2021 House Staff Commencement Ceremony Highlights

RELEASE DATE: July 8, 2021

On June 9, 2021, the Ochsner Academics Department of Graduate Medical Education hosted its annual House Staff graduation. The commencement ceremony was held to celebrate and recognize resident and fellow physicians completing their core and specialty training with our institution.

This year’s annual event marks the completion of medical training for 95 residents and fellows in Ochsner-sponsored programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

The return of an in-person event was possible due to all attendees having received their COVID-19 vaccines, making this event free of masks and social distancing. Video live-streaming was available for families, faculty and house staff who were unable to attend in person.

The event kicked off with opening comments presented by Leonardo Seoane, MD, Chief Academic Officer, Ronald Amedee, MD, Dean of Medical Education, Rajiv Gala, MD, Graduate Medical Education Designated Institutional Official, and Robert Hart, MD, Chief Medical Officer.

The following special awards were presented to our Ochsner Physician Leaders in Academics as well as selected House Staff:

2021 Hurst B. Hatch Outstanding Teacher Of The Year Award

The award is presented on behalf of the OCH House Staff to express gratitude and appreciation to the faculty members for their devotion to teaching excellence. This year’s recipients selected were:

• Medicine Programs – awarded to Obinna Nnedu, MD – Infectious Disease
• Surgery Programs – awarded to Robert Treuting, MD – Orthopaedic Surgery

2021 Case Report Writing Award

Eligible papers are written in an acceptable form for most medical journals. Writings report a single case or small group of cases. This year’s award was presented to Sergey Kachur, MD – Cardiovascular Disease for his paper titled: A Non-Invasive Physiologic Strategy for the Management of Left Mail Coronary Artery Disease

2021 Dean H. Echols Writing Award

The award was established in 1963 in honor of Dr. Dean H. Echols for his interest and contributions to GME programs. This year’s award was presented to Tamunoinemi “Emi” Bob-Manuel, MD – Cardiovascular Disease for his paper titled: Outcomes Following Endovascular Therapy for Acute Stroke by Interventional Cardiologists

2021 Edward D. Frohlich, MD Research Writing Award

The award was established to recognize Dr. Frohlich’s professional expertise and scientific contributions demonstrated by hundreds of publications in medical textbooks and peer reviewed journals related to hypertension. This year’s award was presented to Sergey Kachur, MD – Cardiovascular Disease for his

paper titled: Development and validation of a multivariable risk prediction model for COVID-19 mortality in the Southern United States

2021 Alton Ochsner Resident Leader of the Year Award

The award is presented in honor of Dr. Alton Ochsner to the resident or fellow who symbolizes Ochsner’s collective commitment to the patients we serve demonstrating the spirit of caring, excellence, and leadership. This is the highest award presented to a graduating house staff. This year’s award recipient was presented to Scott Rooney, MD – Anesthesiology, GMEC Resident Member Representative.

Ronald Amedee, MD, Dean of Medical Education and Head of The University of Queensland-Ochsner Clinical School, congratulated all of the residents and fellows on their accomplishment.

“This is  more than the conclusion of your medical training, it’s the start of what I hope will be a joyful and rewarding career,” he said.

The  evening concluded with a “toast and thank you,” which has become a tradition with the annual ceremony.

Congratulations to all House Staff graduates!