Accolades

April 2026

April 2026

Valarie Stark, MD,  Resident, Internal Medicine - GW SMHS

I worked with Dr Valerie Stark during my internal medicine clerkship and was always struck by how caring she was for her patients while also taking the time to help each and every medical student on the team learn and feel valued. Today a patient told me that Dr. Stark restored her trust in medicine by empowering the patient with knowledge and making her feel like part of the team. In the patient’s own words, “Dr Stark made healthcare less scary and I now feel like I trust medical teams more than I used to”. It’s not often that someone gets that type of praise. I’ve seen it happen in real time and have seen the longstanding effects Dr. Starks approach has today

 

Alexa Williams, MD - Resident, Surgery - GW SMHS

Dr. Williams was exceptional as the intern on the team. We worked together during her first few weeks of residency, She took the time to help students learn and provided us opportunities to help with bedside procedures. She also was very kind when I mentioned that I was applying to general surgery residency — she provided great advice on application materials and even offered to review my personal statement.” 

 

Stephanie L. Sarandos, MA - Assistant Dean for Evaluation, MD Program - GW SMHS

There’s a hidden gem on the leadership team, Dean Sarandos. Stephanie is a true professional, a great collaborator, and a strong and steady leader. Having worked with her and her team on several projects, it’s easy to see how much respect she’s earned (and why) and how valued her team feels, both as people and as professionals. That kind of positive work environment leads to their exceptional work and work they’re genuinely proud of. With so much change happening right now, it’s important not to lose sight of just how meaningful that kind of leadership is.

 

Aida Aryan, Curriculum Coordinator, OME - GW SMHS

Aida Aryan has been outstanding. She has always been responsive and engaging with students. She brightens everyone's day. She has done a great job helping facilitate the course. We are all appreciative of everything she has done. 

March 2026

Dr. Rebecca Yee, Faculty, Pathology​​ - GW SMHS

Dr. Yee is a phenomenal faculty member. Medical students, residents, and fellows make real progress during clinical microbiology because she calibrates her teaching and mentorship to match their goals. She gives trainees space to lead and medical students room to learn while guiding the discussion with purposeful questions. Dr. Yee's influence directly shaped my own career trajectory, and I am entirely grateful that our paths crossed.

 

Dr. Caile Criscione, Resident, Psychiatry & Behavioral Health​​​ - GW SMHS

Caile is just starting out as an intern and yet she took the time and energy to teach us and truly make us feel welcome. She was one of the kindest residents I have had the pleasure of working with.

 

Dr. Jeska Guirguis, Resident, Internal Medicine​​ - GW SMHS

Dr. Jeska Guirguis was an excellent educator. She was kind, knowledgeable, and took intentional time out of her schedule to work with us one on one and ensure that we were able to advance our learning.

 

February 2026

Dr. Manjari Dimri, Faculty, Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine​​ - GW SMHS

Dr. Dimri was my favorite professor! She made the second exam, which was full of biochemistry, so much fun and digestible, and this is coming from someone who hates biochemistry. She was always so easy to talk to, whether it was about course content or about life. I don't think I would have done as well as I did without her support (explaining concepts again when I didn’t  understand the practice questions and always relating what we learned in class to previous lectures). Thank you Dr. Dimri!

 

Dr. Elisha Musih, Resident, Internal Medicine & Primary Care - GW SMHS

Elisha Musih was the absolute best role model/mentor for internal medicine. He made sure to check in with the students to aid their learning and always suggested what the best patients would be for us to carry. He made the atmosphere less daunting, especially with IM being our first rotation. He always had tips and tricks for us and would always offer to go over our presentations with us before rounds. He is one of the best examples of who a healthcare provider should be. He was efficient but genuinely cares about patients, students and their wellbeing.

 

Dr. Sanyukta Deshmukh, Resident, Pediatrics - Children's National Hospital

I want to recognize Dr. Sanyukta Deshmukh. She was a beacon of calm and organization in the midst of very chaotic schedules, yet she never failed to prioritize our education. Dr. Deshmukh's commitment to our individual professional development goals was truly impressive, and she dedicated time to helping us learn skills and knowledge that will serve us in our careers. Her ability to answer questions clearly and simply, paired with her deep knowledge, made her an incredible mentor.

 

Dr. Arthur Harrow, Faculty, Primary Care​ - Sinai Hospital

Dr. Harrow was so genuinely kind and supportive; there was no question I feared to ask, and I felt so thoroughly backed up during my solo encounters (if I asked him to feel a thyroid just to confirm it was ok, he did and never made me feel bad for it).Dr. Harrow provides a positive and fun learning environment, where I felt comfortable to perform at my level of training.

 

Dr. Tania Alchalabi, Faculty, Geriatrics & Palliative Medicine - GW SMHS

Dr. Alchalabi created a supportive and engaging learning environment that greatly enhanced my understanding of geriatric care. Her clear explanations, thoughtful approach to patient management, and willingness to involve me in decision-making allowed me to apply clinical knowledge in a real-world context. Additionally, her encouragement to ask questions and discuss complex cases fostered a deeper understanding of both clinical and interpersonal aspects of patient care. I truly appreciated her mentorship throughout this rotation.

January 2026

Dr. Chrystal Nelson, Resident, Obstetrics and Gynecology​ - GW SMHS

Dr. Chrystal Nelson is an exceptional resident and a highly dedicated educator. During my GYN laparoscopic surgery case, she went above and beyond to look out for me as the medical student, ensuring I was both comfortable and engaged. Dr. Nelson’s commitment to fostering surgical skills in students is truly commendable, and I am extremely grateful for her guidance.

 

Dr. Ahdeah Pajoohesh-Ganji, Faculty, Anatomy and Cell Biology - GW SMHS

Dr. Ganji just helped us all with so much respect and happiness. She was very approachable!

 

Dr. Celeste Jilich, Faculty, Obstetrics and Gynecology​ - GW SMHS

Working with Dr. Jilich was an incredible experience; she is a truly gifted educator who takes a genuine interest in her mentees' growth and development. Dr. Jilich fosters a calm and supportive team environment, actively introducing her medical assistants and students to patients, which makes everyone feel like a valuable part of the team. This collaborative atmosphere is a testament to her leadership, making her a phenomenal role model for how to balance empathy, efficiency, and excellent patient care, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from her.

 

Dr. Mohammed Shahid, Resident, Surgery​ - GW SMHS

Dr. Shahid was such a good role model because he took the time to teach during rounds and effectively demonstrated what are the most important barriers to discharge and long-term plans for each of these patients (i.e. what the plan should be for the entire length of hospital stay).

 

Dr. Ebun Falade, Resident, Pediatrics​ - Children's National Hospital

I am so grateful to Dr. Ebun Falade for her thoughtful approach and expertise. She has a wonderful ability to soothe babies and infants, and her communication skills with families were truly remarkable. She taught me invaluable lessons on how to best navigate and discuss the Parent Talk. Dr. Falade's ability to pay attention to patient preferences and effectively adapt to team dynamics made her an essential and highly valued member of the service.

 

Dr. Caroline Bockus, Faculty, Internal Medicine and Primary Care​​ - GW SMHS

Dr. Bockus is an incredible mentor. She embodies all the qualities I aspire to have as a physician. She gives constructive feedback but also provides a safe space to learn. Dr. Bockus seamlessly integrates clinical knowledge, public health principles, and patient-centered care in her clinic, providing a safe and enriching learning environment.

Cumulative Learning Environment Accolades