TTUHSC University Awards Ceremony Honors Recipients

• By Kate Gollahon
• March 5, 2026
• Campus Life

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.