cell & Cancer Biology. She is a perfect example of an employee to represent support staff excellence at UToledo.

Dean’s Award for  Staff Rising Star

Jane Schaffer

Assistant to the Chair, Neurosciences

Nominator Note: Jane joined the Department of Neurosciences as an assistant to the chair in 2021; in her time with us, she has been nothing short of remarkable. With her assistance, I have been able to massively extend my productivity, take on new challenges, and continue to submit competitive grant applications in the face of massive changes at RSP for the often very tricky grant submission process.

Jane is truly a “Rising Star” through her dedicated support for grant submissions, adept handling of complex scheduling, welcoming professionalism as the department's “Disney Concierge,” skilled training assistance, and her reliable, compassionate support through challenging situations — all with a smile and amazing attitude.

Dean’s Award for Staff Impact

Lori LeGendre

Director, Reach Out and Read, Pediatrics

Nominator Note:

Since 2015, Lori LeGendre has been the Director of the Reach Out and Read Program. In her time as director, she has expanded the program greatly to include more sites around the northwest Ohio area. 

Lori’s dedication to this program has had an impact on many children in the area by introducing reading at an early age. Lori continues to apply for grants and other sources of funding to continue to expand this program for area children. Reach Out and Read is a national program, and Lori has made the program at UToledo a model for other programs to follow around the state and nationally.

Lori’s commitment to early child literacy makes her a strong candidate for the Staff Impact Award.

Dean’s Award for Outstanding Staff Career Achievement

Diane Durliat

Director, Body Donation Program, Medical Education

Nominator Note: Diane has been doing a phenomenal job serving our institution for the last 24 years. She has demonstrated commitment to student success through her diligent devotion to the Body Donation Program, which is an important cornerstone for the anatomy education of all the programs in the College of Medicine, including M.D., P.A. and MSBS. She is responsible for overseeing the entire program, which also has ties to other institutions in the region.

Diane is instrumental in running one of the successful programs in the College of Medicine with a positive turnover, even during the times of pandemic or budget crises. I believe it is important to recognize and appreciate the hard work and sincerity of Diane now more than ever.

Dean’s Award for  Faculty Career Achievement

Joan Duggan, M.D.

Professor, Medicine

Nominator Note: Dr. Duggan's career is marked by exceptional academic achievements, leadership, and contributions to infectious diseases. With over 25 years at The University of Toledo, she has served in key roles such as Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Development. Dr. Duggan has led multiple successful clinical programs, including the Ryan White programs.

Her research in HIV/AIDS and public health has secured numerous grants, leading to significant advancements in HIV treatment and prevention. She has also developed and led educational programs, earning multiple teaching awards. Dr. Duggan's mentorship has guided many medical professionals, and her professional affiliations and recognitions underscore her impact.