Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award
2025 Recipient: Tara Vijayan, MD,
Honoring the finest in professionalism, compassion, empathy, and care
About the Award Recipient
Tara Vijayan, MD, was honored with the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award. This award, presented by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation, recognizes faculty members who are mentors and exemplars of humanism in the care of patients and families.
Dr. Tara Vijayan an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at DGSOM. She provides direct patient care on the inpatient Infectious Diseases Consult services of the UCLA Health System, as well as both in the Medical Services Specialty (MSS) Clinics at UCLA and at the UCLA Center for Clinical AIDS Research & Education (CARE), where she also serves as the Medical Director. Additionally, she serves as the Medical Director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program for UCLA Health. In her multiple leadership roles, she comes in direct contact with faculty, trainees, staff, students and patients across the health system; the sine qua non of all of her interactions is an exceptional approach of humanism and compassion.
About the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award
The Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award is presented by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, a national organization dedicated to ensuring that compassion, respect, and empathy are at the core of all healthcare interactions. This award recognizes and honors faculty members who are exemplary in their compassion and sensitivity in the delivery of care to patients and their family members, as well as in their respect for their colleagues. The recipient is nominated and selected by faculty peers.
Award Recipients
2025
2024
2023
- 2022: Christina Harris, MD
- 2021: Amar Kishan, MD
- 2020: Roya Ijadi-Maghsoodi, MD, MSHPM
- 2019: Mark Girgis, MD
- 2018: Nadia Del-Pan, MD
- 2017: Nicholas Bernthal, MD
- 2016: Estebes Hernandez, MD
- 2015: Radhika Rible, MD
- 2014: Isaac Yang, MD
- 2013: Noah Federman, MD
- 2012: Yvette Bordelon, MD, PhD
- 2011: Fernando Vinuela, MD
- 2010: Michael Gitlin, MD
- 2009: Mark Litwin, MD
- 2008: Margaret Stuber, MD
- 2007: Wesley Moore, MD
- 2006: Michael Sopher, MD
- 2005: Stephen Feig, MD
- 2004: Glenn Mathisen, MD
- 2003: Matthew Goetz, MD
- 2002: Susan Perlman, MD
- 2001: Carol Berkowitz, MD
- 2000: Alison Diamant, MD, MSHS