Internal medicine graduates and residents honored

Internal medicine faculty and third-year residents attend the department's annual awards banquet.

The USA Health Department of Internal Medicine recently hosted its graduation and annual awards banquet during which its interns, residents and fellows were recognized, and various awards were presented.   

Anas Khouri, M.D.

Nasser Lakkis, M.Sc.-M.D., FACC, professor and chair of internal medicine, and Judy Blair-Elortegui, M.D., director of the internal medicine residency program and associate professor of internal medicine, recognized the following physicians:  

Fares Hujier, M.D., a hospitalist and assistant professor of internal medicine, received the John Bass Award for Excellence in Teaching as the attending physician interns and residents deemed as the most instrumental in enriching the academic experience.  

Haris Manan, M.D., a rising third-year resident, was presented the Les Sockwell Award, named for a senior resident in the combined Medicine/Pediatrics program who passed away in a car accident in 2003. It honors Sockwell’s humanitarian nature and compassion for others. Residents at any level of training are eligible to be considered for the award.  

Manan also received the Samuel Eichold Award in recognition of his community service activities that he has led for fellow residents and his ongoing support for the residency community in numerous ways.   

Anas Khouri, M.D., a graduate of the program, was given the P.D. McGehee Award for his excellence in scholarly writing. 

Garrett Reid McClenny, M.D.

Khouri also received the Victor Benator Award, which is named for a resident who died from injuries sustained in a car accident in 1977. Benator was best known for his ability to lead by example and his avid desire to teach, so this honor is given in recognition of personal and professional excellence with special emphasis on teaching. 

Garrett Reid McClenny, M.D., another graduate, was presented the John C. Schultz Award in honor of its namesake’s dedication to medical scholarship and pursuit of lifelong education. McClenny was selected by program leadership for his conference attendance and participation in learning activities.  

Additional awards presented include:  

Department Awards   

Outstanding Support Award 
Brian Hulon  
Digital health audio/visual specialist, Whiddon College of Medicine  

Best Clinical Teacher Award 
Philip Almalouf, M.D. 
Pulmonologist and assistant professor of internal medicine   

Best Resident Advocate Award  
Yun Coronado, M.D. 
Hospitalist and assistant professor of internal medicine  

Best Professional Role Model Award 
Fares Hujier, M.D. 
Hospitalist and assistant professor of internal medicine 

Subspecialty Attending of the Year Award  
Emad Al Jaber, M.D.  
Nephrologist and assistant professor of internal medicine  

Intern of the Year Awards   

Preliminary Intern of the Year  
Sarah Fillingim, M.D.    

Categorical Intern of the Year  
Garrett Tobin, M.D.