Inspiration Award honoree listings, last names H-M

2024 Inspiration Award

Contents

Laura N. Haines, MD
Pegge Halandras, MD
Kalisha Hill, MD, MBA
Emily Gifford Holmes, MD, MPH
Cheryl L. Hurd, MD
Maya S. Iyer, MD, MEd
Tisha K. Johnson, MD, MPH
Megan Jones, MD
Sarah Khorsand, MD
Jamie Kirby, MD
Rachel Laven, DO, FACOG
Huma Lodhi, MD
Michelle A. Lopez, MD, MPH
Mary Adeli Lynn, DO
Kieran McAvoy, MD

Laura N. Haines, MD

"From the first time I met Dr. Haines as a medical student rotating in the surgical ICU, I developed rapport with her which would blossom into a mentorship over the years. On ICU rounds, she challenged me as both a medical student and later a general surgery trainee to come up with thoughtful plans for my patients and to practice evidence guided medicine. She is an example of a strong and accomplished woman in a male dominated surgical field, trauma surgery, and when I told her I wanted to specialize in trauma she took me under her wing as her mentee.

She set up meetings with me to check in and help me form my career and personal goals and sought out opportunities for me that I may otherwise not have known about. She is a busy woman, with multiple titles and responsibilities, and yet I've never felt like I wasn't a high priority to her. She is also extremely compassionate to her patients and reminds us on rounds of how socioeconomic factors affect our trauma and ICU patients presentation and healing. Dr Haines is an outstanding role model as a person, an intensivist and a trauma surgeon."

Nominated by Parisa Oviedo

Pegge Halandras, MD

"Dr. Halandras is a talented vascular surgeon and accomplished clinical educator. She has a gift for integrating medical students into the vascular surgery service by getting them involved in the operating room and engaged on the hospital floors. She is an encouraging mentor who serves as an inspiration for many students interested in a challenging specialty."

Nominated by Rylie O'Meara

Kalisha Hill, MD, MBA

"Dr. Hill is an inspirational pathologist physician who holds leadership role in the hospital system and is a member of the College of American Pathologists Board of Governors. As a woman physician, a mother of two, Dr. Hill leads by example.

Not only is she an excellent pathologist, but also an amazing patient advocate and an exceptional leader who has taken her hospital system and the CAP mission to great heights. She uplifts those around her and has personally helped me become a more involved member of our specialty."

Nominated by Swati Bhardwaj

Emily Gifford Holmes, MD, MPH

"Dr. Holmes serves as a consultation-liaison psychiatrist at Indiana University, as well as fellowship director for both C-L psychiatry and clinical ethics.

She is an inspirational mentor and role-model. She has been my mentor for the past three years, during which time she has helped me navigate my career aspirations and guided me on research projects."

Nominated by Alyssa Smith

Cheryl L. Hurd, MD

"Dr. Hurd has been an inspiration to students at the Burnett School and Medicine and beyond. She serves in numerous roles from academic coach to faculty mentor for several student interest groups. In each of these roles, she consistently goes out of her way for students, specifically shown by how she shows up to student meetings to provide conscientious guidance and mentors students interested in policy and advocacy at the AMA meetings.

For me and several others at our medical school, she has been instrumental in guiding us through our path towards psychiatry and has gone out of her way to help us meet other psychiatrists in the community and get the educational experience we want. There is no better person who deserves this award than Dr. Hurd. Thank you for your consideration."

Nominated by Amanda Block

Maya S. Iyer, MD, MEd

"Maya Iyer MD, MEd is a pediatric EM physician who’s inspiring to learners and faculty. She deserves recognition for her mentorship, guidance, and advocacy in faculty development and gender equity.

She's the Assistant Dean for Clinical Faculty and goes above and beyond to help others succeed. She's my research mentor and her commitment to excellence in scholarship and compassionate patient care have been invaluable in shaping my growth as a medical student."

Nominated by Divya Shankar

Tisha K. Johnson, MD, MPH

"Dr. Tisha Johnson is a visionary program director whose unwavering support and belief in my potential have transformed my career. Her exceptional mentorship, dedication to fostering growth and tireless commitment to advancing medicine makes her a beacon of inspiration.

Dr. Johnson's leadership and passion for empowering future leaders make her the perfect candidate for the AMA Inspiration Award."

Nominated by Mrinalini Buddha

Megan Jones, MD

"Dr. Jones is a double board-certified maternal-fetal medicine physician. She was my senior resident in residency.

She is a leader in MFM both at her institution as Department Chairwoman and beyond. She is active in ACOG as well as teaching residents."

Nominated by Rachel Rodel

Sarah Khorsand, MD

"Dr. Sarah Khorsand, a specialist in anesthesiology and critical care, serves as an outstanding mentor and role model for female physicians.

Her unwavering sincerity towards patients, colleagues and students, combined with her passion for the field, inspires those around her. She exemplifies the highest standards of the profession."

Nominated by Ramsa Suhail

Jamie Kirby, MD

"Jamie Kirby, MD, is a constant source of encouragement and positivity. She goes above and beyond to support her students' well-being and professional development.

Dr. Kirby's kindness, determination, and integrity are truly inspirational. She makes me believe that I, too, can do it all."

Nominated by Ciara Madigan

Rachel Laven, DO, FACOG

"Rachel Laven, DO, is an inspiration in every sense of the word. I became connected with Dr. Laven after she helped to stabilize my parents immediately after they sustained a motor vehicle accident. She is an ob-gyn but embodies the physician spirit to help anyone in any medical crisis.

After connecting with her, she spoke to me about her profession, why she loves her career, and mentored me on how I can make the most of my medical education on my path to potentially becoming an ob-gyn as well. Her love of medicine and dedication to helping people reinvigorated my own passions, and having her as a role model helps me get through the long days of studying. She is an exemplary physician and deserves to be strongly considered for this award!"

Nominated by Maya Roytman

Huma Lodhi, MD

Nominated by Nehaa Sohail

Michelle A. Lopez, MD, MPH

Nominated by Melina Peshoff

Mary Adeli Lynn, DO

"Mary Lynn, DO, is the most enthusiastic and energetic physician I have met! I connected with Dr. Lynn as an advisor for various sexual medicine research projects, as she is a pioneer of Loyola's sexual health clinic. She ignited my passion for female sexual medicine, and as an aspiring ob-gyn, she has been an instrumental role model for me.

She loves to teach students, and her drive for her work is palpable by all who collaborate with her. I strongly recommend her for the AMA Inspiration Award!"

Nominated by Maya Roytman

Kieran McAvoy, MD

"Dr. Kieran McAvoy is a geriatrician and has been an active member from the start. She is always encouraging and a true #sheforshe. I have witnessed her leadership abilities when she served as AMA-RFS chair. She often had to make difficult choices but did so with grace.

In addition, she has a small child who she has also brought to every meeting. Something special Dr. McAvoy always shares is that she wants her daughter to be surrounded by inspirational women physicians, and in truth, Kieran is the inspiration. From her mentorship to work-life balance to advancing in leadership roles, she is the epitome of what every role model should be."

Nominated by Avani Patel