The MSV received a record number of nominations this year. All of these physicians have made such a large impact, so we wanted to acknowledge everyone nominated. Take a moment to congratulate those who were recognized by their peers, friends, and family!
About Dr. Boyer
Dr Boyer embodies the ultimate physician. He is thoughtful and erudite yet communicates with everyone, staff and patients, in a way that allows open communication and understanding.
He always goes the extra mile, working tirelessly, even on days off.
He is kind, compassionate, deeply caregiving and intentionally available for all his patients.
Nominated by Dr. Heidi Gorsuch-Rafferty
About Dr. Charles
Dr. Charles is the executive director and ambulatory quality officer for Sentara Medical Group. He focuses his time on developing learning systems within the medical group, improving both the quality of care and safety of that delivery for our community. In addition, he has been innovative in the delivery of care in an equitable manner, building new access points in underserved areas, routinely presenting this information to the Sentara board of directors. Mike gets things done and is an influential leader within the medical group, the clinical integrated network, and the system at large. In addition to all of this he remains a dedicated and highly respected family physician in his Virginia Beach office. Leader. Architect. Influencer. Healer.
Nominated by Dr. Joel Bundy
About Dr. Christmas
Dr. Christmas goes above and beyond in the care of his patients, it’s a pleasure to refer my high risk patients, because I know they will get the care they deserve.
Nominated by Dr. Biali Espinosa
About Dr. Ellenbogen
There is no one in Virginia who does not know Dr. Ken Ellenbogen, and his name is well known in the USA and worldwide.
The reason I am nominating him, however, is not because of his fame and prestige, not because of the publications and books, not because of his awards and plaques, but because of his outstanding clinical work with each and every one of his patients.
It can be Monday or Sunday, it can be 9am or 11pm, it can be a patient he has followed for years or a new consult, Dr. Ellenbogen puts in all his brainpower and work to fix that case and get it done.
His patients are lucky to have him, and we are lucky to have him as a colleague.
Nominate by Dr. Antonio Abbate
About Dr. Fairman
Dr. Paul Fairman recently passed away. He was one of the greatest physicians to ever walk the halls of the VCU Medical Center over a 40-year period. He established the medical evaluation for patients about to have a lung transplant. He established the VCU Pulmonary Hypertension Center. His impact on the educations of hundreds of physicians in training will go forever.
Nominated by Dr. Alpha A. Fowler, III
About Dr. Hoegerl
Dr. Hoegerl goes above and beyond to make the lives of those around him easier, more enriched, and excited about all of the opportunities around them. He is an excellent faculty member at Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine and advisor for several organizations on campus. He always stops to say hello and catch up, even if he is too busy. There is not a more deserving and dedicated MSV member to be recognized than Dr. Hoegerl.
Nominated by Caitlin Hodges
About Dr. Hundt
Dr. David Hundt is a combination of a top-of-the-line, evidence-based, practicing internist who has a Dr. Welby charm. Between patient visits, it is clear he reviews their charts. It is not uncommon that he has his staff call to check to see if his patient is up to date on dental and vision or other important screening examinations. He is a combination of competence and compassion at the level of ideal doctor-patient relationships we demand in our primary care physician.
Nominated by Cindy and Carl Devore, MD
About Dr. Larson
Dr. Kindra Larson currently serves as an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Urogynecology at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. She is an active member of the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (Urogynecology) Division.
I have known Dr. Larson for almost 10 years, and I can say without any hesitation that she is genuinely an outstanding, exemplary physician. Besides being a comprehensive, precise surgeon, she is equally dedicated to managing pelvic floor dysfunction with conservative, non-surgical methods. She will always spend the necessary time with our elderly patients and willing to help with all their medical needs. She will call the other providers to make sure that her patients receive the best medical care. She is well-known in our community and perceived by her colleagues as an honest, caring physician with in-depth medical knowledge and a superb vaginal surgeon. She is a local expert in many of the surgical treatments for complex urogynecological conditions.
Dr. Larson is an incredible teacher not only for medical students and residents but for our nursing staff as well. She is a real role model for our medical students, residents, and junior faculty as well.
Nominated by Dr. Peter Takacs
About Dr. Martin
As President of the Virginia Chapter of the AAP, he has advocated for the health and welfare of children in the Commonwealth and provided guidance to pediatricians. He has demonstrated remarkable leadership through a very challenging time, facilitating access to covid testing, PPE, and vaccination, as well as supporting pediatricians in the care of their patients. He has admirably represented the profession in a multitude of public forums and issues of importance. He has been a great communicator and effective advocate for children, their families, and their physicians. We congratulate Dr. Martin.
Nominated by Dr. Russell Libby
About Dr. Maughan
Dr. Karen Maughan is a faculty member in the Department of Family Medicine at UVA. She is our only female faculty member providing obstetrical care. We have a large refugee population in our International Family Medicine Clinic, which is part of our Family Medicine Clinic at the main UVA Health campus. Many of our pregnant refugee patients prefer a female provider due to cultural beliefs and Dr. Maughan has therefore frequently been called upon to assist in their deliveries as the attending, even coming in on her weekends and nights off. A large number of pregnant Afghan refugees recently arrived in Virginia, and they are also getting care at our clinic, with Dr. Maughan again managing their care and deliveries. She is a great inspiration to all of us for her dedicated service and willingness to go beyond expectation.
Nominated by Dr. Fern Hauck
About Dr. Mees-Campbell
Dr. Mees-Campbell is the Medical Director for the Psychiatry and Behavioral Health services at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. She is a psychiatry faculty member at Eastern Virginia Medical School and trains residents and medical students on a daily basis. While actively caring for vulnerable patients, Dr. Mees-Campbell has been identified as a fantastic role model for patient and team interactions, as well as a strong, supportive presence for our behavioral health interdisciplinary staff. Over the last few years during the Covid pandemic, our hospital systems have seen an onslaught of mental health crises in our emergency departments, with limited space on our psychiatric units to accommodate every patient in need. During this time, Dr. Mees-Campbell found innovative and creative ways to make sure these patients received the acute care they needed. She advocated at the highest level and engaged with multiple medical disciplines to find opportunities for safe and acute care. On a personal note, I value Dr. Mees-Campbell as a friend, colleague, and mother of two children. Her sense of humor brings a joy to our work every day. Her energy is endless, and her determination is a force to be reckoned with. I am so grateful that her passion improves the lives of patients in need of mental health.
Nominated by Dr. Shriti Patel
About Dr. Miller
Dr. Miller is a great leader and medical director.
Nominated by Dr. Navdeep Uppal
About Dr. Musio
Dr. Franco Musio has been a tremendous inspiration in so many ways for his students, multiple other physicians at all levels of training and experience, and most importantly his patients. His bedside manner, dedication and advocacy for his patients, and strong academic foundations with his adherence and teaching of the pursuit of excellence for his students, physicians, and all healthcare professionals are to be emulated. Dr. Musio has volunteered on a number of medical missions to African countries and Haiti and will include shortly upcoming visits to Ukrainian border countries to care for the poor refugees fleeing the invasion of their country. In addition, he continues to work on other volunteer projects to include his own radio show as Associate Chief Medical Correspondent of WVGM 94.5 FM (Beaufort, SC and internationally by internet) hosting a variety of medical and human interest programming in order to educate and inspire. Dr. Musio has been a role model for the medical community as a whole to follow.
About Dr. Nadkarni
Dr. Nadkarni embodies the type of doctor I want to be. He lives life in service of others, from being involved in the founding of the Charlottesville free clinic, to heading the social issues in medicine course at UVA, to restructuring the payment claims billing at UVA hospital as just a few examples. When I started medical school, I had high hopes to change the world, and while I don’t know if I will, I recognize Dr. Nadkarni for changing the world for countless people.
Nominated by Robert Cutler
About Dr. Noreika
Dr. Noreika has been growing palliative support for patients at VCU Health for over a decade despite numerous obstacles including the recent pandemic. As a physician she is known by her colleagues for her thoughtful and expert care. Her work with interdisciplinary team members to expand quality projects and improve care across the continuum will continue to provide benefit to our patients. Innovative projects that benefit communities—such as telemedicine partnership to rural hospitals—are pursued with energy and determination. Finally, all of these skills are shared in teaching a wide range of learners from medical students through our fellows.
Nominated by Egidio Dr. Del Fabbro
About Dr. Osinovsky
I am an intern at psychiatry department at UVA. Jamie is my upper level and am not a native English speaker. I was struggling with my language. She worked with me to improve my conversation skills when talking to the staff. I also had hard time adapting to the system, notes, staffing, etc. she worked with me to be a better intern. I owe her a lot.
Nominated by Alaa Abouelnasr
About Dr. Peterson
Kent is the quintessential Renaissance physician. He has a combination of intelligence charisma and charm that associated with a passion for working results and a focus on making things work in society has helped produce a generation of physicians who can navigate the Occupational Medical Review Officer training. He has also produced significant work in integrating Health and Wellness in occupational medicine. Along with wit and humor his shares himself endlessly. He is truly a remarkable physician and human being.
Nominated by Dr. Samuel Caughron
About Dr. Pletke
Dr. Pletke embodies and teaches compassionate end of life care as head of Lynchburg’s hospice programs. She exemplifies the synthesis of science and empathy in the approach to patients. In addition, she has given so much to the local medical community and the MSV as a regional board member and MSV Foundation board member.
Nominated by Dr. Janet Hickman
About Dr. Reha
I am writing on behalf of our office to tell you about Dr. William C. Reha for National Doctor’s Day. I have worked for Dr. Reha for over 11 years now. Over the years, I have seen him with countless patients. He is kind and understanding to their needs. He works hard to make sure that they understand the process and have all of their questions answered. Even on very busy days, when we may be running a bit behind, he does not rush through one patient to get to the next. If he doesn’t have an answer, he reaches out to work with other doctors to make sure they get the best treatment possible.
During this hard time with the COVID pandemic, he has not only addressed their medical needs but has been understanding to their many concerns about just leaving the house. When other doctors were taking early retirement, he worked overtime to make sure they had a safe place to come and be treated. He did telemedicine when appropriate and he spaced out the patient’s that came in to accommodate their safety and give them plenty of one-on-one time. I cannot tell you how many of his patients over the years have told us that Dr. Reha saved their lives and that they would not be here anymore if it weren’t for him. We have patient’s that come from West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and even Barbados and Egypt to see him annually. He is more than just a doctor to them; he treats them like family.
I could tell you about the countless committees he has been on, the many awards he has received, his Presidency in the Medical Society of Virginia, his work on the Board of Trustees at Strayer University. They are all things he is honored to have been a part of and he cherishes and we at his office are all very proud of him for it. But in a world where private practices are getting less and less and the feeling of walking into a medical office and feeling welcomed and really heard is not always there, Dr. Reha is one of the good ones. His patient’s well-being will always come first. The rest of his staff and I have been and continue to be inspired by his hard work and dedication all these years.
Nominated by Ms. Daphne Santiago
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Dr. Bill Reha is the epitome of a servant leader and the right leader for the current environment. His dedication to his patients and fellow colleagues is unparalleled. Bill is always willing to give 150% to make sure the job is done. He is well known in the national urology societies and in the MSV and is able to unite both national organizations to pass policy in the AMA and the MSV to ensure our patients are protected. What sets him apart is his humility and kindness in which he treats everyone. We are so thankful and blessed to have him as our MSV AMA Delegation Chair!
Nominated by Dr. Josephine Nguyen
About Dr. Singh
Dr. Singh goes above and beyond in every aspect of her life. She is very knowledgeable and is always learning. In work with patients, she is thorough, complete and accurate in diagnosis, and works collaboratively with patients to address their concerns, needs, and preferences; her documentation is superb, and she proactively advises covering colleagues about specific issues she anticipates with patients; and Era knows when to seek help. She steps up to assist others: colleagues, supervisees, and individuals/strangers in the community (documented in numerous unsolicited letters of appreciation). Her caring attitude, helping behaviors, and personal integrity make Erawadi Singh the physician to honor on Doctors’ Day 2022.
Nominated by Dr. Anita Clayton
About Dr. Smits
Dr. Robert L. Smits, Jr. is our Medical Director for Anesthesia Services at Chesapeake Regional Health Care (CRHC). During the worst days of the pandemic, Bob’s management of surgical services was an outstanding example of total focus on patient safety and best practice while protecting our staff from harm given the constant threat of viral exposure. To accomplish this, it was necessary to review and refine the American College of Surgeons recommendations for patient selection on a weekly basis and to develop a deeper understanding of “elective” surgery. Bobby was an inspiration to the entire staff; he met with every surgeon daily and, on a case-by-case basis, determined what was in our patient’s best interest. His good humor and optimism kept us together. He made himself available on a 24-hour basis and was always in the hospital for added support when tough decisions were necessary. As we emerge from this life changing experience of the COVID-19 crisis, Bob’s passion for his work and compassion for our patients has forged a stronger CRHC, one that is better able to serve patients and ready for any future challenges!
Nominated by Dr. Raymond McCue
About Dr. Taheri
Dr. Taheri is an amazing cardiologist, and he cares for his patients more than expected. He has so many patients that love him.
Nominated by Dr. Soheila Rostami
About Dr. Urbach
Dr. John Urbach is the quintessential Renaissance physician who gives selflessly of his time to the expert care of patients and excellent training of over 350 residents as the psychiatry residency program director for 28 years at MCV/VCU. He leads by example and inspires all his colleagues to be their best selves. He is an unequaled role model of outstanding clinician, educator and mentor and has remained active and committed to the residency program even after officially stepping down from the role. He is beloved by all who know and trained under him, and he is the bar by which we measure ourselves.
Nominated by Dr. Susan Waller
About Dr. Vayer
Dr. Vayer has been an active member of the MSV Board of Directors, having worn many hats over his 20+ years of service. He was vice-speaker and speaker of the House of Delegates and recently finished his term as President of the MSV during the Covid-19 pandemic with little face-to-face contact but was relentless with phone, email and written communication to our members. Dr. Vayer was chair of the search committee for our current EVP/CEO and performed admirably in vetting the candidates, choosing our own Melina Davis, an exceptional candidate for the position who has led the MSV to new heights. While doing all this, Dr. Vayer has maintained his surgical practice in Fredericksburg Virginia. He is a perfect candidate for MSV’s National Doctors’ Day Award.
Nominated by Dr. Edward Koch
About Dr. Zasler
Dr. Zasler, aka (Dr. Z), answers calls and emails 7-days-a-week, all hours of the day. He can and will figure out what you need and how to get you where you need to be. Traumatic Brain injury is scary enough but having someone who honestly goes above and beyond to help you feel like yourself again is beyond words. Great doctor.
Nominated by John Langley
