William Baumgartner, M.D., Physician of the Year
The Physician of the Year award is given to the physician who consistently achieves high standards in the practice of medicine and is looked upon as a role model by his or her peers.
Jennifer Root Mayer, M.D.
Program Director, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship
Director, Vascular Anomalies Program
Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
Colleagues and families most often use "outstanding" to describe Jennifer Mayer, a pediatric oncologist who specializes in the diagnosis and management of patients with leukemia and lymphoma. She also serves as medical director of the vascular anomalies and birthmark program, caring for patients with vascular tumors, lymphatic or venous malformations and overgrowth syndromes. Her efforts in research and clinical care of patients with vascular anomalies are helping to advance this field and improve patient outcomes.
Dr. Mayer is an outstanding leader who readily shares her expertise with colleagues. A mentor to her clinical team, she also connects learners with mentors and colleagues within the organization and on a national level. Considerate and thoughtful in partnering with families, she is attentive to details in her patients’ care to provide the best possible outcome and quality of life.
A dedicated teacher, Dr. Mayer has led the development of a three-year pediatric hematology-oncology fellowship and will serve as the inaugural program director. With input from colleagues, she has carefully considered how fellows will balance research, clinical rotations and multidisciplinary teamwork while cultivating personal growth and autonomy. Her passion for educating the next generation of clinicians in a culture of critical thinking and innovation has led other faculty members to say they wish they could be a fellow in the new program.
Fredrick M. Wigley, M.D.
Martha McCrory Professor of Medicine
Founder, Johns Hopkins Scleroderma Center
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
Fredrick Wigley is an internationally recognized expert in scleroderma and Raynaud’s phenomenon and has led and participated in much of the seminal work in this field. He founded the Johns Hopkins Scleroderma Center, pioneering the concept of a multidisciplinary center for a rare disease where patients partner in the mission of discovery. This model has been replicated not only by other centers within the Johns Hopkins Division of Rheumatology, but also by other scleroderma centers throughout the country.
Dr. Wigley’s skill and compassion inspires his colleagues and has made a marked difference in the quality of life of countless patients with this devastating disease. He believes that patients hold the key to understanding scleroderma and that skilled clinicians making careful observations will lead to important discoveries. This is evident by the success of the scleroderma registry, which includes more than 4,500 patients, and the philanthropic support Dr. Wigley’s patients have contributed to his work. “He does all of this work with a spirit of kindness and generosity that is unmatched,” noted a colleague.
Sarah Lantzy, M.D.
Physician, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
Johns Hopkins Community Physicians
Sarah Lantzy is an inspiration to everyone at her Johns Hopkins Community Physicians (JHCP) Frederick practice. An internal medicine and pediatrics physician, Dr. Lantzy embodies dedication, empathy, altruism and kindness. Since joining JHCP in 2014, her patient satisfaction and quality scores have been outstanding, year after year. Dr. Lantzy is known for her positivity, calm demeanor and respect for her patients.
In addition to patient care, Dr. Lantzy is a volunteer with the Longitudinal Ambulatory Clerkship program for Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine medical students. She also contributes to a collaborative culture by leading her practice’s joy initiatives, which include painting sessions, weekly snacks and annual baked good exchanges. Says one colleague, “She is the superglue that brings our site together.”
Christian Meyer, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medical Oncology
Johns Hopkins Hospital
As the lead medical oncologist for adult patients with sarcoma, Christian Meyer has cared for hundreds of complex patients from across the region, country and globe over the past 15 years. He is beloved by patients and colleagues alike, and “his dedication to patient care and consistent but quiet leadership are legendary within the sarcoma team across all disciplines,” his nominators wrote.
Dr. Meyer is available for his patients 24/7, 365 days a year — whether he’s responding to late-night emails or letting his visits run long to allow patients to fully express their concerns and understand treatment decisions. He is an active member in several worldwide sarcoma foundations, and was elected to Johns Hopkins’ Miller Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence in 2019. Dr. Meyer also serves as a mentor for oncology fellows.
"I have never met a physician who works harder and is more dedicated to their patients than Dr. Meyer," a colleague wrote.
Bradley Strunk, M.D.
Assistant Director of the Hospitalist Team
Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
Thoughtful about patient safety and care, Bradley Strunk’s role as the assistant director of the hospitalist team makes him an indispensable member of the Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center team. Dr. Strunk’s leadership inspires others to work diligently for the betterment of their patients. A colleague notes, “He exemplifies outstanding professionalism, unparalleled compassion and unrelenting commitment to his patients, their families and his colleagues.”
Dr. Strunk is also a staunch advocate of his subordinates while being an effective motivator for change. In the emergency department, Dr. Strunk streamlined the rounding process by bringing together hospitalists and other key stakeholders to increase throughput and decrease boarding time.
Atena Kamali, M.D.
Director of Hospital Medicine
Sibley Memorial Hospital
Atena Kamali’s clinical acumen, professionalism and leadership are exceptional. She excels as both a physician and leader, demonstrating compassion, diligence and selflessness in her work. As the director of hospital medicine at Sibley Memorial Hospital, Dr. Kamali focuses on improving patient outcomes and facilitates process improvements that deliver high-quality care for patients. Since assuming the role in 2021, she has helped to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections, hospital-acquired infections, mortality and length of stay through education for nurses and hospitalists.
Dr. Kamali has also implemented new documentation measures and restructured rounds to prioritize safe and appropriate discharges. The hospitalist group’s strong retention and metrics at Sibley speaks to her leadership skills. She is a respected colleague and clinician among team members at Sibley.
Youssef G. Comair, M.D., F.R.C.S.(C)
Professor of Neurosurgery (PAR)
Suburban Hospital
Neurosurgeon Youssef Comair has established a leading anterior and lateral skull base tumor program, significantly expanding patient access in the National Capital Region. In addition to his busy and complex clinical practice at Suburban Hospital, he actively participates in the hospital’s performance improvement program, gives educational lectures, conducts original research and has written numerous articles.
“He has achieved this greatness through integrity and commitment to patient care,” a colleague writes, adding that Dr. Comair has profoundly affected the lives of his patients, earning their admiration as well as that of his peers.
Beyond his clinical accomplishments, Dr. Comair is renowned for his kindness. “You would never guess that he is a world-class neurosurgeon,” another colleague wrote, noting that it is exceedingly rare to encounter a surgeon of his caliber who embodies such remarkable humility and compassion.
