Drs. Megan Haymart and Maria Papaleontiou Receive Prestigious American Thyroid Association Awards

Megan Haymart, MD and Maria Papaleontiou, MD, of the Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes (MEND) have received 2026 American Thyroid Association® (ATA) Awards for their exceptional contributions to thyroid research, clinical care, and leadership. 

Dr. Haymart received the Valeria Anne Galton Distinguished Lectureship Award, which recognizes individuals who have been instrumental in collaborative research that has significantly contributed to the advancement of clinical knowledge of thyroid conditions. Dr. Haymart is a Nancy Wiggington Endocrinology Research Professor of Thyroid Cancer and Director of Thyroid Cancer Research here at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on optimizing thyroid care delivery, primarily studying thyroid cancer care across the disease continuum, from diagnosis to survivorship. She has a sustained history of NIH-funded research with over $8 million in funding as principal investigator, demonstrating her commitment to rigorous, collaborative science. 

Dr. Maria Papaleontiou received the Women in Thyroidology Woman of the Year Award, which recognizes an ATA member who is dedicated to the field and advancement of women in thyroidology. Dr. Papaleontiou is a tenure associate professor in the MEND Division and research associate professor at the Institute of Gerontology here at the University of Michigan. Her clinical practice focuses on thyroid diseases, thyroid cancer, and geriatric endocrinology. In her research, she evaluates the risks of thyroid hormone overtreatment and misuse in older adults, understanding the role of providers and patients in thyroid hormone use and misuse and how it relates to patient outcomes and decision-making.

Congratulations, Drs. Haymart and Papaleontiou! They will be formally honored during the ATA’s 2026 Annual Meeting November 3-7, 2026, in Philadelphia. 

Read the full announcement

In This Story

Megan Haymart

Megan R Haymart, MD

Professor

Maria Papaleontiou

Maria Papaleontiou, MD

Associate Professor

Featured News & Stories

Health Lab Podcast in brackets with a background with a dark blue translucent layers over cells
Health Lab Podcast

New Findings on a Decade of Medicaid Expansion in Michigan

A new U-M report shows that individuals, hospitals and primary care clinics all experienced positive impacts in the first decade of Michigan's Medicaid expansion, but the report also raises concerns about the cost-sharing provisions that all states must soon enact.
Maize and blue 3D model of conjoined twins
Department News

3D-Printed Models - Conjoined Twins

Overview of 3D models for surgical planning
Emily Wittrup
Department News

Improving care for patients with brain injuries

Emily Wittrup defended her dissertation this May, marking a successful end to her PhD journey.
News Release

Ljungman receives $500K from the Little Warrior Foundation for Ewing sarcoma gene-editing therapy

Mats Ljungman, Ph.D., professor of radiation oncology and environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan, received a $528,728 award from the Little Warrior Foundation to further research using a gene editing system to target a gene fusion involved in Ewing sarcoma.
3 Wishes CCMU Team Jakob McSparron, MD; Sara Didoszak MSN, RN; Diana Brown MSW; Maddie Lagina, MD, MPH; Abi Beutler RN
Department News

Critical Care Program Fulfills Patients’ Final Wishes, Bringing Comfort to Last Moments

Launched by our CCMU team in February 2025, the 3 Wishes Program helps patient-facing clinicians and staff honor and support patients nearing the end of life in the medical ICU. Since its inception, it has fulfilled more than 70 meaningful wishes, bringing comfort and lasting memories to patients and their families.
reading
Department News

What I'm Reading in APS Research: June 2026

What I’m Reading, written by Dr. Ajay Tambralli, was created to provide information on the latest APS-relevant research and to help everyone better understand the ins and outs of these publications. In this month’s edition, Dr. Tambralli discusses molecular mimicry and APS.