MPPDA Awards Recipients

2022 MPPDA Brendan P. Kelly, MD, Award 

The Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine (AAIM) recognizes Himani Divatia, DO, FAAP, FACP, as the 2022 MPPDA Brendan P. Kelly, MD, Award recipient.

On faculty since 2015, Dr. Divatia is Associate Program Director in the Department of Medicine and Pediatrics at ChristianaCare. Dr. Divatia earned her MD from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her med-peds residency training at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University/ChristianaCare.

Dr. Divatia has been a member of MPPDA since 2015. She currently serves on the MPPDA Curriculum Committee. She has presented at plenary sessions as Alliance conferences. Dr. Divatia is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians since 2011 where she serves on committees and projects. Her nominator notes that “Dr. Divatia thoroughly embodies the teaching excellence, collaborative leadership and compassionate patient care that are synonymous with the Brendan Kelly award.”

“This award is an incredible honor as it symbolizes the mentors in Med-Peds who have impacted my career trajectory and leadership development as well as identity formation as a Med-Peds physician. Furthermore, it symbolizes all those to come in the pursuit of this training and field, and the value of clinical excellence, coaching and mentorship, and humanistic patient care across the age and disease spectrum. I am humbled to receive this in memory of Dr. Brendan Kelly, an individual who inspired me as a student, and touched many lives in Med-Peds and academic medicine.”

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Himani Divatia, DO, FAAP, FACP

2022 MPPDA Leadership in Med-Peds Award 

The Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine (AAIM) recognizes Caroline Mueller, MD, MEd, as the 2022 MPPDA Leadership in Med-Peds Award recipient. 

Dr. Mueller is Professor of Medicine at Mountain Area Health Education Center. Prior to her current position, she was Professor of Medicine at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Mueller earned her MD from and completed her med-peds residency training at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

A member of MPPDA since 1994, Dr. Mueller served as MPPDA Secretary-Treasurer and on numerous MPPDA and APDIM committees. Her nominators note that she is a “master clinician who is revered by her patients and their families.” They further note, “Dr. Mueller has become a legend in her role stewarding the educational efforts of the Med-Peds Residency Program here in Cincinnati.”

“It is a truly great honor that such a distinguished group of leaders and wonderful human beings whom I admire so much would deem me worthy, although I am also reasonably certain there are many, many others who are more deserving! I would like to express my deep gratitude to this incredibly gifted group of leaders and mentors."

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Caroline Mueller, MD, MEd

2022 MPPDA Program Administrator Service Award 

The Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine (AAIM) recognizes Mary Sarah Thanas, as the 2022 MPPDA Program Administrator Service Award recipient.

Since 2002, Ms. Thanas serves as Program Coordinator at Yale University. A member of MPPDA and APDIM since 1994, Ms. Thanas served on numerous APDIM committees.  She has presented plenary and workshop sessions at Alliance conferences. Described as “kind, friendly, and approachable” with a “warm, generous spirit,” Ms. Thanas nominator notes, “Mary Sarah possesses a wellspring of love, an unflappable kindness, that is our balm of hope amidst a weary day. She gives more than her expertise, her organizational skills, and her talents. She gives her heart.”

“Receiving this award is definitely an honor. Being the PC for the Yale Med/Peds Program and to Dr. Doolittle for 20 years has been an absolute pleasure. Being a part of Yale's MP residents and faculty has provided so many friendships. In addition to my Yale family, this AMPPA has provided a network of professional and personal relations that have been both meaningful and enjoyable. From sitting on a couch in Disney talking to Betty about the idea of a PC group in MP to winning a national award from that organization is amazing.” 

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Mary Sarah Thanas

2022 MPPDA Walter W. Tunnessen, Jr., MD, Award

The Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine (AAIM) recognizes Nora Abo-Sido, MD, as the 2022 MPPDA Walter W. Tunnessen, Jr., MD, Award recipient.

Dr. Abo-Sido earned her MD from Harvard Medical School and is currently completing her med-peds residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, American College of Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, and New England Sickle Cell Consortium.

Dr. Abo-Sido is a recipient of the Harvard Medical School Presidential Scholars Public Service Initiative Award and was awarded an Academic Consortium on Criminal Justice Health Scholarship. She is described by her nominator as the “epitome of the excellent med-peds physician that the 21^st century requires: a human being of exceptional medical knowledge and clinical skill, committed to addressing inequity and making our profession more just and anti-racist, and passionate about educating her colleagues in the just and compassionate care of both children and adults.”

“Receiving this award, I am filled with deep gratitude for the communities that taught and grew me to serve and work with love. I am also thankful to the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine for the honor of such a meaningful award, celebrating Dr. Tunnessen's compassion, communication, and advocacy across the lifespan.”

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Nora Abo-Sido, MD