Duke Psychiatry Honors Trainees & Faculty with 2026 Awards

By Susan Gallagher

Congratulations to the following Duke Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences trainees and faculty members on receiving these year-end awards.

Graduate Awards

Psychiatry Residency

Outstanding Resident Educator Award

Barra Madden, MD
Honors a graduating resident who has demonstrated a passion and talent for teaching and who has made a significant contribution to the learning of others.

Outstanding Resident Clinician Award

Noorin Damji, MD
Honors a graduating resident who has demonstrated clinical excellence and who best exemplifies professional and compassionate clinical care of patients, serving as a model for peers and learners.

Outstanding Resident Researcher Award

Diana Waters, MD
Honors a graduating resident who has demonstrated excellence in research carried out during training and embodies the qualities of an outstanding physician-scientist.

Duke Psychiatry Residency Impact Award

Molly Fessler, MD
Honors a resident who embodies the Duke psychiatry residency spirit and makes a strong impact on our residency community.

Clinical Psychology Doctoral Internship 

Karen C. Wells, PhD Professionalism Award

Caitlin Bullard, MA
Recognition by fellow psychology internship class for outstanding professionalism, ethics, and compassion.


Faculty Awards

Psychiatry Residency

Outstanding Clinical Teaching Award

(PGY1/2) Jonathan Komisar, MD, Assistant Professor 
(PGY3/4) Nicole Helmke, MD, Assistant Professor 
Honors faculty members who have demonstrated a passion and talent for clinical teaching and supervision and who has made a significant contribution to resident education. 

Outstanding Didactic Teaching Award 

Philip Spiro, MD, Clinical Faculty
Honors faculty members who has demonstrated outstanding skills in didactic/classroom teaching, delivering teaching sessions that are impactful, effective, engaging, and memorable.

Outstanding Mentor Award 

Paul Riordan, MD, Medical Assistant Professor
Honors a faculty member who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to mentoring, through supporting the professional and personal development of trainees and serving as an exemplary role model within the department. 

Outstanding Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Educator Award 

(CAP Year 1) Aishwarya Rajagopalan, DO, Assistant Professor
(CAP Year 2) Amanda Kimberg, MD, Assistant Professor 
Honors a faculty member who has demonstrated an excellence in clinical teaching, supervision, and medical education of child and adolescent psychiatry fellows, imparting a sense of curiosity, displaying professionalism, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Health Service Psychology Doctoral Internship 

Faculty Appreciation Award 

Katherine Applegate, PhD, Associate Professor
Honors a faculty member who has made outstanding contributions and shown unwavering dedication to the academic excellence of the Duke University Health Service Psychology Doctoral Internship Program.

Service Award

Christian Mauro, PhD, Associate Professor
Honors 10 years of exceptional leadership, visionary direction, and unwavering commitment to the Duke University Health Service Psychology Doctoral Internship.

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