Robert C. Cefalo House Officer Awards

Recipients of this award have demonstrated a sincere empathy for patients and their families, an effectiveness in listening to and communicating with our patients; proven advocacy for and demonstration of the highest standards of patient care and maintained exemplary professional and interpersonal interactions with colleagues, staff, patients, and visitors.

Background

This 2011 ceremony marks the third year that the award has been named in honor of Dr. Robert Cefalo, who passed away in 2008 after a lengthy battle with cancer.  Dr. Cefalo served with distinction for 25 years as director of the residency and fellowship programs at UNC Hospitals. He served as a model for the American Council on Graduate Medical Education in defining the position of Designated Institutional Official. Under Dr. Cefalo’s leadership, UNC earned national recognition for the development of “best practices” in residency and fellowship programs.

Dr. Cefalo served as President and Chairman of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.  He was President of the North Carolina Obstetrical and Gynecological Society and was honored by the North Carolina Governor’s Commission on Reduction of Infant Mortality for contributions to the improvement of maternal and infant health.  Most of all he was a mentor and dear friend to many of us.  This award was renamed the Robert C. Cefalo House Officer Award in 2008 as a permanent memorial to the legacy he has left behind.

Goals

This award is intended to honor Robert C. Cefalo, M.D., Ph.D. (FACOG), Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Assistant Dean, Head of the Offi ce of Graduate Medical Education, Emeritus, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine.

The Robert C. Cefalo, MD, House Officer Award recognizes members of the Hospitals’ Housestaff for exemplary service to patients and families, professional performance and compassionate patient care

The general criteria used for recommendation include:

  • Demonstrated empathy for patients and their families
  • Demonstrated effectiveness in listening to and communicating with patients and families
  • Advocacy for and demonstration of the highest standards of patient care
  • Exemplary professional and interpersonal interactions with colleagues, staff, patients and visitors

The chiefs of the clinical dental, medical and surgical services at UNC Hospitals have established the House Officer Award to recognize members of the Hospitals’ house staff for exemplary service to patients and families, professional performance and compassionate patient care. As many as five house officers are honored annually, based on nominations submitted by UNC attending physicians and other UNC Health Care employees.

Eligibility

Any attending physician or UNC Health Care employee may nominate any full-time house officer.

Nominations

UNC Hospitals physicians and dentists and UNC Health Care employees may submit nomination forms. Letters of support may be attached, but are not required.

Instructions to Nominators

Forms are available online at http://gme.unchealthcare.org/ or may be picked up from the Graduate Medical Education Office, first floor, West Wing.

Submit Nominations to:

House Officer Award Committee
Graduate Medical Education Office
First Floor, West Wing
Room 1107G, N. C. Memorial Hospital
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Expenditure of the Award

The awards, valued at $1,000 each, may be used over a three-year period to cover expenses associated with professional development and/or attendance of scientific conferences or meetings that will enhance the recipient’s knowledge and abilities in the health care setting.

Selection

A selection committee composed of physicians, nurses and other clinical and administrative staff evaluate nominations and recommend individuals for recognition to the Medical Staff Executive Committee.

Previous Recipients

2010-2011

Jean Ashburn, MD | General Surgery
Aaron Garrison, MD | General Surgery
Mark Joseph, MD | Critical Care Fellow

2009-2010

Paul Riesenman, MD | General Surgery

2008-2009

Megan Fuller, MD | General Surgery
Peter Steenland, MD | Neurosurgery

2007-2008

Deanna Sasaki-Adams, MD | Neurosurgery
Heather Stefaniak, MD | Urology

2006-2007

Michaux Kilpatrick, MD | Neurosurgery
Josh Unger, MD | General Surgery

2004-2005

Kristen Parker, MD | General Surgery

2002-2003

Adil Hussain, MD | Cardiothoracic
Joseph Molitierno, MD | Urology

2001-2002

Joseph Jenkins, MD | General Surgery
Karen Stitzenberg, MD | General Surgery

2000-2001

Michael Heidenreich, MD | General Surgery
Robert Mendes, MD | Vascular Surgery