Duke Pathology members enjoyed coming together for our Residents' and Fellows' Graduation and Awards Ceremony at the Washington Duke Hotel on Fri., June 6th, 2025. Johnston-West Endowed Department Chair of Pathology Jiaoti Huang, MD, PhD, and Residency Program Director Thomas J. Cummings, MD, opened with a warm welcome and introduced our keynote speaker, Duke alumnus Michael “Mike” Borowitz, MD, PhD. He’s the founding director of Johns Hopkins Medicine’s Hematopathology Fellowship Program, a role he held for more than 25 years before recently retiring. Earlier that day, Borowitz presented a Duke Pathology Grand Rounds talk titled “A Long Way From E-rosettes: A 50 Year Journey Through Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.”
Huang opened by saying, “It’s always bittersweet at an event like this because we’re losing some of our very good trainees. I know they’ll go to other places and do wonderful things for many patients, for which I’m very pleased. I’m also happy that many will remain here to train and work with us.”
Borowitz congratulated the outstanding group of graduates and applauded them for committing to use their knowledge as pathologists to help others. He offered them these parting thoughts:
- We can’t predict the future but there will be change. With that change comes opportunity.
- Stay curious, keep learning, and embrace the change that’s coming.
After Borowitz’s presentation, Cummings led the awards ceremony. He invited mentors of the graduating residents to share backgrounds and kudos of their students, which was followed by a farewell presentation to fellows by their specialty’s fellowship directors. The graduating class then came to the stage to recognize and honor various faculty members.
He also praised the behind-the-scenes efforts of those who organized the ceremony and support our programs, recognizing Residency Program Staff Specialist Ginger Griffin; Graduate Medical Education (GME) Program Coordinator Jawanna Bell, CEAP; and Fellowship Program Coordinator Brittany Harris.
Cummings concluded, “I want to thank everyone in Duke Pathology, collectively. It’s a great team. I’ve been here since day one of my own residency, and I have never wanted to be anywhere else.”
Cummings closed out the evening by praising the graduates’ many accomplishments, thanking their supportive families, and sharing an inspirational story of a friend, leaving the audience with the message to “give more than you take.”
He presented the following awards:
Photo credit: Michelle Johnson, MHS, PA (ASCP)CM
- The Edward H. Bossen Team Player Award is presented to the resident or fellow who has distinguished themself in their commitment, values, work ethic, and contribution to team morale. Recipients are chosen by votes from their peers and faculty. This year’s winner is Natalya Ramirez, MD, who received the award last year as well.
- The William D. Bradford Resident Teaching Award recognizes that Pathology resident or fellow who in the opinion of the residents has distinguished themself in teaching effort and ability. This year’s winner is Dr. Meg Lee, MD, who also received the award the last two consecutive years.
- The Bernard F. Fetter Anatomic Pathology Faculty Teaching Award in honor of this skillful anatomic pathologist and master teacher, the Pathology residents recognize that faculty member whose skills, knowledge, and attitudes have been most influential in their education. This year’s winners are Associate Professor Avani Pendse, MBBS, PhD, and Assistant Professor Jeffrey L. Arnold, MD.
- The Bernard F. Fetter Clinical Pathology Faculty Teaching Award in honor of this skillful clinical pathologist and master teacher, the Pathology residents recognize that faculty member whose skills, knowledge, and attitudes have been most influential in their education. This year’s winner is Associate Professor Nicholas Bandarenko, MD.
- The Christine Hulette Award for Teaching Excellence in the Duke School of Medicine recognizes the Pathology resident who in the opinion of the Pathology teaching faculty have distinguished themselves in teaching effort and ability in the Foundations of Patient Care course. This year’s winner is PGY-4 Tyler Wildes, MD, PhD.
- The Fred and Janet Sanfilippo Resident Research Award recognizes the Pathology resident or fellow who has distinguished themself in research effort and ability, either from a basic science or clinical research-related project or publication. Recipients are chosen by votes from residents, fellows, and faculty. The Sanfilippos were present at the ceremony to congratulate this year’s winner, PGY-3 Grace Kwon, MD, PhD.
Congratulations to the entire graduating class, which includes the following doctors:
Residents:
- Ife Fuwape, MD
- Adam Jimenez, MD
- Jusmita Saifullan, MD
- Ashley Rose Scholl, MD, MSc
- Tyler Wildes, MD, PhD
- John Alan Willis, MD
Fellows:
- Landon Kunzelman, MD, Surgical Pathology Gastrointestinal Fellow
- Gina Sotolongo, MD, Surgical Pathology Fellow
- Kristen Logan, MD, Surgical Pathology Fellow
- Meg Lee, MD, Cytopathology Fellow
- Julia An, MD, Hematopathology Fellow
- Kasey McCollum, MD, MPH, Dermatopathology Fellow
- Eric Miller, PhD, Laboratory Genetic and Genomics Fellow
- Jeremy Ward, MD, PhD, Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellow