WCM-Q recognizes outstanding medical faculty

To recognize the outstanding contributions of teaching faculty to the education of medical students over the past academic year, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) hosted its annual Excellence in Teaching Awards 2025.

This year’s awards ceremony saw 12 awards presented in eight categories for contributions to medical education, plus 24 winners in four categories of the 2025 Convocation Awards, which similarly recognize excellence in teaching and commitment to the academic performance and personal development of students. 

In the Medical Education section, the Excellence in Teaching in the Foundational Sciences Curriculum Award was presented to Dr. Mange Manyama, while the Excellence in Teaching in the Clinical Curriculum Award went to Dr. Ali Hallal. This year’s awards for visiting faculty were won by Dr. Diala Steitieh in the Foundational Sciences Curriculum category and Dr. Joseph Safdieh in the Clinical Curriculum category.

Additionally, the Excellence in Mentoring in the Area of Concentration Award was won by Dr. Naim Haddad, while the Excellence in Educational Impact and Innovation Award was presented to Dr. Ali Hallal. The Excellence Award for Scholarly Contribution in the Division of Medical Education was awarded to Dr. Lotfi Chouchane, while the Excellence Award for Service in the Division of Medical Education went to Dr. Ali Sultan, Dr. Christopher Triggle, and Dr. Ziyad Mahfoud. The scholarly contribution and service awards were introduced this year.

Dr. Thurayya Arayssi, vice dean for academic and curricular affairs, said: “I would like to congratulate our medical faculty on their outstanding contributions over the past academic year. This celebration is a well-deserved recognition of their dedication to our students and our institution as a whole.”

In the Convocation Awards section, the Senior List of WCM-Q awardees were Dr. Ali Hallal, Dr. Amal Khidir, Dr. Khalid Zamel, Dr. Mahrukh Rizvi, Dr. Moune Jabre, Dr. Naim Haddad, Dr. Salman Al Jerdi, Dr. Sumeja Zahirovic, and Dr. Tariq Chukir.

The Senior List of Visiting Faculty award winners were Dr. Joseph Safdieh, Dr. Joseph Shin, and Dr. Thangamani Muthukumar. The Humanism in Medicine Award went to Dr. Khaled Zamel, and the House Staff Teaching Award went to Dr. Ameen Abdo (psychiatry), Dr. Sadi Alnakhala (internal medicine), Dr. Mazin Alsheikhly (general surgery), Dr. Maryam AlSulati (orthopedic surgery PGY-4), Dr. Sherif Ashraf (internal medicine), Dr. Tarek Bkoor Bkoor (internal medicine), Dr. Omer Dulaimy (psychiatry), Dr. Ahmad Elater (psychiatry), Dr. Isra Eltazi (neurology), Dr. Banan Khalid (psychiatry), and Dr. Murad Sami (trauma surgery).

Six of this year’s winners were WCM-Q alumni: Dr. Diala Steitieh, Dr. Mahrukh Rizvi, Dr. Salman Al Jerdi, Dr. Sumeja Zahirovic, Dr. Tariq Chukir, and Dr. Sherif Ashraf.

Dr. Javaid Sheikh, dean of WCM-Q, said: “It is an honor to once again recognize the contributions and commitment of our distinguished medical faculty. I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to all faculty members for continuing to advance our shared vision of excellence as an institution.”

Winners of the Excellence in Teaching Awards 2025

Medical Education Awards

Excellence in Teaching in the Foundational Sciences Curriculum: Dr. Mange Manyama

Excellence in Teaching in the Clinical Curriculum: Dr. Ali Hallal

Visiting Faculty Excellence in Teaching – Foundational Sciences Curriculum: Dr. Diala Steitieh

Visiting Faculty Excellence in Teaching – Clinical Curriculum: Dr. Joseph Safdieh

Excellence in Mentoring in the Area of Concentration: Dr. Naim Haddad

Excellence in Educational Impact and Innovation: Dr. Ali Hallal

Excellence Award for Scholarly Contribution in Division of Medical Education: Dr. Lotfi Chouchane Excellence Award for Service in Division of Medical Education: Dr. Ali Sultan, Dr. Christopher Triggle, and Dr. Ziyad Mahfoud

Convocation Awards 2025

The Senior List (WCM-Q Faculty): Dr. Ali Hallal, Dr. Amal Khidir, Dr. Khalid Zamel, Dr. Mahrukh Rizvi, Dr. Moune Jabre, Dr. Naim Haddad, Dr. Salman Al Jerdi, Dr. Sumeja Zahirovic, and Dr. Tariq Chukir

The Senior List (WCM-NY Visiting Faculty): Dr. Joseph Safdieh, Dr. Joseph Shin, and Dr. Thangamani Muthukumar

Humanism in Medicine Award: Dr. Khaled Zamel

House Staff Teaching Award: Dr. Ameen Abdo (psychiatry), Dr. Sadi Alnakhala (internal medicine), Dr. Mazin Alsheikhly (general surgery), Dr. Maryam AlSulati (orthopedic surgery PGY-4), Dr. Sherif Ashraf (internal medicine), Dr. Tarek Bkoor Bkoor (internal medicine), Dr. Omer Dulaimy (psychiatry), Dr. Ahmad Elater (psychiatry), Dr. Isra Eltazi (neurology), Dr. Banan Khalid (psychiatry), and Dr. Murad Sami (trauma surgery)