The Yale Department of Neurosurgery celebrated Dr. Stephanie Cheok and Dr. Abhijeet Gummadavelli's successful 7-year tenure as residents at the annual Change of Chief’s Party last month. As was tradition, rising Chief residents Christopher Hong, MD and Adam Kundishora, MD hosted a roast of the graduates, followed by awards and dinner.
The department also acknowledged post-graduate trainees for their service, including spine fellows Dr. Kevin Ray and Dr. Lucas Aurich; tumor fellow Dr. Neelan Marianayagam, epilepsy fellow Dr. Sami Obaid, and stereotaxic radiosurgery fellow Dr. Sunitha Varghese.
The following awards were presented at the event, including:
- The Paul Kalanithi Award for Excellence in Neurosurgery Clinical Care went to Stephanie Cheok, MD.
- The William F. Collins, Jr., MD, Award for Outstanding Clinical Science Research went to Christopher Hong, MD.
- The William F. Collins, Jr., MD, Award for Outstanding Basic/Translational Science Research went to Adam Kundishora, MD
- The Dennis D. Spencer Award in Academic Achievement went to Aladine Elsamadicy, MD.
- The Michael L.J. Apuzzo Award for Creativity and Innovation went to Abhijeet Gummadavelli, MD.
- The Resident Teaching Award went to Stephanie Cheok, MD.
- The Faculty Teaching Award went to Sacit Bulent Omay, MD.
“The pandemic has prevented us from physically meeting as a Department for the past two years. It was wonderful to resume our annual tradition of gathering to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating chief residents and fellows, and to recognize excellence in resident and faculty patient care, research, and teaching," says Joseph King Jr., MD, associate program director of the neurosurgery residency program.