UTCOMLS Faculty Recognition Nominations

Committee:

Members of the Faculty and Staff Awards Committee will be appointed by the Dean of College of Medicine and Life Sciences (COMLS) and will be composed of COMLS faculty and staff, with committee membership reviewed on an annual basis. In general, recent award winners will comprise the majority of the committee, with four to six additional faculty and staff that have previous experience with the Awards Committee also being appointed. To minimize conflicts of interest, department chairs and division chiefs will not be appointed to the Awards Committee, unless they are recent award winners. The Awards Committee members will review the nominations, along with supporting information. They will evaluate, rank, and discuss candidates for each award using defined criteria (see below) to determine the winners. Committee members will be excluded (i.e., must not participate or be present) from voting and/or discussions of individual candidates if they have nominated a candidate for an award, written a letter of support for a candidate for an award, or are in the same department or division as one of the candidates for an award.

The chair of the Awards Committee will be the Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Affairs and is a voting members of the Awards Committee and will lead the committee discussions. The committee’s work and deliberations are confidential. As such, committee members should not contact anyone outside of the Awards Committee to request additional information about candidates. Any clarifications or additional information must be requested by the chair.

Guidelines:

Click on the tabs below to see guidelines for each award.

Dean’s Awards for Teaching Excellence 2026

Eligibility:

Full-time or part-time faculty members are eligible.
Retired faculty members are not eligible.
Previous awardees are not eligible for the same award category.
If sufficient nominations are not received for any category, or if candidates do not meet the requirements, the committee will recommend that no award be given.
Nominations need to be submitted through COMLS Faculty members which includes our faculty colleagues at ProMedica, AHEC, and community sites.

Criteria:

Outstanding teaching accomplishments measured in part by the quality of teaching, positive impact on students, time commitment, education publications, national involvement in education-based organizations, etc.
Attitude that excites and motivates students to strive for excellence.
Ability to challenge students to do their best.
Evidence of effectiveness in the classroom.
Interaction with students outside the classroom, as a counselor, advisor, or group participant.
Participation in revitalization of courses and curriculum.
Evidence of professional growth as a teacher.
Teaching evaluations from the award year must be included in the nomination packet.

Previous Awardees:

UToledo COMLS Faculty Teaching Excellence

2003 Lawrence Elmer, Ph.D.
2004 No awardee
2005 No awardee
2006 No awardee
2007 Cathi A. Badik, M.D.
2007 David P. Bellian, M.D.
2007 Robert Blumenthal, Ph.D.
2007 Carlos Baptista, M.D.
2008 Randall Worth, Ph.D.
2008 Carol Bennett-Clarke, Ph.D.
2009 No Nomination
2010 Paul Schaefer, M.D.
2010 Joseph Margiotta, Ph.D.
2010 Steven Farrell, M.D.
2011 Mark Hankin, M.D.
2011 Vicki Ramsey Williams, M.D.
2011 Sharleen Suico, M.D.
2011 Mary Wroblewski, M.D.
2012 No awardee
2013 Cynthia Smas, D.Sc.
2013 Krishe Menezes, M.D.
2013 Christopher Lynn, M.D.
2013 Viviana P. Ferreira, Ph.D.
2014 Ali Nawras, M.D.
2014 Joseph Sferra, M.D.
2015 Hongyan Li, M.D.
2015 Jacob Bieszczad, M.D.
2016 Laura Brown, M.D.
2016 Ruby Nucklos, M.D.
2016 Nitin Puri, M.D., Ph.D.
2017 Mehmood Rashid; M.D.
2017 Kevin Pan, M.D., Ph.D.
2018 No awardee
2019 Kathryn Eisenmann, Ph.D.
2019 Coral Matus, M.D.
2020 Jeremy Laukka, Ph.D.
2021 Nezam Altorok, M.D.
2022 Catherine Van Hook, M.D.
2023 Bindu Menon, Ph.D.
2024 Shyhao Qiu, M.D.
2025 Guillermo Vazquez, Ph.D.

Community-Based Practitioner Teaching Excellence

2007 Johnathon K. Nicholson, M.D.
2008 Mary Beth Wonderly, M.D.
2009 No Nomination
2010 Masud Hashmi, M.D.
2011 John Christian Zona, M.D.
2012 No awardee
2013 William D. Harvey, M.D.
2014 No awardee
2015 No awardee
2016 Carl Wehri, M.D.
2017 Richard Paat, M.D.
2018 M. Hammad Rashid, M.D.
2019 No awardee
2020 No awardee
2021 No awardee
2022 No awardee
2023 No awardee
2024 Marsha Paul, M.D.
2025 Katherine Gandert, M.D.

AHEC Faculty Teaching Excellence

2020 Prasad Kakarala, M.D.
2021 Michael Bielefeld, M.D.
2022 Jodi Tinkel, M.D.
2023 Darel Hotmire, D.O.
2024 Samir Patel, M.D.
2025 Brian Sinishco, M.D.

ProMedica Faculty Teaching Excellence

2021 Michael Mattin, M.D.
2022 Steven Zook, M.D.
2022 George Darah, D.O.
2023 Richard Simman, M.D.
2024 Kathleen Moltz, M.D.
2025 Drew Oostra, M.D.

Dean’s Awards for Research Excellence 2026

Eligibility:

Full-time or part-time faculty members are eligible.
Retired faculty members are not eligible.
Previous awardees are not eligible for the same award category.
If sufficient nominations are not received for any category, or if candidates do not meet the requirements, the committee will recommend that no award be given.
Nominations need to be submitted from COMLS Faculty members which includes our faculty colleagues at ProMedica and AHEC sites.

Criteria:

New Investigator Research Excellence

This award is for investigators who have been at UToledo COMLS for less than or equal to six (6) years;
An emerging record of research productivity, as exemplified by high-quality publications (first or senior author) in well-recognized, peer-reviewed journals (please include impact factor for each journal);
Currently-funded peer-reviewed/external research grant support, with preference given to nominees with multiple grants;
A competitive Web of Sciences Based on Clarivate Analytics;
Documented national recognition for creativity in their specific area of expertise (e.g., invited presentations at national conferences);
The majority of their research was conducted at UToledo COMLS.

Research Excellence in the Basic Sciences

Six (6) or more years of full-time appointment at UToledo COMLS.
A sustained record of research productivity, as exemplified by high-quality publications (first or senior author) in well-recognized, peer-reviewed journals (please include impact factor for each journal and candidate Web of Sciences Based on Clarivate Analytics).
Sustained (i.e., previous) and current record of peer-reviewed/external research grant support.
Documented national and international recognition in their specific area of expertise (e.g., invited presentations at national and international conferences);
Evidence that the majority of the research program was developed while at UToledo COMLS.

Research Excellence in the Clinical Sciences

Six (6) or more years of full-time appointment at UToledo COMLS.
A sustained record of research productivity, as exemplified by high-quality publications (first or senior author) in well-recognized, peer-reviewed journals (please include impact factor for each journal and candidate Web of Sciences Based on Clarivate Analytics).
Sustained (i.e., previous) and current record of peer-reviewed/external research grant support.
Documented national and international recognition in their specific area of expertise (e.g., invited presentations at national and international conferences);
Evidence that the majority of the research program was developed while at UToledo COMLS.

Previous Awardees:

New Investigator Research Excellence

2005 David Giovannucci, Ph.D.
2006 No awardee
2007 No awardee
2008 No awardee
2009 No awardee
2010 Ivana de la Serna, Ph.D.
2011 Stephan Patrick, Ph.D.
2011 Guillermo Vazquez, Ph.D.
2012 No awardee
2013 Kathryn Eisenmann, Ph.D.
2014 Viviana Fereira, Ph.D.
2015 Jason Huntley, Ph.D.
2016 Terry Hinds, Ph.D.
2017 No awardee
2018 No awardee
2019 Matam Vijay-Kumar, Ph.D.
2020 Saori Furuta, Ph.D.
2021 Saurabh Chattopadhyay, Ph.D.
2022 Ritu Chakracvarti, Ph.D.
2023 Tao Yang, Ph.D.
2024 Charles Thodeti, Ph.D.
2025 Xiaohong Li, Ph.D.

Research Excellence-Basic Sciences

2020 David Kennedy, Ph.D.
2021 Jennifer Hill, Ph.D.
2022 Beata Lecka-Czernik, Ph.D.
2023 Dayanidhi Raman, Ph.D.
2024 Matam Vijay-Kumar, Ph.D.
2025 Jian-Ting Zhang, Ph.D.

Research Excellence-Clinical Sciences

2008 Christopher Cooper, M.D.
2009 No awardee
2010 James Willey, M.D.
2011 No awardee
2012 No awardee
2013 No awardee
2014 E. Ishmael Parsai, Ph.D.
2015 No awardee
2016 No awardee
2017 No awardee
2018 No awardee
2019 No awardee
2020 No awardee
2021 Xin Wang, M.D., Ph.D.
2022 No awardee
2023 No awardee
2024 Rajesh Gupta, M.D.
2025 No awardee

Dean’s Awards for Clinical Excellence 2026

Eligibility:

Full-time or part-time faculty members are eligible.
Retired faculty members are not eligible.
Previous awardees are not eligible for the same award category.
If sufficient nominations are not received, or if candidates do not meet the requirements, the committee will recommend that no award be given.
Nominations need to be submitted through COMLS Faculty members which includes our faculty colleagues at ProMedica, AHEC, and community sites.

Criteria:

The purpose of this award is to recognize clinicians who serve as outstanding and aspirational examples of the finest qualities of the medical practitioner – essentially the “doctors’ doctor.” The successful award recipient will have demonstrated contributions of enduring significance or early career clinical excellence for the clinical mission of The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences.

Nominees should demonstrate:

1. Evidence of excellence in clinical care.
Examples would include:

A. Internal and external recognition;
B. Recipient of the APC Master Teaching Award, “Best Doctor” recognition, etc.);

AND
2. Evidence of excellence in clinical teaching.
Examples would include teaching awards and outstanding teaching evaluations and scores.

Previous Awardees:

Master Clinician

2019 Ali Hasan, M.D.
2020 Basil Akpunonu, M.D.
2021 Lawrence Elmer, M.D.
2022 Ali Nawras, M.D. (UToledo)
2022 John Stengle, M.D. (ProMedica)
2023 Kevin Phelps, D.O.
2024 Noor Pirzada, M.D.
2024 Howard Stein, M.D.
2025 Ragheb Assaly, M.D.

Early Career Clinical Excellence

2022 Rajesh Gupta, M.D.
2023 Fadi Safi, M.D.
2024 Danae Hamouda, M.D.
2025 Mani Askari, M.D.

Dean’s Award for Advising Excellence 2026

Eligibility:

Full-time or part-time faculty members are eligible.
Retired faculty members are not eligible.
Previous awardees are not eligible for the same award category.
If sufficient nominations are not received for any category, or if candidates do not meet the requirements, the committee will recommend that no award be given.
Nominations need to be submitted through COMLS Faculty members which includes our faculty colleagues at ProMedica and AHEC sites.

Criteria:

Candidates must have made outstanding contributions to the training, advising, and/or mentoring of graduate students, medical students, and/or postdoctoral/clinical fellows, above and beyond the expected educational duties of all faculty. Candidates also may be considered for this award with a track record of outstanding junior faculty mentoring. Specific information must be provided about advising and/or mentoring in the most recent academic year.

Previous Awardees:

2019 Sadik Khuder, Ph.D.
2020 Ragheb Assaly, M.D.
2021 Dani Zoorob, M.D.
2022 Joel Kammeyer, M.D.
2023 Mohamed Moussa, M.D.
2024 No Nomination
2025 Deepa Mukundan, M.D.

Dean’s Award for Faculty Career Achievement 2026

Eligibility:

Full-time faculty members with a minimum of 15 years of service in the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences are eligible.
Retired faculty members are not eligible.
Previous awardees are not eligible for the same award category.
If sufficient nominations are not received, or if candidates do not meet the requirements, the committee will recommend that no award be given.
Nominations need to be submitted from COMLS Faculty members which includes our faculty colleagues at ProMedica and AHEC sites.

Criteria:

The recipient of the Dean’s Award for Faculty Career Achievement must be a senior faculty member who is well-respected for exceptional academic achievements, strong leadership and who has established prominence in his/her area of expertise. This individual is also recognized for outstanding citizenship and the tremendous impact she/he has had on the institution.

Examples of career achievement include, but are not limited to, the following:

Development and directorship of a successful clinical program which advances the vision and mission of The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences.
Development and leadership of programs successful for institutional improvement which advances the vision and mission of The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences.
Development and leadership of programs in basic biomedical science research or clinical research which have made outstanding contributions to the missions and vision of The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences.
Development and leadership of educational programs, including the creation and/or implementation of new courses and major improvement of current courses which advances the mission and vision of The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences.

Previous Awardees:

1999 Amir Askari, Ph.D. and Maurice Manning, Ph.D.
2000 John Rapp, Ph.D., DVM
2001 Peter White, M.D.
2002 Jagadish Jhunjhunwala, M.D.
2003 Roberto Franco, M.D.
2004 Patrick Mulrow, M.D.
2005 Keith Schlender, Ph.D.
2006 Richard Hudson, Ph.D.
2007 Kenneth Bachmann, Ph.D. and Jeri Milstead, Ph.D.
2008 Roland Skeel, M.D. and Doug Wilkerson, Ph.D.
2009 no awardee
2011 no awardee
2012 no awardee
2013 Steven Selman, M.D.
2014 no awardee
2015 Blair P. Grubb, M.D.
2016 Dan Olsen, M.D.
2017 Nabil Ebraheim, M.D. and Gretchen Tietjen, M.D.
2019 Joseph Ryno, D.O.
2020 William Gunning, Ph.D.
2021 Basil Akpunonu, M.D.
2022 Ragheb Assaly, M.D.
2023 Deepak Malhotra, M.D.
2024 Joan Duggan, M.D.
2025 Mark Burket, M.D.

Dean’s Award for Humanism 2026

Eligibility:

Full-time or part-time faculty members are eligible.
Full-time or part-time administrative staff are eligible.
Retired faculty members are not eligible.
Previous awardees are not eligible for the same award category.
If sufficient nominations are not received for any category, or if candidates do not meet the requirements, the committee will recommend that no award be given.
Nominations need to be submitted through COMLS Faculty members which includes our faculty colleagues at ProMedica, AHEC, and community sites.

Criteria:

A faculty or administrative staff member who exemplifies the principles of humanism and professionalism in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences campus.
An individual who compassionately inspires co-workers while executing high ideals in the practice of leadership.
An individual who defines emotional intelligence, particularly self-awareness and self-regulation.
An individual who effectively models the tenets of empathy, intellectual diversity, and motivation.
An individual who altruistically and uniformly places people above themselves.
An individual who possesses the passion to drive professionalism throughout the College of Medicine and Life Sciences.
An individual who consistently demonstrates compassion, respect, sensitivity and empathy in all aspects of the delivery of care to patients (for clinical faculty or staff).

Previous Awardees:

New award, no awardees to date.

Awards:

This award will be presented at the COMLS Dean's Faculty and Staff Recognition Reception and the COMLS Dean's Faculty and Staff Awards Meeting.
Photographs of each recipient will be displayed on a plaque in the lobby of Mulford Library for approximately one year.
This recognition will be part of the portfolio for each faculty member and will assist in determining promotions, tenure, and salary increases, as applicable.

Nominations:

Any faculty member of the College of Medicine and Life Sciences can make nominations. Students, student groups and residents are encouraged to participate in the nominating process by providing supporting information. All nominations must be made through a COMLS faculty member, which includes our faculty colleagues at ProMedica and AHEC sites.
For each nomination, an updated CV, teaching evaluations from the award year (for Teaching Excellence Awards), and maximum of 250-word recommendation (maximum 300-word recommendation for Humanism Award) MUST be submitted through the online form below. Updated CVs should be obtained from department chairs.
Although not required, a maximum of 10 pages of supporting letters/information may be submitted.
If your nominee is selected as a candidate for this award, you may be contacted to introduce your nominee at the Awards ceremony.
Nominations from more than one source (i.e., students, faculty, residents) strengthen the case for candidates. However, the number of nominations is not, in itself, a sufficient criterion for receiving the award.
Information concerning nominations received in previous years is viewed as indicative of continuous success and strengthens the case for a candidate.

Nominating Process:

Notifications from the COMLS Dean to solicit nominations are emailed to all faculty members in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences and to the members of the College of Medicine Executive Committee followed by email reminders. Department chairs are encouraged to seek participation from residents and graduate students.
The Office of Student Affairs contacts students to encourage their participation. Although formal nominations must be submitted through a COMLS Faculty member.
Nominations are accepted via web form below.
The submission deadline is final. No exceptions.
All nominations are confidential. Faculty members should NOT be notified of their nominations.
The COMLS Dean’s Office will arrange for the selection committee to meet in a timely fashion prior to the Faculty and Staff Recognition Reception and have all nominations and supporting materials available for the committee to review in advance of the meeting.
The Awards Committee Chair will present the Committee’s recommendations to the COMLS Dean, in writing, immediately after the voting is completed.
Recipients and their department chairs will be notified by the COMLS Dean’s Office.

College of Medicine and Life Sciences