Faculty and Staff Recognition 2025
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We are honored to present the 2025 College of Medicine & Life Sciences Faculty and Staff Recognition Awards.
We recognize faculty and staff nominees, honor individuals who have excelled in their careers, as well as recognize those who have made exceptional contributions to teaching, research, clinical care and service, and acknowledge individuals for their commitment to mentoring our students.
Join us in recognizing these faculty and staff members, listed in alphabetical order by recipient:
Dean’s Awards 2025
Dean’s Award for Early Career Clinical Excellence
Mani Askari, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine
Nominator Notes: “Since joining the University of Toledo faculty in 2022, Dr. Askari has become a trusted internist and mentor, widely respected by patients, trainees, and colleagues.” “His evaluations consistently highlight his ability to foster independent clinical reasoning and model professional integrity.” “His dual commitment to clinical excellence and medical education embodies the spirit of this award…”
Dean’s Award for Master Clinician
Ragheb A. Assaly, M.D.
Professor and Chief, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Executive Vice Chair, Department of Medicine
Nominator Notes: “As Associate and then Core Program Director for 25 years, Dr. Assaly shaped the
training of hundreds of residents with enduring emphasis on professionalism, scholarship,
and patient-centered care.” “Learners often describe him as “an inspiring teacher”
and “a clinician who takes a genuine interest in students.”” “His excellence in clinical
care is reflected in repeated recognition as a ‘Top Internist’ and in consistent listings
among the ‘Best Doctors’ in the region.” “What distinguishes Dr. Assaly is not only
his clinical acumen but also his vision for innovation in medical education.”
Dean’s Award for Support Staff Excellence
Amy Blevins
Clerkship and Curriculum Coordinator
Department of Emergency Medicine
Nominator Notes: “Through her commitment and reliability, she has become an essential part of the
team and a trusted resource for both colleagues and students. In every role, Amy has
consistently demonstrated professionalism, adaptability, and dedication to the success
of
the department.” “Her strong work ethic, initiative, and unwavering commitment exemplify
the core values of the College of Medicine and Life Sciences.” “Amy's dedication,
loyalty, and high ethical standards are evident in everything she does.” “It is because
of Amy's tireless effort and ability to manage so many moving parts that our EM clerkship
runs so smoothly.”
Dean’s Award for Faculty Career Achievement
Mark Burket, M.D.
Professor
Department of Medicine
Nominator Notes: “Dr. Burket has been recognized for his excellence with the “Best Doctors in America” Award, for 1996, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2010, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2023 as well as “America’s Top Doctors”, for the years 2002–2012, 2015-2019, and 2022-2024.” “He is one of the pioneers of coronary angioplasty and stents in Northwest Ohio and it is hard to believe that this was only 40 years ago.” “I can also say with great confidence that Mark is a physician’s physician. He knows their (patients) clinical problems, as well as their family, their passions, their activities and their social context.”
Dean’s Award for Outstanding Staff Career Achievement
Candace Busdiecker
Assistant Director
Office of Faculty Development and Affairs
Nominator Notes: “Since joining the Medical College of Ohio in 1995, Candy has provided steadfast leadership support in roles of increasing responsibility.” “Candy’s impact is felt across our college.” “Candace Busdiecker is a poster child of the administration in our organization. She models an exceptional work ethic while being approachable, flexible, highly committed to our mission and vision statements, and quintessentially representative of our sacred core values.”
Dean’s Award for Leadership Staff Excellence
Danielle Dougherty, M.B.A.
Director
Office of Medical School Admissions
Nominator Notes: “Danielle is the definition of leadership and excellence. Her willingness to go
above and beyond for students, our school, and our community is so inspiring. “ “In
summary, every day Danielle goes above and beyond what it is expected. She is an irreplaceable
asset to the department. Her work for the office of admissions over the 4 years she
has been at the university has shown how immensely dedicated she is, and I would conclude
that we are lucky to have her.”
Dean’s Award for Community-Based Practitioner Teaching Excellence
Katherine Gandert, M.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics
Nominator Notes: Students repeatedly highlight her as “phenomenal,” “the gold standard,” and “the best preceptor I could have ever had.” “In addition to her excellence as a preceptor, Dr. Gandert’s career reflects continuous commitment to pediatrics and to mentoring the next generation of physicians that includes discussions about tough topics focusing on teen mental health, parental autonomy, and the teenage sex talk. She exemplifies the mission of community-based education: grounding learners in compassionate, patient-centered care while fostering their professional development.”
Dean’s Award for New Investigator Research Excellence
Xiaohong Li, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Cell and Cancer Biology
Nominator Notes: “In a short time since joining our institution, Dr. Li demonstrated that she is an exceptional researcher who can attract extramural grant funding, convinced our esteemed Medical Research Society that her research is of exceptional merit, published number of manuscripts in journal with very high impact factor, and proved that she is a valuable faculty member and educator.” “She is a frequent speaker in different academic institutions in the US and abroad, bringing recognition to UToledo and COMLS.”
Dean’s Award for Advising Excellence
Deepa Mukundan, M.D.
Professor and Chair
Department of Pediatrics
Nominator Notes: “For many years, Dr. Mukundan has been an invaluable guide to medical students, offering advice on electives, IRBs, manuscript editing, and residency ranking — even during her busiest times, including flu and COVID peaks, or while traveling to conferences.” “Dr. Mukundan is a rare leader whose passion for advising reaches across all levels of the institution.” “Dr. Mukundan has created an environment where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired.” “Her contributions have bridged communication between departments and have opened further conversations surrounding advising,…”
Dean’s Award for Community-Based Practitioner Teaching Excellence
Drew Oostra, M.D.
Clinical Professor
Department of Medicine
Nominator Notes: “Dr. Oostra exemplifies the collaborative, dedicated educator who enhances the academic
environment at the University of Toledo and ProMedica Health System. “ “As a classical
hematologist and a dedicated educator, Dr. Oostra exemplifies high standards of clinical
instruction and compassionate patient care for the trainees who join him in clinic,
from preclinical students to Hem/Onc fellows. He intentionally brings a valuable learning
point to each interaction.”
Dean’s Award for Staff Impact
Kristi Roberts-Hoffman, M.Ed.
Program Manager
Office of Student Affairs
Nominator Notes: “Kristi has been an exemplary staff member over the past 5.5 years. She’s developed new ideas for student involvement, made meaningful connections with students, and students know they can count on her in their time of crisis.“ “Kristi’s impact extends far beyond her job description.” “Kristi embodies the mission of our College by supporting students with excellence and compassion.” “Kristi enables our students to live this mission and build careers they can be proud of. I don’t think you can find a staff member more supportive of our mission, our students, and being the best we can be.”
Dean’s Award for AHEC Faculty Teaching Excellence
Brian Sinishco, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Nominator Notes: “Again and again, Dr. Sinischo specifically mentioned by our student.” “He exemplifies the ideal preceptor and teacher. Most of us are fortunate to have had one or two really impactful teachers during our medical school training. I believe that Dr. Sinischo will be one of those examples for our students.” “I wish I could recruit Dr. Sinischo to be full-time COMLS faculty!”
Dean’s Award for UToledo COMLS Faculty Teaching Excellence
Guillermo Vazquez, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
Nominator Notes: “What makes Dr. Vazquez’s teaching truly impactful is not only the quantity of his teaching, but its quality.” “The impact of these efforts is reflected in consistently strong student evaluations. Students describe his teaching as ‘high yield’, ‘engaging’, ‘well-organized’, and ‘supportive’. They appreciate his ability to simplify difficult topics without losing rigor, and many highlight his dedication to their success.” “Dr. Guillermo Vazquez represents the absolute best of what we seek in medical education faculty.”
Dean’s Award for Research Excellence in the Basic Sciences
Jian-Ting Zhang, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Department of Cell and Cancer Biology
Nominator Notes: “Dr. Zhang has been continuously funded by NIH/NCI, DOD, and private foundations
for over 30 years” “At The University of Toledo, Dr. Zhang has not only been active
in promoting research within his home department of Cell and Cancer Biology, but also
in championing research across the medical school in his capacity as Senior Associate
Dean for Research. Indeed, he is a tireless advocate for the research enterprise at
the University.” “Since his arrival, Dr. Zhang has had a clear mission to increase
the number of NCI-funded
investigators in CCB. Through unwavering commitment and application of abundant
energy, he is effectively carrying out that mission and the number of NCI-funded faculty
has reached a level not seen before and continues to increase.”
Celebration Ceremony
We will celebrate their accomplishments at an in-person ceremony on Friday, Nov. 21, at 12:30 p.m. in HEB 105, where we’ll also hear reflections from their nominators as well as recognize nominees for each category.
Please join us.