Impact Awards Commend UT Health Science Excellence Across State

"The energy yesterday and the energy today makes me feel like if I come in tomorrow and then Sunday, those days will also have some great energy happening around here," Chancellor Peter Buckley, MD, said Dec. 12 of recent celebratory events, opening the 2025 Impact Awards at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Attendees from Knoxville and Chattanooga joined the Memphis-based ceremony online. Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Raaj Kurapati praised the gathering of faculty, staff, and students for the celebration and those who dedicate their careers to the institution. He also emphasized thanks to the Office of Compliance for leading recent efforts to produce the annual event.

"Now," he said, "let's get this party started."

Winners of the staff and faculty awards received $1,500, and student award recipients received a $500 stipend for professional development in the areas of health care impact and advocacy.

The Thomas C. Lichterman Outstanding Employee of the Year Award recognizes a non-exempt employee who exhibits dedicated and enthusiastic service to the university. This year's recipient, Victoria King, a barista with Starbucks Food Services, was described with "goes above and beyond," "a beloved person in the community," "a warm smile," and "great energy."

Victoria King (center left), a campus Starbucks barista, shed happy tears when she received Employee of the Year, and was joined for a photo with Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Raaj Kurapati (center right) and award finalists Michelle Bollenbach, Graduate Medical Education program specialist, and Al Jordan, Good Manufacturing Practices cleaning technician.

Jennifer Edwards, last year's Lichterman Award winner, shared King "makes people feel seen."

Jennifer Ferris, MHS, CCRC, director of the Office of Research Support in the College of Medicine - Knoxville, received the Chancellor's Exempt Staff Award. Her recognition highlights her as an exempt staff member who demonstrates outstanding dedication, resourcefulness, and leadership. The first runner-up was Megg Doolin, MSIS, lead digital projects analyst from Institutional Research.

Jonathan Wall, PhD, assistant dean of research and professor in the College of Medicine - Knoxville, presented Jennifer Ferris, director of the college's Office of Research Support, with her award during the ceremony's local watch party, where Ferris' team also joined in the festivities to celebrate her.

Balaji Krishnaiah, MD, associate professor and vice chair of Education in the Department of Neurology, received the Chancellor's Faculty Award. The award distinguishes a faculty member who shows leadership and support of the strategic plan through their performance and conduct. This includes student-centered initiatives, training programs, recruitment and retention efforts, and work in teaching, service, outreach, research, or other activities that expand understanding of the institution's values.

Dr. Krishnaiah was hailed as "a compassionate, visionary leader whose work has transformed medical education and stroke care." He redesigned the neuroscience curriculum, strengthened the neurology residency program, and inspired many students to pursue neurology. As medical director of the Methodist Comprehensive Stroke Center, he expanded regional stroke care and helped launch a countywide program. He also leads National Institutes of Health stroke research and has received numerous teaching and national awards. He's widely admired for his education of trainees and service to the Memphis community.

On right, Balaji Krishnaiah, MD, College of Medicine associate professor and vice chair of Education in the Department of Neurology, as well as chief of the Stroke Division and director of the neurology residency program, shakes hands with Executive Vice Chancellor and COO Raaj Kurapati.

Student Impact and Advocacy Leadership Awards honor students whose actions show impact and advocacy supporting the university's strategic plan for engaging communities, educational excellence, expanding research, advancing health, and developing talent.

Charles Snyder, PhD, vice chancellor for Student Success, presented the student awards.

Winners were:

• Gustavo Morrice, from the College of Dentistry, served as class president and transitioned to president of the Dental School Executive Council. He volunteered with Mid-South Health University and serves as student representative for Proctor and Gamble. His advocacy for oral health is evident in his involvement with the American Student Dental Association's Lobby Day in Washington, D.C., where he represented UT Health Sciences with integrity, emphasizing patient care and promoting access to quality care for all.
  
  
• Ishita Kathuria, from the Pharmaceutical Sciences Program in the College of Graduate Health Sciences, focuses her research on vascular inflammation and methodology work that earned competitive fellowship and national recognition. She serves as president of the Graduate Student Executive Council. She spearheaded the three-minute thesis training workshop and is developing a professional wellness series to support student success beyond the classroom. She also organized a pharmacy career symposium at St. Jude Children's Hospital.
  
  
• Lydia Latham, from the College of Health Professions, serves as fundraising chair for the Student Occupational Therapy Association. Her involvement includes work at the Rachel Kay Stevens Therapy Center for children with disabilities. She extends what she learns to her work with Childhood Equity Connection, Southern Main Center for Equity Therapy, and scholarly reviews on the impacts of psychotherapy and human-canine interactions during substance withdrawal. She applies her knowledge to mentoring peers in times of need, delivering presentations, and speaking eloquently during classroom discussions.
  
  
• Mrinmoyee Kalasikam, from the College of Medicine, is a second-year medical school student whose keen interest in research led her to work with Dr. Anna Roberts on the effects of micro and nanoplastics within pregnancy and projects in the OB-GYN department. She currently serves as a longitudinal scholar project representative for the class of 2028, compiled a database of summer research opportunities available on the school's website for her peers, and works closely with the Memphis Medical Society to host events for her peers.
  
  
• Judith Lopez Trejo, from the College of Nursing, serves as president of the National Student Nurses' Association and serves as the College of Nursing officer on the Student Government Association Executive Council. She also volunteers as a medical interpreter at College of Medicine outreach clinics, providing language support and helping bridge communication gaps for patients in need. Her involvement in the rural underserved nurse micro-credentialing program further demonstrates her commitment and understanding of these populations across Tennessee.
  
  
• Rachel Pyun, from the College of Pharmacy, is a fourth-year PharmD candidate who currently serves as president of the American Pharmacist Association Academy of Student Pharmacists for all College of Pharmacy locations. Her involvement in the organization has improved the student experience by strengthening their focus to serving their communities, finding mentors and leaders, and navigating patient access. Her commitment to the profession extended to including students at the University of Mississippi, inviting them to the mid-year regional meeting for the American Pharmacists Association.

Dr. Snyder commended the students, saying, "Your contributions are inspiring. We can't wait to see what you all accomplish in the years to come."

From left, Ishita Kathuria, from the College of Graduate Health Sciences; Lydia Latham, from the College of Health Professions; and Gustavo Morrice, from the College of Dentistry, were able to attend the event and posed with their student awards alongside Kurapati.

Vice Chancellor for Academic, Faculty, and Student Affairs Cindy Russell, PhD, RN, closed the ceremony with appreciation for all nominees and recipients.

"You are among the best of the best, and we appreciate all that you do," she said, sharing how those named effect quality, enthusiasm, leadership, advocacy, improvement, dedication, and resourcefulness. "Usually I quote a philosopher, but today I turned to Jim Carrey … 'The effect that you have on others is the most valuable currency there is.' Everything you do day in and day out has effects on others. It is so vital we all remember that. This will be a better place thanks to all of you."