2020 Deans’ Excellence Awards recognize School of Medicine and Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing faculty, staff and teams

This year’s Deans’ Excellence Awards recognize the outstanding contributions of faculty, staff and teams across the UC Davis School of Medicine and the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing. Winners are recognized for their exceptional achievements and dedication to advancing excellence in education innovation, leading-edge patient care, groundbreaking research and transformative community partnerships.

“We are pleased to recognize the Deans’ Excellence Awardees and take this opportunity to shine a bright light on the extraordinary leadership, innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration that they are implementing throughout our schools of medicine and nursing, and in our community,” said Allison Brashear, School of Medicine dean. “Their work is improving health and changing lives.”

Award recipients are recognized among faculty, staff and interdisciplinary teams at UC Davis Health.

"It’s an honor to recognize these inspiring faculty, staff and teams,” added School of Nursing Dean Stephen Cavanagh. “Their commitment to excellence and service to our students, patients and community personifies our missions and spirit of collaborative innovation.”

Deans' Award for Excellence in Diversity

Janice Bell

Jill Joseph

Deans' Award for Excellence in Mentoring

Ruth Shim

 Staff Award for Excellence in Mentoring

Ranjana Singhal

Deans' Award for Excellence in Research

Yu-Jui Yvonne Wan

Karen Eilers Award for Staff Excellence

Joann Peters

Deans' Award for Excellence in Team Inclusion

Tonya Fancher and team members including Mustafa Shakir, Joshua Campista, Neha Mannikar, Omar Escobedo, and Brendan Tu.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tonya Fancher worked collaboratively with medical students, faculty, volunteer clinical faculty, undergraduates and staff to establish a protocol for a pilot clinic for the student-run clinics program that enabled the Shifa Clinic to re-open its doors and provide much needed in-person visits for underserved community members. The pilot clinic became a central hub for all the student-run clinics to refer patients. Physicians and students from the other clinics also volunteered at the pilot clinic, making it an effective collaborative effort to improve the health of the community during the pandemic. 

Deans' Team Award for Excellence

The UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine’s Public Health Screening (PHASE) program and Bridge program provide health care services that enhance the quality of life for vulnerable community members. They also improve public health through strong partnerships with local and regional community organizations.

The PHASE program team, led by Larissa May, and the Bridge program team, led by Aimee Moulin, have made a significant difference in our region’s public health.

PHASE members include May, Tasleem Chechi and Stephanie Voong. Bridge Program team members include Moulin, Tommie G. Trevino, Sandra Lynn Overby and Jovon Jason Beck.

Since December 2018, PHASE has conducted universal screening for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Members have successfully identified and provided care linkages and care coordination to high-risk patients testing positive for HIV and HCV.

Likewise, Bridge provides a 24/7 treatment access point for individuals who engage in substance use. The program’s Substance Use Navigator team is skilled in supporting individuals as they transition into treatment and, ultimately, recovery.

Both teams have continuously provided exceptional services to local and regional communities despite COVID-19 challenges. To increase community engagement and build long-lasting partnerships, the programs’ teams will partner in the coming year to screen for HIV, HCV and syphilis in high-risk patients receiving a substance use navigator consult in the emergency department, as well as the inpatient setting.

“I congratulate all of this year’s awardees and thank them for their leadership and extraordinary contributions that help make UC Davis Health a destination for world-class and life-changing health care,” said UC Davis Health CEO David Lubarsky.