Philadelphia – September 30, 2009 – Einstein Medical Center recently held its Annual Resident Recognition Event, an institutional graduation ceremony for physicians in training.

Einstein Medical Center (AEMC) is the largest independent academic medical center in the Philadelphia region and the centerpiece of Einstein Healthcare Network.

This year, 146 graduating residents and fellows were recognized for their completion of training in one of 24 AEMC-sponsored graduate medical education programs. Eighty-two graduates will continue their graduate medical training in another specialty residency or fellowship program, 16 of them at Einstein. Nine other graduates will remain at Einstein to fill administrative Chief Resident roles within various training programs, and four graduates will become part of Einstein’s attending physician staff. The remainder will begin private practice or become attending staff at various hospitals and medical centers throughout the country.

Several residents were honored with prestigious institutional awards for the 2008-2009 academic year:

The Louis B. Schatz Memorial Award, which is presented to an outstanding member of the house staff based upon professional ability, research and/or publications and personal conduct, was co-presented to Joshua Pahys, MD, PGY-5 Orthopedic Resident and Shweta Gupta, MD, PGY-3 Internal Medicine Resident.

The William and Margaret Menin Award is presented to the member of the house staff who best exemplifies not only the intellectual and technical skills required of a physician but also the humanistic sensitivity. This year Maria Giraldo, MD, a PGY-4 Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident, earned that award.

The Frank Hammond Sivitz Award, which recognizes the member of the house staff who best promotes camaraderie and a sense of well being among peers and other co-workers, was given to Matthew DiVietro, DO, PGY-3 Internal Medicine Resident.

The Outstanding Educator of the Year Award, presented by the Chief Resident Committee to a member of the Einstein faculty for teaching excellence, was presented to Sumeet Mainigi, MD, Cardiology.

The House Staff President Recognition Awards, which recognize the year of service given by the 2008-2009 AEMC Co-House Staff Presidents, were given to Tina Pravin Shah, MD, Internal Medicine Chief Resident, and Shawn Radford, MD, Emergency Medicine Resident.

Earlier this summer, 152 new residents and fellows were welcomed to Einstein Medical Center at the annual institutional orientation event. Orientation activities were held on campus in the Education Center, and new house staff members had the opportunity to hear from many of our academic and administrative leaders. This year, the 136 residents and 16 fellows entering an Einstein graduate medical training program represent 21 countries and 79 medical schools.

Einstein is the largest independent academic medical center in the Philadelphia region – the largest teaching hospital not owned or governed by a university, offering over 600 month-long training rotations for the region’s medical students. Einstein’s residency and fellowship training programs lead the way in preparing the next generation of doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals to practice cutting edge medicine in emergency rooms, operating rooms, intensive care units, hospital wards, clinics, and private practices nationwide. Einstein graduates have a long history of becoming trusted leaders, researchers, innovators and respected teachers within their chosen fields.