Inspiration Award honoree listings, last names A-G

2024 Inspiration Award

Jessica Ailani, MD

“Dr. Ailani was my mentor during neurology residency. She taught me several life lessons in addition to the invaluable bedside teaching. She mentored me and gave me opportunities to be involved in writing articles and guided me after the completion of my residency. She continues to inspire me to be a better physician and individual. She is very well known in the field of headache neurology and I often still stop by her office to learn something new about headaches.

She made sure all of us residents are compassionate and are closely involved in having patients actively participate in their own care. Taking care of patients and helping them advance in their lives is a goal I have learned to inculcate in my current practice due to her wonderful teaching. She truly deserves this award."

Nominated by Pooja Mohan Rao

Rebecca Andrews, MD

"Dr. Andrews is an inspiring and inspired medical educator, physician leader, mentor and sponsor. I came to know her through her accomplishments on the Board of Governors of the American College of Physicians (which she was elected chair of), her remarkable tenure as an ACP Regent (of which she has been named chair elect of the Board of Regents), and through her national committee work.

She is a brilliant, thoughtful, and successful leader, who models inclusion, creative and critical thinking. She is also widely feted as a leader in her home state of Connecticut, including receiving multiple leadership appointments and teaching and mentorship awards. She has countless mentees who admire her, and countless peers who learn from her daily—of whom I count myself. It speaks well of AMA to honor her in this way, and I hope to see her selected."

Nominated by Eileen Barrett

Bernadette Aulivola, MD

"Dr. Aulivola is a renowned vascular surgeon who is an exemplary mentor for medical students interested in the field of vascular surgery. She takes the time out of her busy schedule to help guide students through professional societies and meet other surgeons at vascular meetings.

She has encouraged me to apply for scholarships and submit research to meetings which has helped me strengthen my application for a competitive specialty. Her guidance has made an often overwhelming process feel more manageable, and I am grateful to have her as a role model."

Nominated by Rylie O'Meara

Sarah Elizabeth Battle, MD

"I am honored to nominate Dr. Sarah Battle for the AMA Inspiration Award. Dr. Battle exemplifies professional excellence and personal understanding.

Her unwavering support balanced work-life and high standards. Even outside my specialty, she supported my career, profoundly impacting my growth."

Nominated by Cecily Kaufmann

Laura J. Benjamins, MD, MPH

"Dr. Benjamins has been my mentor for approximately 8 months. Within this time, she has profoundly impacted my personal and professional life with her honesty, openness, kindness, and compassion. Although she's a pediatrician and I'm pursuing ob-gyn, Dr. Benjamin's experience in public health and adolescent medicine has opened my eyes to the numerous possibilities available to me in my career.

As an educator, advocate, and role model to her students and patients, she embodies all of the qualities I aspire to have as a physician and has had a significant positive impact on her patients. She is a constant reminder that I can overcome any challenges I face on this path as a black woman pursuing a career in medicine. She has taught me how to advocate for myself, my patients and communities, using my status as a physician and my passion for public health. She is a remarkable woman who adds so much to the lives of those who have the privilege of knowing her."

Nominated by Alexandra Stone

Ja'Nelle M. Blocker, MD

"Dr. Blocker was my first and most influential introduction to the art and passion of psychiatry. I met her as a medical student, when she was my upper-level resident, and she has continued to inspire me and others many years later.

I am now a PGY-3 psychiatry resident and now rising Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow at Yale. Dr. Blocker has truly paved the way for budding psychiatrists through her dedication to the field, limitless passion for innovation and research, and selfless service to her community. She's truly an inspiration to all!"

Nominated by Alayna Freeman

"I have been following Ja'Nelle's career since I was a medical student. What stood out to me is how she shared her journey through medicine and has provided resources and counsel to others. I have found her story to be such an inspiration for me as a trainee and it has helped me navigate my own journey. She has been so supportive and encouraging through the highs and lows of this process. Her passion for advocacy, systems change, holistic care and mentorship are evident in the work she has done. She is more than deserving of this award."

Nominated by Chevaughn Wellington

Mary T. Bond, MD, FACP

"Dr. Bond is the campus director clinical skills for our campus and as such coordinates the course for 60 students in year 1 and 2 plus all of the standardized patients that are used.

The amount of coordination involved is significant and the need is great to develop excellent clinical skills in our students. Dr. Bond is truly an inspiration."

Nominated by Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber

Rebecca Elaine Cagnina, MD, PhD

"Dr. Cagnina is an instructor in pulmonary and critical care at BWH. Throughout fellowship, I have been inspired by her knowledge, compassion, and patient advocacy. Her encouragement and support have been critical in helping me formulate grant applications and presentations, and I would not be the physician-scientist I am today without her mentorship."

Nominated by Marjorie Bateman

Caroline M. Chebli, MD

"Dr. Caroline Chebli, MD, is an exceptional orthopedic surgeon and a trailblazer in her field, having mentored countless female medical students and residents throughout her career. Her dedication to teaching, developing innovative training programs and fostering a supportive environment for women in orthopedic surgery has significantly shaped our professional journeys. Dr. Chebli is an inspiration every day for her peers, her patients and her mentees, and she is amazing in everything she does."

Nominated by Lauren Ladehoff

Cuckoo Choudhary, MD

"Dr. Choudhary is a highly respected gastroenterologist specializing in inflammatory bowel diseases and women's health.

Her exceptional contributions were recently recognized when she was named the Dorrance H. Hamilton Professor of Medicine—a prestigious accolade honoring faculty with outstanding scholarly achievements and leadership."

Nominated by Pankhuri Jha

Julia Lucia Cormano, MD

"Dr. Cormano is a wonderful physician, person and mentor. She displays exceptional interpersonal skills and is always willing to teach. She goes the extra mile for her students and patients, and it is truly inspiring to have someone to look up to.

Dr. Cormano has played a large part in my development as a future physician, and I hope to emulate her character when I am an attending."

Nominated by Megan King

Stacia M. Crochet, MD

"Dr. Crochet is one of the reasons so many Emory medical students go into ob-gyn. A passionate educator, she not only is a role model for the students, but she also leads them in running a free women's health clinic. Providing care for women in need, the medical students learn leadership."

Nominated by Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber

Marguerite Duane, MD, MHA, MSPH

"Dr. Duane is passionate about educating students, residents and practicing physicians about reproductive health monitoring and family planning using fertility awareness-based methods as another tool in the physician toolbox for comprehensive reproductive healthcare. Despite having a busy private practice, she maintains a rigorous presentation schedule, while also publishing regularly. She had over 15 presentations and three publications in 2023 alone!

She has been instrumental in producing and delivering educational programs. In 2018, she worked with Georgetown University to produce an elective on fertility-based awareness methods, which has been used in 2-week, 4-week, and 6-week formats, both online and in-person, to train medical students and nursing students. In 2020, they added case studies facilitated by leading experts in the field of restorative reproductive medicine, seeking to identify and correct underlying causes of infertility and reproductive dysfunction. Similar educational material is used as she does seminars across the country.

I am inspired by her tenacity, persistence, and passion for this topic, and her drive to ensure that medical students and practicing physicians have access to additional methods to help patients take control of their fertility and their health. She is deeply deserving of this award!"

Nominated by Janet Hurley

Therése M. Duane, MD

"Therese Duane, MD, is the perfect paragon of a physician leader, woman, wife and mother. As a trauma critical care surgeon, professor, triathlete and mother of four, she has set an incredible example for balancing her professional and personal roles.

I am inspired by her dedication and grateful for her staunch support of my career as a family physician."

Nominated by Marguerite Duane

Cristina Elstad, MD

"Dr. Elstad gives back to her community by teaching our future physicians. She gladly gives of her time to lecture to the medical students and bring them into her office during their 3rd year clerkships. She is a role model and frequently receives excellent evaluations. Appreciate her willingness to share her expertise."

Nominated by Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber

Cherie P. Erkmen, MD

"Cherie P. Erkmen, MD, is an incredible surgeon, researcher, mentor and advocate. She uses her platform as a respected Thoracic surgeon to advocate for women and underrepresented minorities in medicine.

Dr. Erkmen was one of the first mentors I had, and she has not only taught me how to be a better researcher and student, but a better community member and aspiring health care worker."

Nominated by Kristine Chin

Colleen M. Fitzgerald, MD, MS

"Dr. Fitzgerald is the ideal medical educator. Not only is she intimately involved in the research honors program at Stritch School of Medicine as assistant dean of medical student research, but she also leads scholarly and clinical advancements at the intersection of urogynecology and physical medicine and rehabilitation. I am honored to have the opportunity to learn from her as my patient-centered medicine preceptor. She excels as a clinician, researcher and educator, and is most deserving of this recognition."

Nominated by Maya Roytman

Deborah Fuller, MD

"I am honored to recommend Dr. Deb Fuller for the Inspiration Award. As a mentor and advocate for women in medicine, Dr. Fuller has significantly impacted the AMA and the Texas Medical Association. Through her mentorship, Dr. Fuller has guided countless women, providing support and encouragement through social media and in person.

Her efforts have fostered a more inclusive environment, empowering women to achieve their fullest potential. Her unwavering commitment to supporting women in the AMA and TMA exemplifies her compassion and kindness. Dr. Fuller's inspirational leadership, combined with her genuine passion for mentorship, makes her an exemplary candidate for this prestigious award. Thank you."

Nominated by Emily Briggs

Phyllis Gerber, MD

"Dr. Gerber has been a pioneer in the area of occupational and environmental medicine and public health. Her work within various leadership and educational roles has been extraordinary and transformative over time. She has led by example and always has time for mentoring and dynamic responsive support of next generation emerging leaders.

Programs she has championed include innovation education which helped next generation members understand how to navigate engagement with University Innovation and Research Incubators which has led to many of our members to become involved in this critical medical space and make award winning contributions. She is a beloved leader within ACOEM and is a personal friend to many silently and privately going above and beyond what is needed to advocate for and support those with challenging life circumstances so they can attend and contribute to committee work and Annual Meetings and special projects."

Nominated by Allison L. Jones

Kathleen Gibson, MD

"Dr. Kathleen Gibson is a talented vascular surgeon who is recognized nationally and internationally for her work in the area of venous disease. Her efforts have been recognized by her colleagues, and she currently serves as president of American Venous and Lymphatic Society. She impacts the lives of many physicians and patients through her leadership, innovative thinking, research and teaching.

She became a vascular surgeon at a time when there were few women in the specialty and has built an outstanding reputation and career despite those challenges. She has been an inspiration and an important mentor and sponsor in my professional development as a vascular surgeon. I am very grateful for her support and guidance."

Nominated by Elena Foster

Jodi M. Grandominico-Bradford, MD

"Jodi Grandominico, MD, deserves recognition for her mentorship, teaching and exceptional patient care that inspires all learners that work with her. Her encouragement and dedication to my growth during medical school has been instrumental in my success, and I credit her for fostering my career and residency aspirations.

Her commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care is inspiring and is something I hope to emulate in my future practice. Her mentorship has meaningfully impacted me and many of her trainees, and I am beyond thankful that I was given the chance to learn from her."

Nominated by Divya Shankar