Congratulations to the faculty, CRNAs, and staff who were selected as recipients of our department’s 2024 Chair’s Excellence Awards. These individuals are recognized by our Chair Dr. Aman Mahajan and department leaders for going above and beyond in their service to our patients and department. This annual award program was established to recognize and honor outstanding contributions by faculty, CRNAs, and staff who exemplify our guiding principles and core values and embody the attributes outlined by our clinical, research, and educational mission.
These individuals are recognized as ambassadors of our department’s expectations of values and behaviors. They drive excellence in everything they do, achieve ambitions (for themselves and others), enable quality improvements, provide exceptional patient care and support for colleagues, exemplify outstanding service through their work, and exhibit a positive and supportive attitude.
Our Chair’s Excellence Awards align with UPP’s and our department’s select shared values. We honor the following members of our department for their exceptional contributions in the below areas.
Compassionate Care
The following clinicians are recognized for demonstrating core humanistic values, including honesty and integrity, caring and compassion, altruism and empathy, respect for others, and trustworthiness, as well as for their attentiveness and extraordinary compassion in the care and treatment of patients and the community.
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| Jacques Chelly, MD, PhD, MBA UPMC Shadyside |
Zach Ligus, MD UPMC Mercy |
Jackie Miller, MSN, CRNA UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital |
Kristy L. Parrish, MSN, CRNA UPMC Presbyterian |
Professionalism
The following clinicians are highly regarded for their work ethic and interpersonal relationships, demonstrate a commitment to the highest practice standards and code of conduct, and exhibit a commitment to scholarship and advancing the field of anesthesiology.
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| Brendan Crowley, MSN, CRNA UPMC Presbyterian |
Tyler Smith, MD UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital |
Sara Straesser, MD UPMC Altoona |
Frank Watson, MSN, CRNA UPMC Network |
Exceptional Service
The following clinicians are recognized for their innovation and for driving solutions, as well as demonstrating consistent reliability and passion and dedication to providing service excellence.
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| Philip Adams, DO, FASA UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh |
Michael K. Chaklos, CRNA UPMC Shadyside |
Karen L. Ferguson, MSN, CRNA UPMC Digestive Health & Endoscopy |
Alexandra Nicholas, MD UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital |
Outstanding Leadership
The following clinicians inspire the team towards achieving excellence, make a positive impact on others and the world around them, practice empathy and understand others’ perspectives, value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, and exhibit an openness to new ideas and partnerships.
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| Melissa Dupilka, MSN, CRNA UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh |
Daniel Sabo, MD UPMC Shadyside |
Administrative Excellence
This award recognizes administrative staff for their professional excellence. Awardees consistently demonstrate expertise, reliability, and a strong work ethic, contributing significantly to the efficiency and effectiveness of our department. These individuals show remarkable dedication, innovative thinking, and a commitment to service excellence, making a positive impact on our department’s overall performance. Through their exceptional contributions, they support the department's mission and goals, ensuring a high standard of administrative support and fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
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| Cedric Gallas, MS Project Director |