Every day, our employees work tirelessly to advance our missions of education, research, clinical care and community service. Established in 1985, the Presidential Excellence Awards recognize exemplary performance by individuals who consistently excel in their positions and demonstrate a strong commitment to the mission and core values of UT Health San Antonio. The annual awards provide the university the opportunity to recognize outstanding faculty and staff contributions.
Many deserving faculty and staff were recently nominated to be honored with a Presidential Excellence Award for demonstrating exceptional service in their respective fields. I am grateful to the selection committees, led by Jacqueline Mok, PhD, Vice President for Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs, and Danielle McDavid, PHR, Strategic Human Resources Partner, in the Office of Human Resources, for their careful review of those nominated and their selection of the following awardees.
Please join me in congratulating our 2023 Presidential Excellence Award recipients who will be honored with a plaque and cash award during an April dinner.
Distinguished Research Scholar
Ratna K. Vadlamudi, PhD, Professor and Vice Chair for Research, Division of Reproductive Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Long School of Medicine
Clinical Excellence
Shweta Bansal, MD, FASN, Professor/Clinical, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Long School of Medicine
Karen Schwab, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS, Associate Professor/Clinical and Director of Pediatric Services – Wellness 360, Office of Faculty Excellence, School of Nursing
Teaching Excellence – Emerging
Megan Freeman, MD, Associate Professor/Clinical, Division of Hospital Medicine, Long School of Medicine
Kimberly Hughes, DNP, RNC-OB, CNS, Assistant Professor/Clinical, Office of Faculty Excellence, School of Nursing
David Ojeda Diaz, DDS, Assistant Professor/Clinical, Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, School of Dentistry
Teaching Excellence – Sustained
Andrea Berndt, PhD, Associate Professor, Office of Faculty Excellence, School of Nursing
Stephanie M. Levine, MD, Professor and Vice Chair of Education, Division of Pulmonary Diseases & Critical Care Medicine, Long School of Medicine
Bruce J. Nicholson, PhD, Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology, Long School of Medicine
Margarita Vasquez, MD, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Long School of Medicine
Employee Excellence
Jack Frost, MBA, PMP, IT Change Management Analyst-Senior, Project Portfolio Management & Delivery Transition Solutions
Deanne Hargita, MPA, CCRP, Manager, Research Compliance, Strong Star ORU
Laura Paprotta, MLA, Assistant Director, International Services, Office of International Services
Cesar Ramirez Jr., RN, Nurse Supervisor, Radiation Oncology, Mays Cancer Center
Beth Wueste, PhD, MAEd, C-TAGME, LSSBB, Director, Academic Assessment & Compliance, Office of Academic Affairs, School of Nursing
Team Excellence
UT Health San Antonio Police Mental Health Unit
Team Leader: Timothy Gutierrez, Lieutenant, UT San Antonio Police Department
Team Members:
Divine Peoples, Officer II, UT San Antonio Police Department
Jaime Saenz, Sergeant, UT San Antonio Police Department
Douglas Schramm, Sergeant, UT San Antonio Police Department
Georgina Scribner, Officer IV, UT San Antonio Police Department
Peggy Wells, Officer I, UT San Antonio Police Department
I offer my sincerest congratulations to all.
William L. Henrich, MD, MACP
President and Professor of Medicine
John R. Howe, III, M.D., Distinguished Chair in Health Policy