Our Riverside Community Hospital Internal Medicine Residency Program recently wrapped up our Annual Awards Ceremony, and it was truly a fantastic day. Held right here at Riverside Community Hospital, the event kicked off with a wonderful luncheon, setting the perfect tone for a special afternoon. This event is always a highlight, giving us the perfect chance to really shine a light on the incredible faculty, staff, and residents who make our program so special.
It’s all about recognizing the sheer dedication, relentless hard work, and amazing achievements that knit our community together. Our residents got to nominate the folks who’ve truly gone above and beyond—from the powerhouse support staff who keep everything humming, to the brilliant educators who inspire us daily, and of course, their fellow residents who’ve absolutely crushed it this past year.
We’re so thrilled to share this year’s well-deserved award recipients. Every single one of them has contributed immensely!
Outstanding Support Awards
These are the unsung heroes, the folks who provide the essential scaffolding for our program, ensuring everything runs smoothly and supporting our residents every single step of the way.
- Outstanding Support – Research: Dr. Davis Ho, DO
- Outstanding Support – Research: Dr. Magnus To, MD
- Outstanding Support – Nursing: Ken Hashimoto
- Outstanding Support – Pharmacy: Katrina Martini
- Outstanding Support – IT Support: Sheila Capraro
- Outstanding Support – Case Management: John Riley
Future of Medicine: Medical Student of the Year Awards
A big shout-out to the bright stars rotating with us, showing immense promise for the future of medicine.
- MS3 of the Year: Edward Cao
- MS4 of the Year: Jesse Salas, MD
Teacher of the Year Awards
These incredible educators are truly shaping the next generation of physicians. These awards highlight those who pour their hearts into teaching and mentorship, going the extra mile every day.
- Teacher of the Year: Selfless Service: Dr. Dalia Dawoud, MD
- Teacher of the Year: Procedural Education: Dr. Sonja Knittel-Hliddal, MD
- Teacher of the Year: Research Leadership: Dr. Sudhakar Mallela, MD
- Teacher of the Year: Inpatient Education: Dr. Syed Naqvi, MD
- Teacher of the Year: Passion: Dr. Kaustubh Patankar, MD
- Teacher of the Year: Mentorship: Dr. Kirollos Zaki, DO
- Teacher of the Year: Dr. Masood Ahmad, MD
A Special Recognition: Lifetime Achievement Award
This year, we had the profound honor of presenting a Lifetime Achievement Award to a true pillar of our program, Dr. Greg Shimizu. As Dr. Shimizu prepares for his well-deserved retirement, we wanted to celebrate his incredible dedication. He’s been with this program since its very inception, shaping countless residents and contributing immeasurably to the success and growth of our department. His impact is woven into the very fabric of RCH Internal Medicine, and we are eternally grateful for his leadership, wisdom, and unwavering commitment.
Resident Achievement Awards
Let’s hear it for the exceptional accomplishments of our residents—they’re truly shining, whether they’re just starting out or nearing graduation.
Intern of the Year
Categorical
Amy Byeon, MD
Intern of the Year
Preliminary
Johnny Lee, MD
PGY-2 Resident of the Year
Dustin Nguyen, DO
PGY-3 Resident of the Year
Olivia Yang, MD
Dr. Zaky Dawoud Journal Club Award
Nora Zuhdi, MD
Humanitarian Award
Alessandra Pitco, MD
Resident of the Year
Audrey Tran, DO
A massive, heartfelt thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate, and a huge congratulations to all our amazing awardees! Your collective contributions are what truly make the Riverside Community Hospital Internal Medicine Program exceptional.
IM Riverside 
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