Daily Dose
2026
March / TTUHSC University Awards Ceremony Honors Recipients
On February 19, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) honored recipients at the University Awards, which held a significant change
in 2026 by combining the annual recognition ceremonies for the first time.
President Lori Rice-Spearman, Ph.D., hosted the University Awards alongside the Office of People and Values. These awards recognize individual and collaborative efforts of TTUHSC team members
who exemplify the university’s mission, vision and values.
The faculty and team members at TTUHSC have worked together to positively impact the
future of health for decades, driving progress and redefining excellence in education,
research, service and patient care. The creation of a new, combined recognition program
reflects the university’s commitment to strengthening the health care workforce and
celebrates those who embody the very best of TTUHSC.
The following recipients were recognized for their outstanding contributions to TTUHSC.
University Award Recipients:
Exemplary Impact Award for Learners
Conrado Jimenez
Exemplary Impact Award for Staff
Araceli (Kelly) Alvarez
Linda Armenta
Julie Barclay
Whitney Green
Amanda McSween
Ashley Rhea
Values-Based Leader Award for Staff/Faculty
Marcie Aultman
Michael Rayel, M.D., EMBA
Julie Wright, MSN, RN
President’s Award of Excellence
Katie Joplin
Values Champion Award
Alexandra Galle
Muhammad Haris Nazim, M.D., FACS, FICS
Sarah Stringer, DMSc, PA-C, CAQ-Psych
University Distinguished Staff Award
Penny Harkey
Coleman Johnson, J.D.
University Team Awards
InfantRisk Center of Excellence: Sally Bain, BSN; Teresa Baker, M.D., FACOG; Katie Boatler, RN, BSN; Levi Campbell,
Ph.D.; Nichole Campbell, MSN, APRN, NP-C; Jonathan Craddock, Palika Datta, Ph.D.;
Laxim Donikini, M.S.; Liz Gutierrez, Shyanne Hefley, Ph.D.; Kaytlin Krutsch, Ph.D.,
Pharm.D., MBA; Sandra Lovato, Alicia Nelson, RN, BSN, IBCLC; Beatriz Richardson, Krista
Savage, BSN, RNC-MNN, IBCLC
Permian Basin School of Medicine Executive Team: Paul Donahoo, MBA, FACHE; Sandra Fuglaar, John Paul-Garcia, Ph.D.; Matthew Geiman,
O.D.; Gladys Olivas, Mariana Salcido, Brian Schroeder, M.D., MBA, FACP; Kory Smith,
George Thomas, MBA, MM, DHA; Jessica Zuniga
Advancing Leadership Recognition through Micro-Credentials: Tanya Fraley, Schoen Kruse, Ph.D., MSHPEd; Adam McKee, Tom Price, Derrick Ramsey,
Ph.D.
University Faculty Awards Recipients:
President’s Excellence in Interprofessional Collaboration Award
Sara Brouse, Pharm.D., FCCP, FACC
Magdalena Karbowniczek, M.D., Ph.D.
Maciej Markiewski, M.D., Ph.D.
Pearl Merritt, Ed.D., M.S., MSN
Julie St. John, DrPH, MPH
Sanjay K. Srivastava, Ph.D., FAAAS
President’s Excellence in Interprofessional Collaboration Award
Jannette M. Dufour, Ph.D.
President’s Excellence in Research Award
Lan Guan, M.D., Ph.D.
President’s Outstanding Clinician Award
Tyler Mouw, M.D., M.Sc.
President’s Excellence in Community Engagement Award
Fiona R. Prabhu, M.D., FAAFP
President’s Team Teaching Award
Levi Campbell, Pharm.D.
Craig Cox, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS
Brian Irons, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCACP
Mary S. Klein, Pharm.D., BCACP, CHSE
Debra Notturno-Strong, DHS, M.S., MSA
President’s Early Career Investigator Award
Mahmoud Salama Ahmed, B.Pharm., Ph.D.
University Distinguished Faculty Award
Katie Bennett, Ph.D., MB(ASCP)CM
Ina Urbatsch, Ph.D.