Excellence in Service and Professionalism
The Excellence in Service and Professionalism award is presented to the physician who actively promotes a culture that embraces, expects and rewards the delivery of patient- and family-centered care.
Jenny Dolan, M.D.
Director, General Anesthesia
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
Jenny Dolan demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to patient care, teamwork and innovation. During the past few years, this has been evident through her leadership in establishing the Preoperative Optimization Clinic. A growing number of medically complex and fragile patients are undergoing surgery at the hospital, and many require extensive preoperative planning to increase their readiness for surgery. Dr. Dolan recognized this need and pioneered the Preoperative Optimization Clinic, which brings together surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists and advanced nurse practitioners to work collaboratively to ensure that each patient is prepared to the greatest extent possible. This has improved surgical outcomes by addressing patients’ unique needs in advance.
Through clear communication about what to expect before, during and after surgery, Dr. Dolan has helped reduce patient and family anxiety. By answering questions and alleviating the family’s stress, she has fostered an environment of trust and confidence. These efforts have led to a reduced rate of day-of-surgery cancellations and enhanced the safety and quality of care for complex patients.
Dr. Dolan’s commitment goes well beyond her regular clinical duties. She is available 24/7 to the perioperative team to answer questions, guide care and ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. Her leadership, dedication and ability to bring together multidisciplinary teams set a benchmark for excellence and professionalism in the care of patients.
Timur Suhail-Sindhu, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
For the past two years, Timur Suhail-Sindhu has been the primary psychiatrist for the Comprehensive Addiction and Pregnancy (CAP) track within Addiction Treatment Services. Working in CAP can be very challenging — many of the women have severe substance use disorders, high-risk pregnancies and extensive histories of trauma. When Dr. Suhail-Sindhu joined the CAP team, it quickly became clear that he was different from previous psychiatrists. He makes a consistent effort to get to know his patients and make sure they feel cared for, listened to and respected. He tailors their care based on their wants and needs — not just their symptoms — and places significant value on the role of psychotherapy in their treatment.
Patients often praise Dr. Suhail-Sindhu’s compassionate care, stating that they feel safe and comfortable in his presence, and feel that he truly listens to them in ways that previous psychiatrists have not. “One of the most significant things he has done for this program is to create a very strong sense of team among the clinicians,” a colleague noted. “Our patients can sense this, and knowing that we all work together allows them to trust each of us individually and as a whole.”
Nina Guo, M.D.
Office Medical Director
Johns Hopkins Community Physicians
Nina Guo is the epitome of service and professionalism. She is always generous, kind and helpful, even under demanding circumstances. She tackles difficult situations with grace and respect. As a pediatrician, Dr. Guo is helpful to parents, always willing to answer messages through MyChart. She has also been known to call worried parents, even when she is not in the office. Her patients love her, and many have transferred to her because of her bedside manner.
As her practice’s office medical director, Dr. Guo pushes for changes to benefit patients. Says one patient, “[Dr. Guo] treated our newborn son with careful hands and a kind voice. She made sure to give us time to ask our plethora of first-time parents’ questions, and she answered every single one with care and with no judgment.”
Rashmi Prasad, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Rashmi Prasad has earned a reputation of unwavering excellence, professionalism and leadership. Her expertise is matched by her ability to foster collaboration and respect, making her a standout leader in her field. At the Johns Hopkins Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Dr. Prasad ensures her team has clear, actionable goals while creating an environment that thrives on teamwork and respect.
Beyond her leadership, Dr. Prasad has been instrumental in the oversight of ambulatory and regional anesthesia services at both the Watkins Outpatient Center and at the Johns Hopkins Surgery Center Series. Her collaborative efforts have helped establish multiple high-value ambulatory service lines, such as total joint replacement and electrophysiology, enhancing patient care and surgical outcomes.
A colleague of Dr. Prasad’s wrote, “Her professionalism, integrity and dedication to the department makes her an outstanding leader and a strong contender for the award.”
Eric Aldrich, M.D.
Section Chief of Neurology and Director of the Stroke Center
Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
Known for his unfailing good humor and willingness to help, Eric Aldrich is an outstanding and highly respected neurologist. As the section chief of neurology and director of the stroke center, he deftly manages to run a busy inpatient service while ensuring that every patient at the center receives care that exceeds recognized standards. “Dr. Aldrich’s peers frequently seek his expert advice,” says a colleague. “They know that he is as good at diagnosing the proverbial ‘zebras’ as he is at recognizing regular ‘horses!’ Regardless of how many patients he sees in the day, every patient and their family receives evidence-based, thoughtful and patient-centered care.”
Thanks to Dr. Aldrich’s leadership, Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center has been continuously certified as a primary stroke center by the state of Maryland.
Patrick Mufarrij, M.D.
Division Chief for Urology
Sibley Memorial Hospital
Under the leadership of Patrick Mufarrij, Sibley Memorial Hospital has become a center of excellence for endourology. Dr. Mufarrij is known for his precision in surgical techniques, particularly in percutaneous nephrolithotomy and ureteroscopy. His experience with complex stone surgeries has earned him a loyal patient following and respect from his peers.
Dr. Mufarrij is also known for his remarkable bedside manner. He approaches each patient with empathy and understanding, taking time to listen to their concerns and explain treatment options in a way that is both compassionate and clear. Dr. Mufarrij’s ability to connect with patients and address their needs beyond medical procedures, as well as his compassion, clinical expertise and dedication to education, set him apart as a true leader in his specialty.
Rebecca Shaffer, M.D.
Infectious Diseases Consultant
Suburban Hospital
Since joining the Suburban Hospital medical staff in 2006, Rebecca Shaffer has embodied the highest values of the medical profession, as well as a remarkable ability to connect with her patients. Dr. Shaffer “prides herself in developing relationships with patients and putting them at ease,” a colleague wrote.
She also fosters supportive and collaborative relationships with colleagues, always striving to identify the safest and most effective treatment regimen for patients with complex clinical problems, including sepsis of unclear etiology. Dr. Shaffer “exemplifies the core values of caring, commitment, integrity and teamwork, and constantly stands out through her contributions to quality, the practice of medicine, patient education and continued professional growth.”
