Celebrating our 2025 recipients of the Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical Educators Excellence in Teaching Award
UCSF Department of Surgery
October 2, 2025

Please join us in celebrating our 2025 recipients of the Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical Educators Excellence in Teaching Award:
- Caitlin Collins, MD - nominated by Dr. Kenzo Hirose & Patricia O'Sullivan
- Joseph Cuschieri, MD, FACS - nominated by Drs. Adnan Alseidi & Andre Campbell, MD, FACS, FACP, FCCM, MAMSE, DABS, FCBC
- April Mendoza, MD, MPH - nominated by Drs. Andre Campbell, MD, FACS, FACP, FCCM, MAMSE, DABS, FCBC & Matthew Lin
- Shareef Syed, MD - nominated by Drs. Hueylan Chern & Adnan Alseidi
- Lucas W. Thornblade, MD MPH FACS - nominated by Drs. Matthew Lin & Jessica Gosnell
- Mark Zhao, MD nominated by Drs. Jessica Gosnell & Hueylan Chern
This peer-nominated honor—one of University of California, San Francisco’s most prestigious recognitions in teaching—celebrates faculty whose contributions and mentorship strengthen UCSF’s commitment to surgical education and the training of future physicians.