Inspiration Award honoree listings, last names N-Z

Adrienne Nguyen

"Adrienne Nguyen is a rising leader in medicine whose dedication to advocacy, policy and equity is already making a national impact. As the Medical Student Section representative on the WPS governing council, she brings a student voice to the table with clarity, purpose, and vision. Her attention to detail in drafting and organizing testimony for resolutions demonstrates how strategic planning can drive real change. She pairs passion with preparation, ensuring that advocacy is both heartfelt and effective. Adrienne is compassionate, driven and wise beyond her years, an inspiration to peers and mentors alike."

Nominated by Rachel Solnick

Lisa M. Nijm, MD, JD

“Dr. Lisa Nijm is a model of excellence for young ophthalmologists. Not only does she run her own busy and influential clinical practice, she also spends her time teaching trainees at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary.

The impact she has extends nationally, as she is the founder of Real World Ophthalmology, an organization that connects young ophthalmologists and trainees with leaders in the field. Through events at RWO, I have met mentors and connected with mentees. It makes the world of ophthalmology accessible in a way that other national organizations have not.

Dr. Nijm is also the CEO of Women in Ophthalmology, which promotes topics on female empowerment in a field that is still mostly male. Local and national WIO events range from formal to informal, spanning a range of topics for female ophthalmologists.

Speaking for myself, Dr. Nijm has been an example of how to be high-achieving, compassionate, driven and generous all at the same time. She has always offered plentiful advice to me and other young ophthalmologists. She is a consistent presence in ophthalmology, a strong woman who has always held a spot in the 'Power Lists' of ophthalmology, and shows other women that it is possible for them to do the same. She shows that female leadership is not just about one's own achievements, but about how one can help other women to achieve as well."

Nominated by Violet Lin

Natalie Nokoff, MD

"I am honored to nominate Dr. Natalie Nokoff. Her mentorship over the past 5 years has shaped my career and values, inspiring my pursuit of inclusive, compassionate medical care through science, service and advocacy. It has also led to my pursuit of additional training via the women's health/sex and gender medicine and research tracks in medical school."

Nominated by Jaclyn Lo

Sarah C. Nosal, MD, FAAFP

"When I think about what it means to be a truly humanistic family physician, I think about Sarah Nosal. Constantly fighting for her patients to receive equitable care and ensuring their lived experiences are honored by hearing their voices, she inspires me to continue fighting the good fight even when times feel hard. She lives her inclusivity and role models integrating tech with love to deliver the type of care I wish all people could access. Thank you for being you!"

Nominated by Margot Savoy

Alyce M. Oliver, MD, PhD

"Dr. Oliver is an exceptional mentor and rheumatologist. She brings heart to teaching future physicians and delivers outstanding, compassionate patient care. A true listener and expert in her field, she leaves a lasting impact on all who work with her."

Nominated by Amoolya Vayalapalli

Bhartiben Patel, MD, MS, ABDA, FAPA

"I nominate Dr. Bhartiben Patel. She inspired my passion to be a life-long learner, guiding me through medical school and now pharmacy school, and fosters a delicate work/life balance. Her dedication to patient care and medical education truly exemplifies the spirit of this award."

Nominated by Vipul Patel

Niru Prasad, MD

"Dr. Niru Prasad is a true inspiration for me, and our whole community!  She has over 40 years of experience and her relentless journey is still ongoing, taking care of the community, delivering lectures, writing articles and educating youngsters. She is a pioneer in bringing preventive measures to mitigate injuries and diseases in pediatric."

Nominated by Rushdah Malik

Sara Sar, DO

"Dr. Sara Sar is a charismatic and empowering physician and educator; her empathy, professionalism and collaborative approach to patient care sets a powerful example of the physician I aspire to become. Her mentorship has had a lasting impact on my growth and confidence as a medical trainee expanding my interest in women's health to OB/GYN as a specialty."

Nominated by Jaclyn Lo

Kemia M. Sarraf, MD, MPH, CCC, TIPC

"Dr. Kemia Sarraf is a trusted and treasured faculty and mentor at Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine. She takes care of people, breathes life back into their broken spirits by giving them her time, energy, benefit of her tremendous experience and wisdom. She has helped me understand my potential and inspires me to live my dreams." 

Nominated by Vidhya Prakash

Sumi Makkar Sexton, MD

"Consistently excellent and committed to educating our fellow family physicians, you inspire me to stay sharp, Sumi. Your mastery of cutting-edge research and latest clinical guidelines, along with your remarkable talent for making science accessible to primary care doctors all across the world, is truly admirable. You make me a better family physician, and I am truly grateful. Thank you!"

Nominated by Margot Savoy

Natalia Solenkova, MD, PhD

"Natalia has been an inspiring presence and a guiding light in the world of advocacy, particularly within the AMA. Her infectious passion for advocacy is palpable, and over the past three years, I have learned so much from her. Her consistent support, confidence, and depth of knowledge have made a lasting impact on me."

Nominated by Roopa Naik

E. Vanessa Spearman-McCarthy, MD

Marta Van Beek, MD, MPH

"Few people in this world can be everything to everyone, but I'm confident Dr. Marta Van Beek is the prototype for that accolade. Marta's heart and humility shine through in everything that she does, and whenever I find myself in need of guidance and wisdom beyond anything I could hope to have myself, I look to her. She has helped me navigate my career in dermatology, my professional societies, and difficult life challenges. Remarkably, she does it all with joy, hope, grace and unassuming brilliance. Her passion and courage endlessly inspire me, and she is most deserving of this recognition."

Nominated by Klint Peebles

G. Joy Walton MD, MPH

"Dr. Joy Walton has been an instrumental figure in the success of many diverse projects. Her leadership and deep expertise have guided our team through complex challenges, ensuring that every phase of an initiative aligns with both community needs and research based outcomes. As a mentor, Dr. Walton brings a rare blend of compassion and strategic insight. She fosters a collaborative environment where team members feel encouraged to think critically and push boundaries, while also emphasizing the importance of listening to diverse perspectives.

Her ability to translate intricate health data into actionable solutions is clutch. She advocates for equity at every step, making sure that vulnerable populations are at the forefront of the discussion. She is not only a problem solver but a visionary, constantly reminding the team of the larger goal: improving outcomes by addressing the social factors that often go unnoticed.

Beyond her technical expertise, Joy's mentorship style is one of inclusivity and empowerment. She invests in her mentees, offering both guidance and the freedom to explore new ideas. Her unwavering commitment reflects her passion for creating systemic change, making her an invaluable mentor and leader."

Nominated by Brittany Childs