Forty-seven Saint Joseph physicians, providers nominated for annual awards!

Congratulations to the 31 physicians and 16 advanced practice providers nominated for the 2023 Saint Joseph Physician of the Year and Advance Practice Provider of the Year awards!

Included below in alphabetical order, along with much-abbreviated excerpts from the nominations submitted on their behalf, these clinicians were nominated by you for demonstrating clinical excellence, loyalty to the hospital and medical staff, a collaborative spirit, a commitment to teaching and other qualities that distinguish them as exceptional colleagues. We’re proud to recognize all nominees.

Thirty-one 2023 Physician of the Year Award nominees

Lisa D. Ahrendt, MD, Hematology & Medical Oncology: I hear such nice and beautiful things about Lisa from the patients.

Meredith Alston, MD, Obstetrics & Gynecology: She has energized and a brought a fresh perspective to the GME OB residency, broadening the resident experience. She cares deeply about quality of care and the patient experience. She is a great leader, building consensus by listening to different perspectives.

Ari Ballonoff, MD, Radiation Oncology: He’s committed to all things patient safety, improvement, staff and service support, and just being an outstanding human. His willingness to call another provider and discuss plans of care and encourage the use of the newest EBP with the utmost respect is unparalleled.

Will Baker, MD, Cardiovascular Disease: Not only is he an excellent cardiologist, he’s also a fantastic colleague. Always available to help, even with small questions. Very approachable and great bedside manner. His patients are lucky to have him.

Jonathan Boyer, MD, Psychiatry: Dr. Boyer has made a profound impact on our treatment and management of patients experiencing delirium. His academic approach to managing this awful condition has made it a much less frightening experience for the patient as well as the family.

Benjamin Briggs, MD, Internal Medicine: His medical knowledge is top notch and his clinical care is superb. He is a procedure guru and helps teach the resident procedure course. My day is always better when Dr. Briggs is around.

Jake Chanin, MD, Cardiovascular Disease: Dedication in learning new technology to try to provide the best options to treat patients with valvular heart disease. An amazing personality and enthusiasm make it a great experience to work alongside him.

Hunaif Dar, MD, Internal Medicine: Such a thoughtful colleague.

Nick Galyon, DO, Internal Medicine: Dr. Galyon is new to Saint Joseph; however, in just a short amount of time, he has received high praise for how well he works with patients and the nursing team. This praise comes from patients, nurses and physicians.

Clancy Howard, MD, Nephrology: Excellent clinical acumen, skilled communication. Reliable, thoughtful and kind.

Sarah Hubbell, MD, Internal Medicine: Sarah is an excellent physician – thoughtful, thorough, patient- centered – and an excellent colleague. She is always collaborative and a joy to be around. She is dedicated to resident education and gives them feedback for their growth and development.

Mark Jeong, MD, Cardiovascular Disease: Dr. Jeong is a humble and approachable colleague. He is professional, kind and always keeps our patients at the center in any conversation. He is a phenomenal cardiologist and well respected by his colleagues and our patients.

Jason Johnson, DO, General Surgery: He’s an amazing surgeon and compassionate doctor. His patients love him. He’s also a great teacher, and it's an honor to be trained by him. He’s very involved in the clinic and with our patients, especially the ones who need more attention.

Christopher B. Jones, MD, Hematology & Medical Oncology: Dr. Jones is easy to work with, very knowledgeable and has a great bedside manner. He consistently gives great care to our patients and he is a valued member of our multidisciplinary care team.

Elin Kondrad, MD, Family Medicine: She chose to come to Saint Joseph because of the hospital's commitment to serving all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, and she is wonderful at inspiring residents to follow this same commitment to social justice in the care they provide.

Kenneth Lyn-Kew, MD, Pulmonary Disease: Dr. Lyn-Kew is always willing to help his colleagues. He works hard and always has a smile. He is very proactive with sepsis and integrating the ER, floor and ICU. He is an excellent teacher for the residents.

Tyler Millard, MD, Internal Medicine: Dr. Millard is an outstanding hospitalist and colleague. He is thorough and thoughtful, and provides exemplary care. He also provides excellent teachings, founded in evidence-based medicine, to our residents. He is always approachable and has a positive attitude.

Sandhya Rai-Sherpa, MD, Internal Medicine: Dr. Rai-Sherpa is a dedicated physician. She works well with the nursing staff to ensure the patient receives the appropriate care. As part of the team, she backs the nursing team with the patient and isn't afraid to have difficult conversations.

Lisa Richman, MD, Pulmonary Disease: Dr. Richman cares deeply about our patients and our people. She is an excellent physician and colleague. She leads by example and is always approachable and collegial.

Dana Roper-Cooper, MD, Obstetrics & Gynecology: Her dedication and compassion are unmatched. One of the most amazing human beings I have ever come across. Easily, hands down, no question, the absolute best at her craft.

Jordan Ryan, MD, Emergency Medicine: Kind, caring, compassionate. Always upbeat. Constantly learning and improving. Superlative patient care and teammate.

Lauren Sarnat, MD, Internal Medicine: Dr. Sarnat is a dedicated physician. She takes extra time to make sure each patient feels comfortable with their hospitalization and treatment plan.

Kathleen Saxon, MD, Emergency Medicine: She is an unsung hero in our department. Extremely smart and knowledgeable, very kind and an excellent caregiver. She is a team player and is always helpful. She works the hardest and most difficult shifts. An overall wonderful person.  

Jerome S. Schroeder, MD, Radiology: Dr. Schroeder's knowledge and expertise are unmatched in the breast radiology field. He is easily approachable with any question and he loves to teach! He will retire this year and will be greatly missed by his staff and all the patients who have grown to love him.

Eric Seger, DO, Internal Medicine: Very dedicated and always available. Especially helpful with our underserved community patient population.

Katie Seitz, MD, Family Medicine: Katie has guided our program through change and serves as an invaluable advisor to our residents and faculty. She models care for the poor and developmentally disabled, and teaches residents how to compassionately care for these vulnerable populations.

Amy Silverberg, MD, Internal Medicine: Dr. Silverberg is very dedicated to providing detailed and excellent patient care to all patients.

Matt Stenmark, MD, Radiation Oncology: Dr. Stenmark is a humble physician and leader who is dedicated to ensuring all patients have access to radiation oncology care. He is an excellent physician, and I'm proud to call him a colleague.

Kyle Thompson, MD, General Surgery: He’s always making sure his patients are doing well and they are well taken care of.

Albert Tseng, MD, Cardiovascular Disease: Dr. Tseng has taken interventional cardiology to a new level, and his nearly 1,000 TAVRS have been done with remarkably low morbidity and mortality.

Kim Warner, MD, Obstetrics & Gynecology: She is a servant leader, putting the needs of the team above her own. She respects and supports the entire team in all disciplines. She will not leave the unit when there is an unstable patient. She is quick to act in emergent situations and supports the NICU team.

Sixteen 2023 Advanced Practice Provider of the Year Nominees

Heather Austin, PA, Thoracic & Cardiac Surgery: She is dedicated to the patients and will help in any way she can for the purposes of patient care. She goes out of her way and exceeds what one would expect.

Tammi Backer, NP, Thoracic & Cardiac Surgery: Repeatedly our heart program receives awards and stellar rankings rivaling top hospitals in the country. Tammi is a huge part of that. Her knowledge and care of OHS patients is second to none. She is the perfect liaison between surgeon, nurse and patient.

Christie Bryant, CNM, Obstetrics & Gynecology: She has done an excellent job managing, growing and directing the Birth Center. She ensures quality care. She maintains excellent relationships and communication with the providers at the hospital so transitions of care go smoothly.

Brett Burbridge, PA, Emergency Medicine: Always faces work with his absolute best. Skilled, caring, kind.

Chandler Correll, PA, Cardiovascular Disease: He takes the time to truly listen. He is a great coworker and is always willing to help out a fellow colleague.

Connie George, CNM, Obstetrics & Gynecology: Connie is one of the most empathetic and caring nurse midwives I have ever worked with. She is an expert in her field and educates her patients, peers and our staff with her increasing knowledge base. She also speaks fluent Spanish.

Katie Gersman, PA, Emergency Medicine: She is always so wonderful to work with and makes sure everything is done right for the patient so they receive the best care. She has great communication with the nursing staff.

Kara Lauer, PA, Otolaryngology: She’s amazing, rounding on all ENT patients with the attendings, taking care of everything throughout the day and providing impeccable care – quality as well as quantity and complexity. Her presence has single-handedly transformed the quality of care.

Marian Malafarina, NP, Bariatric Surgery: Marian is an unsung hero in our bariatric surgery program. She prepares patients for surgery and helps them through the recovery process. Countless patients have recognized her empathy and caring nature. She exemplifies what it means to be an APP.

Terri Mendoza, NNP, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine: Terri is clinically excellent. She is well liked and approachable. She continually strives to improve the NICU and is dedicated to the hospital, serving on the Credentials Committee and actively pursuing leadership training opportunities to serve even better.

Maureen Moaddeli, NP, Internal Medicine: Always cheerful and positive, she enters every patient room with a plan “to do good” for our patients and fights tirelessly for them to get every ounce of care that anyone else in the world has access to. She is a champion for those who suffer from addiction.

Dina Richter, PA, Orthopaedic Surgery: She is always available for patients, and they feel incredibly comfortable with her and recognize her as their provider. She is intelligent and capable and keeps us afloat.

Katie Snell, NP, Hematology & Oncology: Katie is awesome! She builds excellent rapport with patients to quickly identify social and cancer issues, as well as the right resources for an improved outcome and patient satisfaction. Katie is an invaluable resource during interdisciplinary rounds.

Doug Warriner, PA, Emergency Medicine: His commitment to the department, his colleagues' wellbeing, teaching staff/nursing and his help with the schedule all contribute to the successful operation of the Emergency Department.

Jennifer Wold, PA, General Surgery: Jennifer has been an incredible addition to the surgical oncology department. Her patient care, both clinically and technically, is always focused, reliable and superb. She keenly understands the importance of our team approach, never forgetting the patients’ needs.

Christine Zimmerman, CRNA, Anesthesiology: She was the only CRNA who stayed when the anesthesia contract ended. She worked many hours and was flexible in covering L&D, showing perseverance and loyalty. She began the walking epidural process on L&D. She is compassionate.

The winners of both awards will be announced and all nominees will be recognized at the Annual Medical Staff Meeting & Dinner in October. Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit these thoughtful and enthusiastic nominations!