On May 7, University of Florida (UF) College of Medicine faculty gathered together to honor their colleagues with some annual awards. The Department of Anesthesiology was well-represented with a faculty council lifetime achievement award, a college-level clinical excellence award, and three departmental clinical awards.
Lifetime Achievement
Laurie Davies, M.D., professor of anesthesiology and medical director for UF Health Shands operating rooms, was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award as well as a pin for 40 years of service to the college.
Davies earned both her B.S. (1978) and M.D. (1981) from UF, graduating with honors for scholarship and research. She also completed her anesthesiology residency (1984) and a fellowship (1985) here. She has held faculty appointments at UF since 1985, recently being promoted to full professor in 2024. She holds multiple specialty certifications, including in cardiac anesthesiology, pediatric anesthesiology, perioperative transesophageal echocardiography, and most recently, clinical informatics, a testament to her commitment to staying at the forefront of medicine.
As medical director of the operating rooms at UF Health Shands since 2011, she has championed numerous patient safety initiatives, including implementing a blood product administration module, electronic anesthesia record keeping, and medication safety systems. Davies has also received numerous awards for teaching and mentorship, including the Haven M. Perkins Lifetime Teaching Award, the T.W. Anderson Teacher of the Year Award, and multiple College of Medicine Exemplary Teacher Awards. She has mentored countless residents, fellows, and medical students throughout her career.
Davies’ legacy exemplifies a lifelong dedication to her patients, her trainees, and the advancement of anesthesiology as a specialty.
Learn more about Dr. Davies in our Q&A with her in 2024.
Clinical Excellence at a College Level
Olga “Kiki” Nin, M.D., associate professor of anesthesiology, associate chair for clinical services, and medical director for UF Health’s Florida Surgical Center and The Oaks, was also recognized at the Spring Faculty Assembly. Nin was honored with a college-level Clinical Excellence Award.
The Clinical Excellence Awards are awarded to faculty members who epitomize excellence in patient care, are leaders in the advancement of clinical innovations, and who have had a deep impact on patients, staff, peers and trainees. Nin was one of four faculty members chosen from the entire college who received this award.
Learn more about Dr. Nin in our Q&A with her in 2024.
Clinical Excellence and Rising Stars in the Department
Nin was also awarded the departmental Clinical Excellence Award which put her in the running for the college-level award. In addition, the Department of Anesthesiology also recognized two faculty members as rising stars. Michael Arnold, D.O., and Tim Feldheim, M.D., both received the Rising Star Award.
The Rising Star Award honors exceptional early-career clinical faculty whose actions and activities have consistently exemplified clinical excellence beyond the expected level. Arnold and Feldheim are both assistant professors of anesthesiology. Arnold often acts as our “anesthesiologist of the day”, handling scheduling of our anesthesia services for the day as well as assisting with overall clinical coverage scheduling. Feldheim has taken an active role in our educational endeavors and was named Assistant Program Director for Resident Wellbeing in 2024.
Congratulations to all of our amazing faculty award winners!