Awards Ceremony

Invited Lecturer: Megan Baker, M.D.

The Department of Surgery was honored to have Megan Baker, M.D., 2005 Department of Surgery Alumna, present our 2025 Awards Ceremony Lecture. Dr. Baker is Chief Operating Officer at Roper St. Francis Healthcare, Director of Roper St. Francis Healthcare Cancer Center and Medical Director of Roper's Oncology Integrated Practice Network. Dr. Baker joined Roper St. Francis Healthcare in 2015 after 10 years as medical director of Comprehensive Breast Care at Hollings Cancer Center.

As a physician leader, Dr. Baker has helped forge a new relationship with Charleston Oncology to enhance RSFH’s network of cancer providers, as well as assist in implementing clinical and testing protocols, recruiting physicians, advancing our robotic strategy, and representing the clinical perspective at the highest level of decision making. Dr. Baker is a graduate of Columbia University and earned her medical degree at Wright State University School of Medicine. She completed her surgical residency at the Medical University of South Carolina, with additional training in oncoplastic breast surgery at Case Western Reserve University.

Future Surgical Leaders Certificates

Awarded to preliminary and graduating residents who have successfully completed the Future Surgical Leaders curriculum. 

Awardees: Haley Zlomke, M.D., Kristen Quinn, M.D., Maggie Jordan, M.D., John Hulse, M.D., Andrew Cole, M.D., and Alexander Booth M.D.

Student Teaching Awards 

Resident Award for Excellence in Student Teaching

Awarded to the resident whose teaching efforts are recognized by the MUSC College of Medicine third-year students as the most outstanding among all of the Department of Surgery house staff. The award is based on evaluations submitted by the third-year students at the end of their required surgery clerkship.

Honoree: Arjun Patel, M.D.

Faculty Award for Excellence in Student Teaching

Awarded to a surgical mentor who not only challenges and educates students but who serves as a role model for future physicians. The recipient is nominated by medical students after their 3rd and 4th-year surgery rotation and selected based on the following criteria: mentorship, scholarship, integrity, and dedication.

Honoree: Aaron Cunningham, M.D.

The Carolyn Reed, M.D. Fellowship Award

This travel award is given to cardiothoracic surgery residents who have demonstrated an eagerness to learn and teach, a dedication to the specialty, and enthusiasm for making a difference.

Honoree: Maxwell Kilcoyne, D.O.

Fred A. Crawford Jr. M.D. Award

This award is presented to the Cardiothoracic Resident who achieved the highest score on the annual TSDA In-Training Exam.

Honoree: Walker Blanding, M.D.

John M. Kratz M.D. Teaching Award

This award recognizes the attending who the residents feel has had the most impact on their clinical education.

 Honoree: Barry Gibney, D.O.

Tahlia Weis, M.D. Ph.D. Teaching Award

This award is given to the Vascular Surgery Resident who has best-demonstrated interest and commitment to Vascular education. By empowering others, the recipient embodies the values of our division and honors our first graduate, Dr. Tahlia Weiss.

Honoree: Ryan Gedney, M.D.

VSITE Award

This award is given to the Vascular Surgery Resident who achieves the highest percentile correct among their peers on the annual in-service exam.

Honoree: Tru Dang, M.D.

Plastic Surgery Motivational Leadership Award

This award recognizes the Plastic Surgery resident who has demonstrated the skills to lead, motivate and inspire their peers during the Academic Year 2024-25

Honoree: Robert Kane, M.D.

In-service Award

This award recognizes the resident who achieves the highest percentile correct score among their peers on the annual in-service exam.

Honoree: Geoffrey Brown, M.D.

Grindstone Award

This award recognizes the resident who has demonstrated persistence during their long training journey for the Academic Year 2024-25

Honoree: Ashish Patel, M.D.

Max S. Rittenbury Intern of the Year

Max S. Rittenbury Intern of the Year-Integrated - Olivia Millay, M.D.

Max S. Rittenbury Intern of the Year-Categorical - Dan McGough, M.D.

Max S. Rittenbury Intern of the Year-Prelim - Erika Andrade, M.D.

The Curtis P. Artz MUSC Surgical Society Award for Surgical Excellence

Awarded to academically outstanding residents with the highest ABSITE scores.

Honorees: John Hulse, M.D., Alexander Booth, M.D., and Perwaiz Nawabi, D.O.

The Wendell M. Levi Jr. M.D. Award for Surgical Leadership

Awarded to a resident recognized for exceptional leadership skills over the course of their surgical training.

Honorees: John Hulse, M.D., and Andrew Cole, M.D.

Educational Service Award

Awarded to a resident who demonstrates a commitment to advancing educational initiatives, mentoring students, and enhancing the learning environment by supporting the Education team through their efforts in recruitment, orientation, and the facilitation of workshops and labs.

Honorees: Zachary Sollie, M.D., Kelly Ohlrich, M.D., Michael Deal, M.D, Mallorie Huff, M.D., Brianna McLaughlin, M.D., Jenna Thuman, M.D. Olivia Millay, M.D., and Saranya Sundaram, M.D, Allison Frederick, M.D., and Zachary Sollie, M.D.

Transplant Surgery Award - Stephan Moorehead, M.D. 

Burn Surgery Rotation Awards

Professional Firefighters Association of South Carolina 2023-2024 Research Award - Allison Frederick M.D.

South Carolina Burn Center 2023-2024 “Best Intern” Award - Stephanie Carpentier, M.D.

Invited Lecturer: Jacob Robison, M.D.

The Department of Surgery was honored to have Jacob Robison,M.D., Professor Emeritus, present our 2024 Awards Ceremony Lecture.Throughout his career, Dr. Robison has been an advocate of adapting new technologies to the assessment and management of vascular disease andusing a careful assessment of both their outcomes and costs. Together with his associates in interventional radiology, he pioneered the management of aortic aneurysms with endovascular stent grafting in South Carolina in 1996. He also performed the first fenestrated aortic graft involving physician modification to preserve renal blood flow during EVAR and performed the first four-vessel fenestrated EVAR in South Carolina.

Working together with Dr. Bruce Elliott and Dr. Thomas Brothers, with a vision to bring modern vascular surgery to MUSC, they built a nationally recognized Division of Vascular Surgery.Dr. Robison not only helped train an entire generation of general surgeons, but developed the first integrated vascular surgery residency training program in South Carolina and was its first program director. Although he served MUSC for years in various leadership positions, including two years as President of the Medical Staff, he is best remembered for his interest in student and resident surgical education. He has been recognized by his peers as well as recognized as one of America's Top Surgeons and Best Doctors throughout his career.

Future Surgical Leaders Certificates

Awarded to preliminary and graduating residents who have successfully completed the Future Surgical Leaders curriculum. Delivered by Cynthia Talley, M.D., Vice-Chair of Education

Awardees: John Lucas, M.D., Bryce Lambert, M.D., Chris Thomas, M.D., Tyler Rives, M.D. and Leah Plumblee, M.D.

Student Teaching Awards 

Resident Award for Excellence in Student Teaching

Awarded to the resident whose teaching efforts are recognized by the MUSC College of Medicine third-year students as the most outstanding among all of the Department of Surgery house staff. The award is based on evaluations submitted by the third-year students at the end of their required surgery clerkship.

Honorees: Daniel Akyeampong, MD, and Richard Slay, MD

Faculty Award for Excellence in Student Teaching

Awarded to a surgical mentor who not only challenges and educates students but who serves as a role model for future physicians. The recipient is nominated by medical students after their 3rd and 4th-year surgery rotation and selected based on the following criteria: mentorship, scholarship, integrity, and dedication.

Honoree: Stuart Leon, MD

The Carolyn Reed, M.D. Fellowship Award

This travel award is given to cardiothoracic surgery residents who have demonstrated an eagerness to learn and teach, a dedication to the specialty, and enthusiasm for making a difference.

Honoree: Walker Blanding, M.D.

Fred A. Crawford Jr. M.D. Award

This award is presented to the Cardiothoracic Resident who achieved the highest score on the annual TSDA In-Training Exam.

Honoree: Zachary Sollie, M.D.

John M. Kratz M.D. Teaching Award

This award recognizes the attending who the residents feel has had the most impact on their clinical education.

 Honoree: Marc R. Katz, M.D., MPH

Tahlia Weis, M.D. Ph.D. Teaching Award

This award is given to the Vascular Surgery Resident who has best-demonstrated interest and commitment to Vascular education. By empowering others, the recipient embodies the values of our division and honors our first graduate, Dr. Tahlia Weiss.

VSITE Award

This award is given to the Vascular Surgery Resident who achieves the highest percentile correct among their peers on the annual in-service exam.

Honoree: Tyler Buckley, M.D.

Max S. Rittenbury Intern of the Year

Max S. Rittenbury Intern of the Year-Integrated - Matthew Anderson & Spencer Lucas

Max S. Rittenbury Intern of the Year-Categorical - Mallorie Huff & Amanda Smith

Max S. Rittenbury Intern of the Year-Prelim - Alice Le

The Curtis P. Artz MUSC Surgical Society Award for Surgical Excellence

Awarded to academically outstanding residents with the highest ABSITE scores.

Honorees: Bryce Lambert, M.D., Kevin Huang, M.D. and Richard Slay, M.D. 

The Wendell M. Levi Jr. M.D. Award for Surgical Leadership

Awarded to a resident recognized for exceptional leadership skills over the course of their surgical training.

Honorees: Chris Thomas, M.D. and Bryce Lambert, M.D.

Burn Surgery Rotation Awards

Professional Firefighters Association of South Carolina 2023-2024 Research Award - Keley Glover

South Carolina Burn Center 2023-2024 “Best Intern” Award - Andrew Worthman

South Carolina Burn Center Mission, Vision, and Values Award - Mallorie Huff

The Department of Surgery is honored to have Dr. Patrick J. O'Neill, M.D., present our 2023 Awards Ceremony Lecture.  After finishing medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. O’Neill completed general surgery and plastic surgery residencies, both at the Medical University of South Carolina, and a Hand and Microsurgery Fellowship at the Kleinert Institute for Hand and Microsurgery in Louisville, Kentucky. He maintains board certifications in both Surgery and Plastic Surgery and a sub-certification in Hand and Microsurgery. Upon completing training, Dr. O’Neill began working as an attending surgeon at the Medical University of South Carolina in 2000 which included time as the Chief of Plastic Surgery Division. He has been in private practice since 2008 where he continues to focus on aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. He continues to teach residents at the Medical University of South Carolina as an Affiliate Associate Professor of Surgery. 

Awards Ceremony

Future Surgical Leaders Certificates

Awarded to preliminary and graduating residents who have successfully completed the Future Surgical Leaders curriculum. Delivered by Cynthia Talley, M.D., Vice-Chair of Education

Awardees: Brianna McLaughlin, M.D. and Gina Lamb, M.D.

Student Teaching Awards 

Resident Award for Excellence in Student Teaching

Awarded to the resident whose teaching efforts are recognized by the MUSC College of Medicine third-year students as the most outstanding among all of the Department of Surgery house staff. The award is based on evaluations submitted by the third-year students at the end of their required surgery clerkship.

Honoree: Daniel Akyeampong M.D. (with Jeffrey Sutton, M.D.)

Faculty Award for Excellence in Student Teaching

Awarded to a surgical mentor who not only challenges and educates students but who serves as a role model for future physicians. The recipient is nominated by medical students after their 3rd and 4th-year surgery rotation and selected based on the following criteria: mentorship, scholarship, integrity, and dedication. Delivered by Mathew Wooster, M.D. Medical Student Clerkship Associate Program Director and Kris Banks-Smalls, MBA, Undergraduate Medical Education Coordinator.

Honoree: Stuart Leon, M.D. (with Jeffrey Sutton, M.D.)

Plastic Surgery Awards

Plastic Surgery Motivational Leadership Award: 

This award recognizes the Plastic Surgery resident who has demonstrated the skills to lead, motivate and inspire their peers during the Academic Year 2022-23 Delivered by M. Lance Tavana, Plastic Surgery Integrated Residency Program Director 

Honoree: Donna Mullner M.D. (with M. Lance Tavana, M.D.)

Highest In-service Score Award: This award recognizes the resident who achieves the highest percentile correct score among their peers on the annual in-service exam. Delivered by M. Lance Tavana, Plastic Surgery Integrated Residency Program Director 

Honoree: Geoffrey Brown, M.D. (pictured with M.Lance Tavana, M.D.)

Cardiothoracic Surgery Awards

The Carolyn Reed, M.D. Fellowship Award

This travel award is given to cardiothoracic surgery residents who have demonstrated an eagerness to learn and teach, a dedication to the specialty, and enthusiasm for making a difference. Delivered by Barry Gibney, D.O., Cardiothoracic Surgery Associate Program Director

Carolyn Elaine Reed, M.D. (1950-2012) dedicated 27 years to the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Reed was widely recognized as a superb clinical surgeon, an outstanding educator, and a leader in the field of thoracic surgery throughout the world.

  Honoree Alex Ghannam, M.D.  pictured with Barry Gibney DO

Fred A. Crawford Jr. M.D. Award

This award is presented to the Cardiothoracic Resident who achieved the highest score on the annual TSDA In-Training Exam. Delivered by Marc R. Katz, M.D. MPH, Cardiothoracic Surgery Program Director

Fred A. Crawford Jr. M.D., Distinguished University Professor and Chair Emeritus of the MUSC  Department of Surgery has served MUSC since 1979. During Dr. Crawford's tenure, he transformed MUSC into one of the most prominent cardiothoracic surgery programs in the country.

  Honoree Maxwell Kilcoyne, DO

Vascular Surgery Awards

Tahlia Weis, M.D. Ph.D. Teaching Award

This award is given to the Vascular Surgery Resident who has best-demonstrated interest and commitment to Vascular education. By empowering others, the recipient embodies the values of our division and honors our first graduate, Dr. Tahlia Weiss. Delivered by Ravi Veeraswamy, M.D. Vascular Surgery Integrated Program Director

                Honoree:  Alicia Stafford, M.D.

VSITE Award

This award is given to the Vascular Surgery Resident who achieves the highest percentile correct among their peers on the annual in-service exam.

Delivered by Adam Tanious, M.D., MMSc, Vascular Surgery Integrated Associate Program Director

Honoree: Tyler Buckley, M.D. (pictured with Adam Tanious, M.D.)

Preliminary Surgery Recognitions

 Congratulations to our Preliminary General Surgery Residents. We wish you the best as you enter the next step of your career.

Matthew Bridges, M.D. PGY-1 IR/DR MUSCNicholas  Fiore, M.D. PGY-2  Urology MUSCAndrew Gianos, M.D. PGY-1 Anesthesia MUSCMashtura Hasan, M.D. PGY-1 Urology Hofstra University / Northwell HealthElliott Holbert, D.O. PGY-1 Emergency Medicine Lehigh Valley Health NetworkBrian Jacobs, M.D. PGY-2  IR/DR MUSCSarah Jenkins, M.D. PGY-2 Orthopaedics MUSCJeannie Kontos, M.D. PGY-1  General Surgery Grand Strand Medical CenterCassidy Muir, M.D. PGY-1 General Surgery MUSC Kyler Perry, D.O. PGY-1 Urology MUSCJesse Varkey, M.D. PGY-1 Diagnostic Radiology The University of Texas San AntonioPeyton Vaughan, M.D. PGY-1 Urology MUSCSwathi Venattu, M.D. PGY-2 Urology The University of Texas Medical BranchDavid Winston, M.D. PGY-1 Surgery Prelim TidalHealth (Maryland) 

Max S. Rittenbury Intern of the Year

Awarded to an intern whose outstanding performance over the course of the year was recognized by faculty and peers. This person exemplifies excellence in patient care, teamwork, professionalism, and academic curiosity.

Awarded to one Categorical Resident and one Preliminary Resident annually. Delivered by Christian Streck, M.D.

Cassidy Muir, M.D. & John Hallmark, M. D. (pictured with Christian Streck, M.D.

Faculty Teaching Awards

These awards recognize our dedicated faculty who guide our medical students and residents through their training. Delivered by Residents

Honorees: 

Rana Pullatt, M.D.: Best teacher amongst the ART surgery services

Christian Streck, M.D: Best teacher amongst the pediatric surgery services

Sharee Wright, M.D.: Best teacher amongst the ART Vascular Surgery Service

John Sonfield, M.D.: Best teacher amongst our community general surgery rotations ( Roper, Tidelands, Florence)

Stuart Leon, M.D.: Best teacher on the ACS/Trauma service and burn service

Jared White, M.D.: Best  teacher on the Transplant Surgery service

David Countryman, M.D.: Best teacher at the VA (VA General Surgery and VA Vascular Surgery). 

Ian Bostock, M.D.: Best teacher on the  cardiothoracic surgery service.

Gabriel Klein, M.D.: Best teacher on the plastic surgery service.

The Curtis P. Artz MUSC Surgical Society Award for Surgical Excellence

Awarded to two academically outstanding residents with the highest ABSITE scores. Presented by Prabhakar Baliga, M.D. for H. Biemann Othersen, Jr. M.D., Professor Emeritus and Chair of the Curtis P. Artz MUSC Surgical Society.

Honoree : Kevin Huang, M.D. (pictured with Chair Prabhakar Baliga, M.D.)

Curtis P. Artz (1915-1977) was a renowned trauma and burn surgeon who joined the faculty at the Medical University of South Carolina in 1965. He served as professor and chairman of the Department of Surgery until his untimely death in 1977. The Curtis P. Artz MUSC Surgical Society established this award to honor Dr. Artz and his commitment to surgical excellence.

The Wendell M. Levi Jr. M.D. Award for Surgical Leadership 

Awarded to a resident recognized for exceptional leadership skills over the course of their surgical training. Presented by H. Biemann Othersen, Jr. M.D., Professor Emeritus and Chair of the Curtis P. Artz MUSC Surgical Society. This award was established through a generous endowment provided by the estate of Wendell M. Levi, Jr. M.D., MUSC General Surgery, Class of 1960.

Honorees: Briana McLaughlin M.D. and Ritchie Huettemann M.D.

Transplant Surgery Excellent Resident Award   

Delivered by Jared White, M.D., General Surgery Associate Program Director

Honoree: David Cole, M.D.

Burn Surgery Rotation Awards 

Burn Surgery Rotation Awards Eric Klipsch, M.D. and John Hallmark, M. D. (pictured with Steven Kahn, M.D.)

General Surgery Chiefs Awards to be presented at graduation

Paul H. O’Brien M.D. Resident Teaching Award: Awarded to the faculty member determined to be most committed to resident education. The graduating chief residents select the recipient based on five years of mentorship, advocacy, and guidance. The awardee is an integral component of the residency program and makes a palpable difference in the day to day lives of each resident.

David J. Cole M.D. Professionalism Award: Awarded each year to the resident determined to best uphold the ideals set by our former Chairman, Dr. Cole. These include respect for peers, colleagues, staff and self; grace and fortitude under pressure; and service before self. This resident is voted on by the graduating chief residents.

Dabney R. Yarbrough III M.D. Research Award to be presented during Surgery Research Recognition Day

Awarded to a resident recognized for excellence in research as determined by the MUSC Department of Surgery Research Council.