Every physician’s journey is shaped by mentors who take the time to teach, guide, and inspire. Each year, the Yale Department of Internal Medicine celebrates this commitment by honoring an intern, resident, and fellow with the Dr. Peggy Bia Award for Outstanding Clinical Teaching. The award recognizes exceptional contributions to medical student education in the internal medicine clerkship rotation. The awardees are nominated by students they have worked with over the past year, reflecting the profound impact they have had on the students' medical training.

This year’s awards were presented at Medical Grand Rounds on December 19, 2024, by Angela Kang-Giaimo, MD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine (general medicine) and director of the internal medicine clerkship, and Karthik Chetlapalli, a member of the Yale School of Medicine Class of 2026. The awardees are:

• PGY-1 winner: Dorian Kaminski, MD (hospital resident)

• PGY-2/3 winner: Sathvik Namburar, MD (hospital resident)

• Fellow winner: Israel Safiriyu, MBChB (clinical fellow, cardiovascular medicine)

As the winners received their awards, Chetlapalli, who finished his clerkship rotations in December 2024, shared brief reflections from his classmates about their experiences with each physician.

Kaminski was commended for his kindness, curiosity, and commitment to patient care. “He cares a lot about his patients and provides a great example of how sensitive and informative conversations with patients and families can be conducted,” said Chetlapalli. Chetlapalli also shared that students appreciated Kaminski’s passion for learning and mentorship. “He was always curious…and enthusiastically answered questions to help us achieve our goals,” Chetlapalli said.

Namburar was recognized for his ability to foster a warm and supportive learning environment. “From the outset, his easygoing demeanor and openness to questions and discussion created a welcoming atmosphere, allowing us to seek guidance and clarification with ease overall,” said Chetlapalli. “Dr. Namburar created a learning environment that helped us feel safe and supported, allowing us to learn and grow.”

Safiriyu was recognized for his talent for clearly communicating complex cardiology topics in a way that students could easily understand. “Whether explaining advanced imaging, hemodynamics, or arrhythmia management, Dr. Safiriyu’s passion for teaching and dedication to help all those grow consistently created outstanding learning experiences,” said Chetlapalli.

In his presentation, Chetlapalli commented on the inception and significance of the award, stating that Bia was a tireless advocate of medical education at Yale and an astounding teacher who served as director of clinical skills for 15 years. “In doing so, she cultivated caring and a love of doctoring in a generation of medical graduates from Yale,” he said, adding that the award, named in Bia’s honor, is granted annually to those who embody the spirit of pedagogy central to the mission of the Department of Internal Medicine at Yale.

To learn more about the Department of Internal Medicine’s Clerkship program, visit Medical Approach to the Patient (MAP) - Internal Medicine Component Clerkship.

The Department of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine is among the nation's premier departments, bringing together an elite cadre of clinicians, investigators, educators, and staff in one of the world's top medical schools. To learn more, visit Internal Medicine.