Honoring Excellence: Truly Award Finalists and Recipient
Celebrating Scholars who embody compassion, leadership, and innovation in healthcare.
The Truly Awards celebrate the physicians and nurses of Northwell Health for their compassion, innovation, ambition, leadership and inclusivity. This is a special time to show our appreciation and recognize all our 1,164 physician and 1,536 nurse nominees for the positive impact they have on our patients, team members, and communities.
Congratulations Dr. Shah on this incredible and well-deserved achievement of the Physician Truly Rising Star Award!
“Dr. Shah combines the heart of a caring physician with the mind of an innovator. He never stops looking for better ways to care for patients and support his colleagues. Voting for him is voting for the future of compassionate, patient-centered care.”
This nomination was submitted by Lorraine Sautner, Director Grants & Principal Gifts Engagement.
Akash Shah, MD is recognized for his innovative contributions across research, technology, and medical education.
His 2025 Spark Tank nomination, MediMate, proposed an AI‑driven patient scribe that converts clinician–patient conversations into clear, multilingual summaries and personalized checklists—aimed at reducing miscommunication, improving adherence, and transforming how patients engage with their health information.
He also earned a Spark Tank Honorable Mention with Beth A. West, EdD, and Robyn Scatena, MD, for an AI/NLP tool that provides real‑time learner–patient interaction feedback to strengthen UME/GME education.
As a 2023–2024 Clinical Research Track Scholar, Dr. Shah completed a scoping review on the impact of EMR‑based clinical decision support tools on obesity management and referral patterns, contributing meaningful insights to evidence‑based chronic disease care.
During his time with the Academy as a 2024–2025 Clinician Educator Cohort Scholar, he designed and launched Nuvance Health’s first Clinical Informatics Rotation, giving residents hands-on experience in EMR strategy, workflow optimization, telehealth, AI tools, and health‑IT operations. Resident projects have already led to new order sets, documentation improvements, safety enhancements, and emerging informatics research.
Together, these accomplishments reflect Dr. Shah’s commitment to using informatics, innovation, and education to advance patient care and clinician development.
“Dr. Leslie Andriani embodies excellence, compassion, and leadership. In just two years, she’s transformed education, advanced quality care, and inspired colleagues through her dedication to patients and residents alike. Her vision, teamwork, and relentless pursuit of improvement make her a true rising star our department is proud to celebrate.”
This nomination was submitted by Linus Chuang, Network Chairman OB/GYN.
“In her genuine and unassuming way, Dr Ash guides all members of the hospital healthcare team toward optimal patient care, emphasizing teaching and quality/safety. She works tirelessly to achieve patient-centered clinical goals as she mentors our physician trainees and other members of the hospital healthcare team.”
This nomination was submitted by Nancy Rennert, Chief Endocrinologist NH.
Anthony D’Ambrosio, MD
Clinical Physician, Family Medicine, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, 2023-2024 Clinician Educator Cohort
“VOTE for Dr Anthony D’Ambrosio because we MUST promote more providers like him that tirelessly strive to bring out the best in everyone no matter what their position is. He does that through example, encouragement, dedicated work ethic, honesty and always doing what is best and right for the patient!”
This nomination was submitted by Joseph DelRosso, Manager Medical Practice.
“I believe Dr. Clark is always so warm and welcoming and always so considerate to her patients and coworkers. She always comes in with a smile and will always be willing to help no matter what the situation.”
This nomination was submitted by Devin Brosnan, Medical Assistant/Secretary.
“Dr. Seshadri is they type of provider you would want your family members to see if surgery was needed. He is thorough, patient, empathetic and compassionate. He provides all the information a patient needs to feel comfortable and know they are in good hands.”
This nomination was submitted by Lisa Bambino, Medical Assistant/Secretary
“How do you measure a physician? By knowing you would want them to treat you or your family. Dr. Mendez is an amalgam of how leadership, innovation, and medicine intersect in healthcare. He is always looking to support his colleagues, schedule patients, and coordinate care with his medical colleagues.”
This nomination was submitted by Natalie Mora, Medical Director Metabolic & Medical Weight Management Prog.
Hida Nierenburg, MD
Clinical Physician, Neurology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, 2024-2025 Clinician Educator Cohort
“I think everyone should vote for Dr. Nierenburg because she truly brings out the best in people. She is the kind of leader who listens, supports, and inspires everyone around her. When you work with her, you feel part of something bigger, and that is what makes her so special.”
This nomination was submitted by Paul Wright, System Chair Nuvance Health Neuroscience Institute.
Hector Ojeda-Martinez, MD
Clinical Physician, Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, 2024-2025 Clinician Educator Cohort
“Dr Ojeda-Martinez exemplifies every quality desired in a physician: Compassionate and empathetic towards his patients and their families. Motivated and driven to seek out and implement new treatments. Kind, supportive, and encouraging to his colleagues. Engaged and knowledgeable at every level of the infectious disease and medical communities.”
This nomination was submitted by Ariel Saulnier, Medical Technologist.
Nurse Nominations:
Cynthia Palmer, DNP, MSN, CNL, RN-BC, C-OB, C-EFM
Professional Development Specialist RN, Nursing Education Women & Children Nurse Educator, Danbury Hospital, 2023-2024 Clinician Educator Cohort
“Nurses are the heart of healthcare, and no one has a bigger heart than Cindy Palmer who has brought hundreds of little patients into our world with her extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of labor and delivery while collaborating with colleagues and sharing education for the best outcomes”
This nomination was submitted by Olwen Kelleher-Gurry, Clinical Staff Development Specialist, Inaugural Scholar 2021
Emergency Department Nurse, Danbury Hospital, 2022-2023 Clinician Educator Cohort
As an educator, clinician, and active member of the Teaching Academy, Danielle embodies the curiosity, compassion, and scholarly drive that advance excellence in nursing practice. Her work reflects the values of continual learning and collaboration that strengthen our nursing community and enhance care for patients across Nuvance/Northwell Health.
Nomination details not available at this time.
HR Nominee:
Michelle Watson
Internal Mobility Manager, Talent Strategy, The Summit, 2025-2026 Clinician Educator
Michelle brings a thoughtful, people‑centered approach to her work as an HR leader and active member of the Teaching Academy. Her dedication to supporting career pathways and advancing talent development reflects the curiosity, collaboration, and forward‑thinking mindset at the heart of the Clinician Educator experience. We are grateful to have Michelle in this year’s cohort, expanding the Academy’s reach into internal mobility and talent strategy to support a stronger, more adaptable workforce.”
