Physician of the Year, APP of the Year nominees announced!
Thanks to your nominations, we’re proud to announce and celebrate the 17 physicians and 11 advanced practice providers in the running for Saint Joseph’s 2024 Physician of the Year and APP of the Year Awards!
The comments you submitted on behalf of your colleagues were thoughtful and persuasive and, in most cases, too long to include here. The full list of nominees is included below, along with brief excerpts from their nomination forms.
2024 Physician of the Year Award nominees, in alphabetical order
Leo Alfaro, MD, General Surgery: Constant dedication to his patients. Setting an example for medical students and residents.
Meredith Alston, MD, Obstetrics & Gynecology: Dr. Alston has brought an academic focus to the OB/Gyn Residency Program, resulting in the residents and faculty having multiple publications and presentations at national meetings.
Ben Briggs, MD, Internal Medicine: Ben is the ideal colleague. He is patient, caring, empathic, thorough, always puts his patients' care first and is always willing to help out.
Jake Chanin, MD, Cardiovascular Disease: Many critically ill patients have survived directly due to his patient advocacy and excellent clinical and technical skills.
Sarah Hubbell, MD, Internal Medicine: Dr. Hubbell is the physician I would want to take care of my family. She is knowledgeable, extremely approachable and supportive.
Ruchika Husa, MD, Cardiovascular Disease: Not only does she successfully juggle a challenging clinical burden, but she has been highly instrumental in stabilizing, building and expanding our cardiovascular capabilities in both cardiology and CT surgery.
Jason Johnson, DO, General Surgery: Dr. Johnson is an amazing leader, a great teacher and, above all, a passionate surgeon who puts patients above all.
Chris Jones, MD, Hematology & Medical Oncology: Insightful, collaborative, well loved by patients.
Jess Joymon, MD, Thoracic & Cardiac Surgery: Dr. Jess Joymon is an outstanding cardiothoracic surgeon who personifies integrity in the way he cares for his patients and his colleagues.
William Lee, MD, Internal Medicine: Outstanding teacher. Top-notch clinician. An inspiration for switching specialties mid-career.
Megan Loo, MD, Thoracic & Cardiac Surgery: Dr. Loo is always approachable and willing to teach the nursing staff when questions arise.
Jeff Manuel, MD, Hospice & Palliative Medicine: He is extremely caring, takes care of both staff and patients extremely well and is an all around great guy.
Heather Orth, MD, Emergency Medicine: She develops care plans that align with the patient's goals and is a solid clinician.
John Raheb, DO, General Surgery: During the past year we faced several challenges in the clinic, and he tirelessly fought to ensure we have what we need to continue to provide excellent care to our patients.
Alwin Steinmann, MD, Internal Medicine: Dr. Steinmann has been an incredible advocate for the residency programs, the residents and the GME faculty and does a great job promoting their interests to hospital administration/leadership.
Thejasvi Thiruvoipati, MD, Cardiovascular Disease: Outstanding interventional cardiologist with a wonderful team-based attitude and approach to patient care.
Albert Tseng, MD, Cardiovascular Disease: He pioneered the use of TAVR at Saint Joseph Hospital and he himself has done more than 800 cases in the past 10 years.
2024 APP of the Year Award nominees, in alphabetical order
Heather Austin, PA, Thoracic & Cardiac Surgery: After the patients arrive in CICU from the OR, she stays around for hours helping the nurses with orders and is VERY quick to respond to our concerns.
Jessica Bahr, PA, Cardiovascular Disease: When I round with her on our inpatient service I am consistently amazed at her independence, thoughtfulness and follow-through.
Brittney Brown, PA, General Surgery: Since day one, Brittney showed so much passion and commitment to help the most vulnerable group of people with so much compassion and dedication.
Brooks Correll, PA, Cardiovascular Disease: Brooks is one of the best and kindest APPs I have ever worked with.
Jessica Gamwell, PA, Cardiovascular Disease: Jess is always available to help with any EP patient. She is knowledgeable and a champion for patient safety.
Katie Gersman, PA, Emergency Medicine: She is an excellent clinician with a great bedside manner and has an amazing technical skill set to solve all of the unique procedural issues that present to the Emergency Department.
Kim Johnson, NP, General Surgery: She has amazing clinical acumen and is an essential part of the vascular team.
Marian Malafarina, NP, Bariatric Surgery: Without her work, our practice would not be where it is today.
Hannah McCabe, PA, Cardiology: Committed to exceptional and equitable patient care, goes above and beyond for her patients.
Joanna Oomkes, PA, Thoracic & Cardiac Surgery: Has provided support to all her colleagues and continues to give selflessly in the hope of building the best team atmosphere.
Lindsay Summerill, PA, General Surgery: Lindsay seamlessly steps in to handle any portion of the workload, whether it falls within her usual responsibilities or not. Her contributions are extensive.
The winners of both awards will be announced and all winners will be celebrated at the Saint Joseph Annual Medical Staff Meeting & Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 21. All physicians and APPs currently members of the Saint Joseph Medical Staff are invited and encouraged to attend! Reserve a spot for you and your guest by clicking the button below.