2025 Department of Pediatric Chair's Awards Program

12 pediatric faculty and staff were honored Jan. 20 at the annual Chair's Awards ceremony in the Ford Amphitheatre at Michigan Medicine. These awards recognize and honor faculty and staff whose compassion, creativity, and dedication not only elevate our department but redefine excellence in caring for children and families.

2025 Faculty and Staff Award Winners:

Outstanding Administrative Staff Member – Jill Cahill, Pediatric Genetics
This award recognizes an administrator, professional, or support staff member who has demonstrated outstanding performance in a non-clinical setting. This individual demonstrates achievement in creating a positive work environment, exceptional reliability and accountability, creative and collaborative problem-solving, and commitment to continuous improvement.

Jill joined the Genetics Division in 2012 after working as a Medical Assistant in the Pediatric Specialties Clinic. She is a valuable team member who keeps the division running smoothly and is the “go-to” person for all division operations. Over the years, Jill has taken on new responsibilities, including supervising staff and serving as Program Administrator for three GME training programs. She quickly mastered these roles and is known for anticipating the needs of faculty and trainees, often solving problems before they arise. Beyond her administrative work, Jill fosters a positive and supportive work environment by organizing potlucks, wellness initiatives, and team-building activities to bring us together!

Early Career Research Award – Dr. Zubin Modi, Pediatric Nephrology, CHEAR
This award recognizes an Instructor or Assistant Professor on any track with high-quality scholarship and substantive research accomplishments.

Dr. Modi is an accomplished clinician-scientist and health services researcher whose efforts have been recognized on a national level. His research focuses on epidemiology, health care delivery, Medicaid policy, and innovative data science to improve outcomes for children with chronic kidney disease. Since joining our department in 2018, Dr. Modi has led and contributed to numerous multi-center, federally funded studies and innovative projects—including launching a mobile health application for improved data collection. As Director of the Pediatric Nephrology Research Program, Dr. Modi leads a collaborative research team, actively mentors faculty and fellows, and serves on national committees and editorial boards.

 

Established Faculty Research Award – Dr. Melissa Cousino, Pediatric Psychology
This award recognizes an Associate or full Professor on any track who have produced a significant and coherent body of impactful scholarship.

Dr. Cousino has developed an internationally recognized research program focusing on psychosocial outcomes, mental health, palliative care, and decision-making for children with critical illness, cardiac disease, and solid organ transplantation. She has secured continuous NIH funding, leads landmark multi-center studies including a randomized trial for mental health resiliency interventions, and has advanced UM’s role as a major site for pediatric heart disease research. As a sought-after mentor, Dr. Cousino co-developed the widely adopted M-COPE Curriculum to improve training in pediatric mental health care. Her achievements include over 60 peer-reviewed publications, visiting professorships, major society awards, and leadership roles in prestigious organizations, such as being nominated to serve as the first psychologist Program Chair for the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation.

Clinical Teaching – Dr. Rachel Gottlieb-Smith, Pediatric Neurology
This award honors a faculty member who advances the health of children and adolescents through excellence in teaching for any type of learner. Settings can include but are not limited to teaching during clinical care, in didactic sessions, or in simulation training.

Dr. Gottlieb-Smith teaches clinical excellence by example, consistently advocating for patients and engaging learners in a supportive, inclusive environment.As Program Director for Child Neurology, she worked tirelessly to improve its national ranking, and enhanced the education based on resident feedback.
Rachel celebrates resident milestones and provides compassionate support, fostering a welcoming atmosphere where all of our trainees feel valued.She worked with clinical informatics experts to develop PLAN-R, a dashboard that tailors training and ensures gaps are addressed through individualized learning plans.Committed to outstanding leadership, Rachel has completed advanced training—including a Master’s in Health Professions Education and the Director Mentorship Leadership Program from the American Academy of Neurology.
 

Humanism in Clinical Care – Dr. Katie Miller, Adolescent Medicine
This award honors a clinical faculty member who exemplifies the humanistic spirit of patient-centered medicine, both through clinical excellence and in outstanding compassion in the delivery of care.

Dr. Miller embodies extraordinary empathy and kindness, serving as a consistent role model for compassionate clinical care since joining our department in 2017. She is recognized as the “go-to” physician for families navigating crises related to disordered eating, providing flexible, holistic, and unwavering support no matter the circumstance. Patients and families repeatedly praise her for her deep understanding, active listening, and ability to motivate and support through the most challenging of times. Her calm and nonjudgmental approach supports not only patients, but also their families, teaching resilience and patience by example and helping everyone feel “gotten” and genuinely cared for.
 

Clinical Program Development – Dr. Natalie Berriz and Dr. Melissa Andersen, Interdisciplinary Pediatric Feeding Program, Pediatric Psychology

This award celebrates the innovation and collaboration that are foundational to the success of the Department. It recognizes an individual or a group that has partnered to create, develop, and sustain a clinical program that supports the Department’s mission of providing the highest level of clinical care.

Drs. Andersen and Berriz have transformed the Interdisciplinary Pediatric Feeding Program into a comprehensive, evidence-based service supporting vulnerable infants.

The team pioneered a proactive, infant-driven feeding approach and launched an innovative Home Nasogastric Tube Follow-Up Clinic, offering intensive care from a multidisciplinary team.

Their hybrid care model ensures statewide access to expert feeding support through both in-person and telehealth visits, making a meaningful difference for medically complex babies.

With hundreds of referrals and thousands of visits annually, the program has improved clinical outcomes and reduced hospital stays.

Primary Care Partnership – Dr. Lynn Gessner, Pediatrics Primary Care
This award celebrates a primary care physician who embodies teamwork and collaboration in patient care. This individual is exceptional in supporting continuity of care and complex transitions of care, coordinates effectively within and between services and care sites, and is a highly effective communicator. 

Since 1998, Dr. Gessner has provided a stable medical home for her patients, especially those with complex health needs, championing holistic and integrated care for all. She is renowned for coordinating seamlessly with subspecialists and proactively facilitating communication to ensure smooth care transitions and minimize fragmentation.
Dr. Gessner's approach has led to improved health outcomes and enhanced satisfaction for patients and their families, who value her clarity, compassion, and commitment. Her consistent dedication over decades sets a standard for partnership and collaborative care at Michigan Medicine.

Lifetime Achievement – Dr. Steven Pipe, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
This award celebrates an individual who has had a lifelong impact on child health at the local, national, and/or international levels by way of their scholarship, advocacy, service, or clinical work.

For more than 30 years, Dr. Pipe’s dedication has transformed care for children with bleeding disorders through groundbreaking research and innovative treatments. He’s led major advancements in hemophilia, including developing enhanced factor VIII molecules, pioneering gene therapy, and driving practice-changing clinical trials—resulting in over 200 peer-reviewed publications. As Director of the Hemophilia and Coagulation Disorders Program and the Clinical Coagulation Laboratory, Dr. Pipe is the trusted, 24/7 coagulation expert for Michigan Medicine, supporting patients and colleagues around the globe.Dr. Pipe is known for his humility and compassion, serving as a role model and mentor, and earning the deep respect of families, trainees, and peers alike.

Outstanding Service to Department – Dr. Shane Quinonez, Pediatric Genetics
This award recognizes a faculty member who has had a significant impact on the missions of the Department by way of consistent engagement with committees/task forces/working groups, quality improvement projects, clinical practice guideline development, and/or other institutional activities.

Dr. Quinonez goes above and beyond for our department, dedicating himself to advancing our tripartite mission of education, clinical care, and research. As Associate Program Director for the Categorical Pediatrics Residency Program, Shane shapes training and curriculum, and supports clinical excellence through his work on the Special Review Committee in the institutional GME office.As Co-Director of the Biochemical Genetics Laboratory and Division Service Chief, Shane guides genetic counselors into independent practice and maintains high standards of patient care. His engagement extends to state and institutional initiatives, contributing expertise to committees focused on public health and quality improvement.

Outstanding Mentorship – Dr. Sara Pasquali, Pediatric Cardiology
This award recognizes an individual who has been exceptional in supporting the professional development of students, house officers, research trainees, and/or faculty.

Dr. Pasquali is recognized for her intentional and impactful mentorship, consistently helping early and mid-career faculty, fellows, and staff reach their academic and professional goals through personalized guidance and advocacy.She has developed innovative support systems, including launch teams for new faculty and a multicenter career exchange program, expanding opportunities for junior colleagues to collaborate, network, and grow as leaders.Dr. Pasquali’s mentorship goes beyond advice, as she actively creates practical opportunities and removes barriers—helping her mentees gain exposure, lead important projects, and advance their careers in meaningful ways.Her commitment to building an inclusive and supportive culture ensures that colleagues across all career stages feel valued, empowered, and motivated to realize their full potential

Philanthropy – Dr. John Charpie, Pediatric Cardiology
This award recognizes outstanding commitment to building a culture of philanthropy and supporting Development activities, e.g., through participation in donor engagement opportunities, securing strategic resources, creating inclusive giving opportunities, strategic use of donor resources, etc.

Dr. Charpie is an invaluable philanthropic partner who has spent 30+ years of his career dedicated to strengthening the Congenital Heart Center at U-M.Dr. Charpie has helped raise over $35 million in donor support, and is known for exceptional stewardship, making every donor and family feel valued and appreciated. Over the years, John has met with donor families while in the hospital, at tailgates, golf outings, and has made sure to write special notes to individuals and always makes them feel special.Through personal engagement, creative outreach, and unwavering commitment, Dr. Charpie nurtures partnerships that strengthen the CHC’s mission and inspire hope for countless families.