April Accolades: Awards, honors and appointments
Yantasee, Heiser inducted into American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering’s College of Fellows
Wassana Yantasee, Ph.D., M.B.A., professor of biomedical engineering, and Laura Heiser, Ph.D., associate professor and vice chair of biomedical engineering, both in the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, were inducted March 31 into the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering’s College of Fellows. Election to the AIMBE College of Fellows is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to medical and biological engineers, comprising the top 2% of engineers in these fields.
College membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to “engineering and medicine research, practice, or education” and to “the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of medical and biological engineering or developing/implementing innovative approaches to bioengineering education.”
Yantasee was recognized for groundbreaking work in nanomedicine and cancer research, and her commitment to commercialization and education. Heiser, who also is associate director of complex systems modeling for the Knight Cancer Institute’s Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research, or CEDAR, was elected for pioneering contributions in cancer systems biology and biomedical engineering.
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Laura Suarez to serve on Steering and Oversight Committee for the Homeless Response System
Laura Suarez, LCSW, LICSW, CADCII, a social work manager at OHSU, was appointed to the Steering and Oversight Committee for the Homeless Response System by the Multnomah County Board of County Commissioners and the Portland City Council to share her behavioral health expertise as a nonvoting member. The Steering and Oversight Committee brings together elected officials, leaders, experts and community members to guide and resource the actions outlined in the Homelessness Response Action Plan. By design, the Steering and Oversight Committee helps guide and make recommendations to the respective jurisdictions to resource the plan’s actions so that it is responsive to changes in the landscape of policies and budgets.
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OHA awards Family Medicine at Richmond clinic Tier 5 status
The OHSU Family Medicine at Richmond clinic in Portland has achieved Tier 5 status with the Oregon Health Authority’s Patient-Centered Primary Care Home program. Tier 5 is the highest level a primary clinic can attain and recognizes excellence in a primary care facility through comprehensive, coordinated, equitable, quality health care that also integrates behavioral health.
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Brandon Wilder attends United to Beat Malaria Leadership Summit
Brandon Wilder, Ph.D., of the Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, recently participated in the United to Beat Malaria leadership summit in Washington, D.C. This event raisesawareness about the significance of malaria and the necessity of global health funding.
The summit featured training workshops attended by constituents from 45 states and representatives from esteemed organizations such as the Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization, the President’s Malaria Initiative and the Global Fund. The trip concluded with a dedicated day of meetings on Capitol Hill. Wilder engaged in several discussions with congressional staff from New York and Oregon, supporting New York colleagues and leading the interactions with Oregon representatives.
These meetings included visits to the offices of Oregon Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, as well as Congress members Suzanne Bonamici and Maxine Dexter. Wilder and his team effectively articulated the value of global health funding. They also equipped congressional offices with the necessary context to advocate for the continuation of these vital programs.
Additionally, Wilder emphasized the groundbreaking malaria drug discovery efforts led by Mike Riscoe, Ph.D., and Jane Kelly, Ph.D., alongside his work on vaccine development. He highlighted the potential of these innovations to revolutionize malaria treatment and the importance of ensuring that existing programs provide a pathway for these advancements to reach those in need.
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Rhonda Morin earns William W. Marsh Lifetime Achievement Award in Public Relations
Rhonda Morin, APR, was honored by the Public Relations Society of America’s Oregon chapter with the William W. Marsh Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to public relations for more than 25 years. Known as "the dean of public relations in Oregon," William W. Marsh inspired this annual award, presented by PRSA Oregon to a member who has significantly advanced the field.
Morin, a former president of the PRSA Oregon Chapter was selected for her dedication to education, mentoring colleagues and future professionals, and embodying the values of the award.
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John A. Kaufman earns 2025 Society of Interventional Radiology Leaders in Innovation Award
John A. Kaufman, M.D., M.S., FSIR, is the recipient of the 2025 Leaders in Innovation Award for his decade-long efforts in transforming the Interventional Radiology fellowship into an IR residency. The innovative work not only navigated resistance from stakeholders and secured acceptance by peer specialties and the American Board of Medical Specialties but also established IR as a primary specialty providing unique patient care. Kaufman played a pivotal role in crafting the IR residency curriculum, ensuring its immediate success as one of the most competitive specialties for medical students. This achievement has profoundly impacted IR’s past, present and future, solidifying its position as a desirable and essential specialty.
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Manideep Chavali is named First Tech credit union distinguished scholar
Manideep Chavali, Ph.D., assistant professor of pediatrics, OHSU School of Medicine, was named the inaugural holder of the First Tech Federal Credit Union Distinguished Scholar in Pediatrics Innovation.
This appointment recognizes Chavali’s accomplishments in pediatric neuroscience and brain development research, and his continued contributions to the OHSU community. First Tech Federal Credit Union has been a generous partner and Doernbecher supporter since 1989. raising more than $7 million to support Doernbecher initiatives. First Tech Federal Credit Union established the Innovation Endowment to drive innovation in children’s health care, and Chavel was recognized as one of the brightest minds in his field, embodying the spirit of the endowment. He was officially appointed to this eposition in 2023, but the investiture celebration to officially honor his appointment took place April 2, 2025.
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Recognize team or individual achievements with OHSU Accolades
Every day, OHSU members do amazing things. We want to celebrate the significant achievements of OHSU members, units and programs, such as awards, grants, appointments, publications and public recognitions. We publish these announcements regularly on OHSU Now and OHSU News: Awards and Accomplishments to celebrate with all 27,000 of our members and our community. Nominate yourself, a colleague or any OHSU member using this Accolades intake form. Submissions will be edited for length and clarity.