Graduate Medical Education

BEst Clinical TEaching Award

This award is given to a resident/fellow that demonstrates a consistent & remarkable enthusiam for teaching our medical students.

Mohamad Ali Cheaito, M.D. 

PGY-3 - Emergency Medicine

Nominator Note:

Mohamad Ali Cheaito is an exemplary candidate for the "Best Clinical Teaching Award" due to his outstanding contributions to medical education and educational leadership. Dr. Cheaito's impact on learners through bedside teaching is profound and far-reaching. His exceptional ability to translate complex concepts into practical, understandable terms has significantly elevated the educational experience of medical students and junior residents. As the driving force behind the "Teaching Huddle" initiative, Dr. Cheaito demonstrated leadership in implementing bedside teaching strategies that resulted in a noticeable enhancement of residents' clinical skills and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both residents and faculty members.

Dr. Cheaito has developed new curricula and educational innovations that transformed the program's academic curriculum. His multifaceted curriculum, featuring simulation-based training, case-based learning modules, and technology integration, received significant praise from residents and faculty, leading to improved satisfaction scores and overall educational experiences. Dr. Mohamad Ali Cheaito's exemplary teaching abilities, innovative curriculum development, scholarly contributions, impactful educational sessions, and leadership in medical education make him a highly deserving nominee for the "Best Clinical Teaching Award." His dedication to advancing medical education and enhancing the learning experiences of students and residents is evident in his numerous achievements and contributions to the field.

Excellence in PAtient Care Award 

This award is given to a resident/fellow who exemplies the highest standards in professionalism including compassion, commitment, honor & integrity, respect for the patients, colleagues, & all members of the healthcare team.

Zohaib Ahmed, M.D.

PGY-4 - Gastroenterology

Nominator Note: 

Dr. Ahmed's dedication to providing compassionate and professional patient care defines the values celebrated by The University of Toledo Excellence in Patient Care Award. During our extensive time together, as my internal medicine attending during my 3rd year of medical school and later as a fellow in gastroenterology while I was on 4th year electives, his commitment to patient care was consistently evident. Dr. Ahmed's genuine compassion and caring demeanor created a supportive environment for patients, fostering trust and comfort. He approached each patient encounter with empathy and respect, demonstrating a deep understanding of social determinants and patient centered care. For example, I’ll always remember his research presentation regarding substance abuse and liver transplantation and how communicated his empathy for patients suffering from addiction. Moreover, Dr. Ahmed's collaborative approach to patient care ensured comprehensive and holistic treatment. He actively engaged with interdisciplinary teams, demonstrating professionalism and integrity in all aspects of patient management. He consistently values the input of others, no matter their perceived status within the professional hierarchy, contributing to a healthy work and learning environment. In my experience, this environment only adds to the betterment of patient outcomes due to their positive perception of an efficient and collegial health care team. In recognition of Dr. Ahmed's excellence in patient care, I am pleased to nominate him for this award.

Professionalism as a Member of the House Staff 

This award is given to a resident/fellow who best exemplies professionalism & compassionate clinical care of patients as well as the science & art of medicine in the care of patients.

Sidra Saleem, M.D.

PGY-4 - Neurology

Nominator Note: 

Sidra is caring and thoughtful towards her peers, but she has a special warmth towards her juniors. While on service with her, she would make sure I was not overwhelmed or overburdened with patient tasks, she would voluntarily help me herself in my daily tasks, she prioritized teaching me along with the medical students. We at times hear from our senior residents that in residency we are responsible for our own learning, and I would see the majority of my seniors prioritize teaching the medical students and not help the junior residents, but Sidra would take out time and help me learn in my residency as well as complete daily patient tasks which I appreciated a lot.

She is a wonderful person to be around, everyone in our program loves to spend time with her. When she was on maternity leave, I would hear the nursing staff also say that they missed Dr Saleem and hope she comes back soon. I think this is a testament to her collegiality and her caring attitude towards all members of her team. We were all very happy to have her back! Sidra would make sure that all the residents requests and issues would be solved. Her door was always open to residents to discuss any issue no matter how small. Residency as demanding as it was made much easier by having Sidra who would listen to our concerns and then to her best possible capacity help our residents.

BEst Clinical TEaching Award

Jeff Cross, M.D.

PGY-5 – Orthopaedic Surgery

Professionalism as a Member of the House Staff 

Sumayya Naz, M.D.

PGY-5 – Neurology

Excellence in PAtient Care Award

Kara Richardson, M.D.

PGY-4 – OBGYN