Congratulations to our nominees!
Thirty-six physicians, providers and nurses have been nominated by members of Lutheran’s medical staff to receive our annual awards honoring the best among us in loyalty, partnership and clinical excellence: our Physician of the Year, Advanced Practice Provider of the Year and our Nurse of the Year awards!
All nominees will be considered and the winners selected by Lutheran’s Medical Executive Committee, which will announce the three award winners at Lutheran’s Annual Medical Staff Meeting & Dinner in September. All nominees also will be recognized at that event.
2023 Physician of the Year nominees
Nineteen physicians were nominated this year for the Physician of the Year Award! Their names are included below in alphabetical order, along with comments excerpted from the nominations submitted on their behalf.
Jeff Bontrager, MD, Internal Medicine: “In addition to being impressively smart and efficient, he is always super positive, always willing to help out and always up to educate and learn.”
Steven Brown, MD, Radiology: “Dr. Brown was a star Lutheran physician for many years and his loyalty and leadership will not be forgotten. He was the physician’s advocate, serving in leadership so long for us that he never qualified for the Physician of the Year nomination. This should be the year we commend him with this great honor.”
Zach Bryan, MD, Anesthesiology: “Consistently goes above and beyond for patients and staff!”
Ashley Davis, MD, General Surgery: “I have seen Ashley's exceptional dedication to her patients' well-being. Her professionalism is exceptional and she is able to effectively collaborate with us in order to provide the best care for our patients at Lutheran.”
John Ferguson, MD, Pulmonary Disease: “He continues to be a constant force of excellence, an outstanding physician. He deserves to be recognized for his dedication to his colleagues and patients through his ongoing pursuit and implementation of evidence-based research.”
Ed. note: We agree! But because Dr. Ferguson is a previous Physician of the Year Award winner, he is not eligible this year.
Debra Ganter, MD, Obstetrics & Gynecology: “Debra is attentive, caring and compassionate. She takes on leadership roles in the department and advocates for her colleagues and nurses. Her dedication to staying evidenced based and up to date with new recommendations is amazing.”
Traci Kimball, MD, General Surgery: “Dr. Kimball continues to lead the way in exceptional wound care by focusing on the entire patient and healing long-standing chronic ulcers with the latest in evidence-based medicine.”
David Leventhal, MD, Emergency Medicine: “Launched himself right into being our EMS liaison and has only strengthened our already wonderful relationships with local agencies.”
Reuben Lufrano, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery: “He works tirelessly in and out of the OR to do what is best for each and every patient. He is an excellent communicator with staff and families, and I personally cannot quantify how much I have learned about orthopedic trauma from him.”
Hillary Nack, DO, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: “Dr. Nack is a champion for her patients and colleagues. She provides impeccable and empathetic care to a complex patient population. She leads as a medical director of her clinic, inspiring and collaborating with multiple departments.”
Jerry Miklin, MD, Cardiovascular Disease: “For 30+ years, whenever our group needed to have someone seen for a cardiac problem, Dr. Miklin has always helped accommodate the patient and expedite the process. His knowledge and experience are superb.”
Aram Neuschatz, MD, Internal Medicine: “I can't even begin to explain how patient outcomes are improved, satisfaction is raised, and teamwork just happens when Aram is on. He is the model Doc for representing collegiality and commitment to excellence at Lutheran.”
Ed. note: Well said! But because Dr. Neuschatz is a previous Physician of the Year Award winner, he is not eligible this year.
Marc Passo, MD, Hospice & Palliative Medicine: “Dr. Passo is a master in the art of Palliative Care Medicine who is highly respected and appreciated by his peers. He is a strong advocate for the patients and families whom he serves and passionate about his work.”
Ritika Patel, MD, Internal Medicine: “I'm not sure people realize how much time and energy Dr. Patel spends making the hospital a better place to work and to be a patient. She is also an amazing doctor.”
Ed. note: She is! But because Dr. Patel serves on the MEC, she is not eligible this year.
Chris Pergrem, MD, Emergency Medicine: “One of the best, most humble attendings I've had the pleasure of working with. Strong, well-seasoned attending who has allowed me to continue to learn as a fresh attending coming out of residency.”
Franco Rea, MD, General Surgery: “Dr. Rea has devoted himself to our patients at Lutheran. He regularly comes in early to attend the multidisciplinary tumor board and round on critically ill patients in the ICU, then stays late to see consults. He is an excellent surgeon and advocate.”
Harmeet Singh, MD, Nephrology: “Harmeet has been serving Lutheran and the surrounding community for more than 25 years. He is intelligent and approachable and wonderful at educating other staff, patients and families. He is a delight to work with!”
Beata Wyatt, MD, Internal Medicine: “She has dedicated her professional life to being a top-notch physician at Lutheran. It's ludicrous that she has not won this award yet.”
Leah Wydro, DO, Pulmonary Disease: “Leah is one of the most intelligent and knowledgeable physicians on our medical staff. She is also probably the single nicest person. She is fiercely committed to her patients and their care.”
2023 Advanced Practice Provider of the Year nominees
Eight APPs were nominated this year for the Advanced Practice Provider of the Year Award! Their names are included below in alphabetical order, along with comments excerpted from the nominations submitted on their behalf.
RJ Balzen, NP, Pulmonary Disease: “RJ is an outstanding clinician. He's good at procedures, has amazing clinical knowledge, and is a nurse and patient advocate. Richard has worked very hard to provide continuing education to the ICU nurses.”
Meredith Carey, PA, Emergency Medicine: “Phenomenal leader of our high-quality APP group and she crushes it when working clinically.”
Robyn Cope, NP, Pulmonary Disease: “Robyn is an amazing clinician with an even more amazing heart. She is dedicated and hard-working. She is a delight for every nurse and clinician who has the opportunity to work with her.”
Deb Ferguson, NP, Cardiovascular Disease: “Deb is one of the most caring APPs I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, and it is a true honor and privilege to work with her. The care she provides patients in both the hospital and the office setting is outstanding.”
Kat Gouldy, NP, Orthopaedic Surgery: “She is extremely helpful and intentionally maintains a positive attitude. She is simply a pleasure to work with and it's an honor to work alongside her. She is the heart and soul of the Orthopedic service at Lutheran.”
Emmanuel Nti, NP, Internal Medicine: “So helpful to the whole hospital. He is really knowledgeable and such an amazing resource for the floor staff. I think everyone at Lutheran is grateful when he is on shift!”
Ben Singleton, PA, Emergency Medicine: “Ben is one of my favorite ED providers to receive an admission from. He is nice, professional, thorough. I rarely need to ask questions; he knows his patients well and has done an excellent job working them up prior to admission. Exceptional!”
Christina Stackhouse, NP, General Surgery: “Christina is the best NP I have ever worked with! She is so smart and such a joy to work with! Patients and staff adore her!”
Anne Torkelson, NP, Nephrology: “Anne's dedication to patient care and safety has been excellent. Her patients love her as they sense her sincerity in helping them.”
2023 Nurse of the Year nominees
Nine nurses were nominated this year for the Nurse of the Year Award! Their names are included below in alphabetical order, along with comments excerpted from the nominations submitted on their behalf.
Camille Applegate, RN, ICU: “Camille is a foundation stone in the Lutheran ICU. She is an amazing teacher and nurse. She loves her job and it shows in how she treats her patients and everyone around her. Her dedication to her position is unmatched.”
Ed. note: So true! But because Camille is a previous Nurse of the Year Award winner, she is not eligible this year.
Danielle Bogrett, RN, Neurocritical Care: “Danielle has shown consistency through all of the changes in the unit. She is an excellent educator for all of the nurses and physicians. She is one of the most important reasons that the neurocritical care unit has elevated to such high excellence.”
Katie Exner, RN, ICU: “She is an unflappable nurse. Kind, respectful and always full of positive energy. She is intelligent and hardworking, and she communicates well. She makes the Lutheran ICU a brighter place.”
Mandi Hollabaugh, RN, MedSurg: “Mandi consistently demonstrates great leadership and is a fantastic role model for new grads on the internal medicine unit, which can be a very tough floor, physically and emotionally. She is the hospital nursing champion for patient mobility.”
Angie Hutcherson, RN, ICU: It is difficult to imagine our cardiac ICU without Angie. Her knowledge base, experience, judgment and commitment are extraordinary. She works tirelessly in areas where a direct impact is made: bedside care, mentoring new ICU nurses and teaching.
Adara Lindt, RN, ICU: “She is the type of nurse whom you would want taking care of your loved one. She is bright, attentive and compassionate in taking care of her patients.”
Deetta Montana, RN, ICU: “Dee exemplifies compassion and empathy toward her patients and works hard to provide comfort in times of great stress. She has committed years of service to Lutheran and is in tune to patients’ needs, often before they arise.”
Jane Newman, RN, ICU: “Recognition is overdue. She is an extremely intelligent nurse. She is willing to collaborate and continue her education. She is responsive to her patients and respected by providers. She has stepped up to take care of any critical care patients regardless of the ask.”
Arnaud Schneider, RN, ICU: “Very attentive to patient care. Diligent and conscientious. When I round with Arnaud, it’s clear he knows his patients. He is very involved during multidisciplinary rounds.”
Congratulations to all the nominees and thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate such exemplary colleagues for this recognition.