“Show me a successful individual, and I’ll show you someone who had real positive influences in his or her life. I don’t care what you do for a living—if you do it well, I’m sure there was someone cheering you on or showing the way. A mentor.”
Denzel Washington
The Center for Faculty Development at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) presents annual Excellence in Mentoring Awards to recognize faculty and postdoctoral fellows who have mentored and contributed to the success of other faculty and/or trainees during their career.
Please join us in recognizing and congratulating the 2024 Excellence in Mentoring Award winners, who were announced during the Celebration of Mentoring event at MGH last week.
2024 John T. Potts, Jr., MD Faculty Mentoring Awards
The John T. Potts, Jr., MD, Faculty Mentoring Award was established in 2011 to recognize and honor senior faculty members with ten or more years of mentoring experience at MGH, in the spirit of further building a culture of mentoring at our hospital.
Joanne Borg-Stein, MD
Chief, Division of Sports and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Borg-Stein is a leading researcher in platelet-rich plasma therapy for degenerative disease and sports injury.
She also has clinical and research specialties in diagnostic and interventional musculoskeletal ultrasound, prolotherapy, cell therapies for sports injuries, arthritis as well as women’s musculoskeletal conditions and injuries.
Nomination Comments:
“Dr. Borg-Stein runs our meetings ‘family-style’ where everyone feels the warmth and support that is her trademark.”
“Dr. Borg-Stein’s mentorship has transformed the careers of countless individuals, advancing the fields of musculoskeletal ultrasound, regenerative medicine, and PM&R. Her tireless dedication to her mentees’ growth, her pioneering efforts to empower women, and her commitment to holistic mentorship have left an indelible mark on her field.”
Lee Cohen, MD
Clinician Investigator, Department of Psychiatry
Edmund N. and Carroll M. Carpenter Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Cohen is director of the Ammon-Pinizzotto Center for Women’s Mental Health at MGH. He is a national and international leader in the field of women’s mental health and was among the founders of the field of perinatal and reproductive psychiatry.
Nomination Comments:
“Dr. Cohen wisely and passionately focuses on early career mentorship, which then has built our team of faculty.”
“Dr. Cohen is respectful and accommodating in terms of the flexibility and creativity required to keep individuals on their career development paths.”
“I am deeply grateful to Dr. Cohen, whose generosity and vision gave me the opportunity to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime creative project, one of the most energizing and exciting experiences of my career, allowing me to bridge my clinical work with public health at a large scale.”
2024 Rising Mentor Awards
The Rising Mentor Award was established in 2021 to recognize MGH faculty members at the Instructor through Assistant Professor rank who have developed noteworthy expertise in mentoring since they were appointed faculty but who have not yet reached the senior status that the CFD Potts Mentoring Award recognizes.
Margaret Chapman, MD
Attending Physician, Department of Medicine
Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Chapman is an attending physician in the Department of Medicine, the associate program director for quality and safety for Internal Medicine Residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, and the lead for education and professional development for the Hospital Medicine Unit.
Nomination Comments:
“Dr. Chapman has become my biggest cheerleader, my kindest comforter, and my wisest colleague as I find out who I am as a person and a physician.”
“What stands out most to me about Dr. Chapman’s mentorship is that even when she has a competing obligation to steer me in one direction, she has always been focused on what was best for me.”
“Dr. Chapman is one of those mentors who somehow pulls time out of a hat.”
Nicole Zürcher Wimmer, PhD
Investigator, Department of Radiology
Assistant Professor of Radiology, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Zürcher uses magnetic resonance (MR) and simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET)-MRI to study brain function and dysfunction in health and disease with an emphasis on neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. Her main disease focus is on autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.
Nomination Comments:
“From the very start of my fellowship, Dr. Zürcher has ensured that I feel welcomed and fully supported within the research team and Martinos Center environment.”
“Dr. Zürcher’s mentorship philosophy underscores the importance of research excellence alongside work-life balance, which has been invaluable in helping me to navigate the demands of early-career research.”
“I am consistently impressed by Dr. Zürcher’s thoughtfulness, caring, and guidance that she shows as a scientist and as a mentor.”
2024 Ally for Women Faculty Awards
The Ally for Women Faculty Award was established to recognize allies who support and empower women colleagues in advancing their career and achieving their professional goals.
Amy Barczak, MD
Investigator, Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard
Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
The Barczak laboratory is interested in understanding the host-pathogen interface as a means to developing novel therapeutic approaches to treating tuberculosis.
Nomination Comments:
“Dr. Barczak’s advocacy extends beyond personal mentorship to community building, creating a strong collegial environment where women can support one another, strengthen their professional networks, and provide informal mentorship that is vital for career development.”
“In every interaction, Dr. Barczak exemplifies what it means to be an ally. She listens generously, advocates fiercely, and champions the success of women with an authenticity that inspires all of us to follow her lead.”
Cornelia Griggs, MD
Clinician Investigator, Department of Surgery
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School
As a pediatric surgeon and critical care specialist at MGH, Dr. Griggs applies her expertise in convergence science and health services research to improve the outcomes and quality of care for children with complex surgical conditions. She has over 10 years of experience in clinical practice, teaching, and research.
Nomination Comments:
“Dr. Griggs’ capacity to listen with empathy has enabled her to identify and address specific barriers faced by women in medicine. She is a staunch advocate for the deliberate inclusion of women in all aspects of academic surgery.”
“Dr. Griggs’ influence has led to tangible changes in organizational norms at MGH.”
“It is well known that Dr. Griggs is the faculty member in the Department of Surgery to whom female residents turn for guidance and support.”
2024 Outstanding Mentors of UiMs Awards
The Outstanding Mentor of UiMs Award was established to recognize faculty who support and empower their (underrepresented in medicine) UiM colleagues in advancing their career and achieving their professional goals and work to create a more open, equitable environment in which UiMs can thrive, grow, and attain major leadership roles.
Areej El-Jawahri, MD
Clinician Investigator, Mass General Cancer Center
Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Dr. El-Jawahri is an oncologist specializing in the care of patients with hematologic malignancies (blood cancers) and those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Her research interests include investigating patient-reported outcomes, enhancing patient-centered decision-making interventions, and designing supportive interventions to enhance patient care.
Nomination Comments:
“Dr. El-Jawahri is beyond generous with her own success, actively seeking out opportunities for her mentees. She celebrates our victories with the most uplifting enthusiasm.”
“Dr. El-Jawahri has been a role model in navigating an academic landscape where diversity is limited. She has candidly shared her own experiences, openly addressing the challenges faced by UiM faculty and offering strategies to confront bias and discrimination.”
"If I had to sum up one quality that makes Dr. El-Jawahri stand out as a mentor of UiMs, it is ‘magnanimity,’ someone with ‘greatness of soul,’ who reaches out beyond themselves to lift others up.”
Camilo Jaimes Cobos, MD
Clinician Investigator, Department of Radiology
Associate Professor of Radiology, Harvard Medical School
Nomination Comments:
“Dr. Jaimes Cobos has fostered a community of minority physicians who uplift each other, sharing resources, advice, and camaraderie. His legacy is not just in the individual careers he has helped build but in the resilient and thriving community he has nurtured—one that can sustain itself through mutual respect and support.”
“Dr. Jaimes Cobos’s professional contributions embody the core values of diversity, inclusion, and academic excellence. MGH and MGB have a remarkable asset in him—a leader who will undoubtedly play a critical role in sustaining a robust pipeline of diverse physicians.”
2024 Excellence in Clinical Mentoring Awards
The Excellence in Clinical Mentoring Award was established to recognize clinicians who serve as stellar models of best practice in patient care and provide substantive, ongoing mentorship support to fellow faculty in clinical practice across the inpatient, outpatient, or operating room setting.
Daniel Pratt, MD
Clinician Investigator, Division of Gastroenterology
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Pratt is the Clinical Director of Liver Transplantation and director of the Autoimmune and Cholestatic Liver Center at MGH. His clinical focus is on autoimmune and cholestatic liver disease including autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and IgG4-associated liver disease.
Nomination Comments:
“Dr. Pratt is emblematic of everything a mentor should be. He is a brilliant clinician and investigator who is humble and infinitely approachable. With his empathetic and kind nature, he creates a safe, non-judgmental environment for each of his mentees.”
“Dr. Pratt makes a difference every day by engaging with trainees in meaningful relationships that are linked to improved prospects.”
“Dr. Pratt was and is the embodiment of the qualities I seek as a physician (kind, supportive, knowledgeable) and he is the reason why I went into hepatology.”
Jan Shifren, MD
Reproductive Endocrinologist, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
Director, Mass General Midlife Women's Health Center
Vincent Trustees Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Shifren is a gynecologist, reproductive endocrinologist, and director of the Mass General Midlife Women’s Health Center. She specializes in both infertility and menopause, caring for women at different stages of their lives. Her clinical practice is devoted to helping women with infertility build their families and to helping midlife women with menopausal concerns.
Nomination Comments:
“Dr. Shifren is the person you want in your corner—reliable, determined, and supportive. She never loses sight of our responsibility to educate and mentor the next generation of medical professionals, reminding us of the critical role we play in shaping the future of healthcare.”
“I wouldn’t know which aspect of Dr. Shifren’s impact on my life to stress more—her clinical guidance about challenging cases that is both cutting edge and makes me a better doctor, or her work-life advice, particularly about being a physician and a mother, which was life changing. I continually quote her to others.”
2024 Principal Investigator (PI) Mentor of Trainees Award
The Outstanding Principal Mentor of Trainees Award recognizes an MGH Principal Investigator who has contributed to the success of their trainees: postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, undergraduates, or high school student(s).
Anahita Dua, MD
Physician Investigator, Department of Surgery
Associate Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Dua specializes in advanced endovascular (minimally invasive) and traditional (open) limb salvage techniques for treating peripheral arterial disease and critical limb ischemia, diabetic limb disease, aortic disease, carotid disease, thoracic outlet syndrome and venous disease.
Nomination Comments:
“Dr. Dua has spent hours working with us on our applications, advocating for us to our dream programs, consoling us after setbacks, empowering us to become leaders in our community, and inspiring us to be the change we wish to see in medicine.”
“I am impressed that she can always get students to push their boundaries, challenge themselves, and tackle adversity.”
“None of us have ever met someone as positive, inspirational, and impressive as Dr. Dua.”
Bettina Hoeppner, PhD
Investigator, Department of Psychiatry
Associate Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry
Dr. Hoeppner is an experimental psychologist with research interests in mobile health (mHealth) technologies, smoking cessation, and engagement in auxiliary addiction services (e.g., mutual help, recovery community centers).
Nomination Comments:
“Dr. Hoeppner manages to lead her research team with tact, unwavering good cheer, appreciation, and inspiration. From the earliest stages of our acquaintance, I was impressed with the trusting camaraderie evident between her and all her team members….”
“Dr. Hoeppner shows her trainees that no matter how busy it gets and how important our research is—it is fun, too!”
“Dr. Hoeppner compliments liberally and provides constructive criticism with the lightest and most empowering of touches.”
2024 Research Fellow Mentor Awards
Through this award, the MGH Postdoctoral Division (PDD) within the Center for Faculty Development Office for Research Careers (ORC) aims to recognize postdoctoral research fellows at MGH who have achieved outstanding mentoring abilities.
Carlos Huesa Berral, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Radiation Oncology Massachusetts General Hospital
Dr. Huesa-Berral's research interests are related to medical physics/biophysics. He is especially interested in the development of computational models for improving decision-making in the clinic.
Nomination Comments:
“Dr. Huesa Berral’s selflessness and dedication to fostering a supportive and collaborative atmosphere are the most extraordinary that I have ever attested to in my career.”
“Dr. Huesa Berral has had an incredibly positive impact on our broader research environment. He has supported his colleagues not only through scientific and academic guidance but also on a personal level, where his kindness and generosity truly stand out.”
Sujin Lee, MD, MS
Research Fellow, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital
Dr. Lee's clinical and research interests include vascular surgery, translational and surgical outcomes research.
Nomination Comments:
“Dr. Lee has helped to instill in more junior trainees a passion for science and medicine. In fact, she continues to mentor students who have graduated from the lab as they pursue their career in academic medicine.”
“Dr. Lee’s flexibility in adjusting to each student’s unique skill set and her ability to help them expand this set of skills is nothing short of remarkable, and I hope I can one day approach her competency in research and education.”
“Dr. Lee holds an infectious passion for conducting research and is equally passionate about uplifting her colleagues in the lab.”
Jason Marvin, PhD
Research Fellow, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
Dr. Marvin is a biomedical scientist with 11+ years of multidisciplinary experience in academic research within research and the life sciences.
Nomination Comments:
“Dr. Marvin has always been intentional about striking a balance between nurturing the scientific independence of students while providing sufficient structure in their projects to ensure that they have the necessary support, resources, and training to progress their research.”
“Dr. Marvin’s empathetic approach, coupled with his ability to provide actionable solutions and resources, have proven invaluable to students who are struggling.”
“Dr. Marvin’s commitment to community building has helped create a collaborative and fun culture within the lab that is a joy to be included in.”
About the Mass General Research Institute
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