Excellence in Service and Professionalism
The Excellence in Service and Professionalism award is presented to the physician who actively promotes a culture that embraces, expects and rewards the delivery of patient- and family-centered care.
Stacey Levitt Stone, M.D.
Neonatologist
Center for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
Since joining the neonatology program in 2002, Dr. Stacey Levitt Stone has dedicated her career to the care of vulnerable newborn patients. As a key member of the Center for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) care team — the only intensive care unit dedicated solely to the care of patients with CDH — Stone manages the delicate balance of stabilizing critically ill infants. As a member of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) team, she works alongside ECMO surgeons, guiding ventilation strategies that protect patients’ fragile lungs. Her efforts are essential to the unit’s superior outcomes and the care model based on early medical decisions that set the stage for lifelong health.
Stone’s years of service on the hospital’s Human Values and Ethics Committee reflect her integrity and commitment to doing what is right for patients, families and staff. Her experience as a neonatologist strengthens the committee’s culture of compassion, fairness and ethical clarity. Across all her roles — neonatologist, CDH team member, ethicist, mentor and colleague — Stone models altruism, competence and collaboration, and she is a thoughtful presence during moments of crisis. Her impact is cultural as well as clinical, and she elevates the standard of professionalism for everyone around her.
Ozan Akça, M.D.
Professor, Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
One of Dr. Ozan Akça’s most distinguishing qualities is his ability to treat residents as both learners and colleagues. He recognizes the value of their clinical perspectives and engages in thoughtful, evidence-based discussions while encouraging questions and independent decision-making.
Whether teaching procedural skills, such as placing arterial lines without ultrasound or guiding complex ICU management decisions, Akça creates an environment that is supportive, intellectually rigorous and rooted in mutual respect. He encourages collaboration across teams — specifically among anesthesiology, neurosurgery and critical care services — which has had a profound impact on the standard of care in our institution.
Fernanda Porto Carreiro, M.D.
Physician – Internal Medicine, Montgomery Grove
Johns Hopkins Community Physicians
Dr. Fernanda Porto Carreiro consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that every patient receives compassionate, high-quality care while fostering a positive and collaborative environment for colleagues. Her professionalism, empathy and proactive approach exemplify the highest standards of service and make her an invaluable asset to our organization. She treats every individual with respect, even in challenging situations, and approaches each interaction with patience and empathy. Her ability to combine clinical expertise with genuine care makes her an outstanding role model.
In addition to English, Porto Carreiro is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. She provides care to patients who speak these languages and brings a deep understanding of their cultures, which greatly enhances her interactions and rapport with them. One patient comment encapsulates who Carreiro is as a physician: “There are not enough 10s on the rating for Dr. Porto Carreiro. She’s just great!”
Robin Avery, M.D.
Professor of Medicine, Infectious Diseases
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Dr. Robin Avery is widely recognized across the fields of transplant, oncology and infectious disease for her empathy, clinical mastery and steadfast advocacy, consistently going far beyond expectations to secure the safest, most effective treatments for her patients. Over 32 years — at Johns Hopkins since 2012 and Cleveland Clinic before that — Avery has cared for thousands of patients from across the U.S. and around the world, often forming lifelong bonds through her exceptional skills, kindness and generosity. She routinely expands her already full clinic without additional compensation, earning uniformly glowing feedback that describes her as brilliant, compassionate and lifesaving.
Avery’s influence extends far beyond direct patient care. She has been a leader in clinical guidelines for the American Society of Transplantation and other societies, a fierce advocate for immunocompromised individuals, and a dedicated educator for the next generation of clinicians in the infectious disease and transplant-related fields. Avery embodies the highest ideals of the medical profession: altruism, competence, humility and unwavering dedication. Her colleagues, patients and their families unanimously attest that she elevates the entire health care enterprise.
Shirley Duarte, M.D.
Clinical Associate
Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
Dr. Shirley Duarte has been instrumental in supporting the management of medically complex obstetric anesthesia consults, offering thoughtful, evidence-based guidance in high-risk and multifaceted clinical scenarios.
Duarte plays a vital role in medical education, providing both intraoperative and didactic teaching for anesthesiology residents. She also contributes to institutional improvement through her service on several key committees, including the Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center representative on the Johns Hopkins Health System Anesthesia and Analgesia Committee and an active member of the medical center’s Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee.
Her inclusive, patient-centered approach highlights outstanding service, professionalism and unwavering dedication to high-quality care. She maintains broad availability to answer patient questions, helping reduce anxiety in patients and their families.
“Her dedication and ability to inform multidisciplinary teams of complex patients sets the benchmark for high-quality care and professional excellence,” a colleague says.
Ashley Sharp, M.D.
Anesthesiologist
Sibley Memorial Hospital
Dr. Ashley Sharp embodies the highest standards of service and professionalism. As an anesthesiologist, she uses her skill and compassion to provide direct patient care while also coordinating the anesthesiology schedule to meet the surgical needs of the hospital. Her contributions are vital to keeping the operating rooms running, and she often works during her time off to coordinate with perioperative services to ensure adequate staffing levels.
Sharp’s collaboration and stewardship with perioperative services contribute to clinical excellence at Sibley. Her expertise in the anesthesia scheduling system and relationship with Sibley staff set her apart from anyone else in the department. Her clinical work is outstanding, making her highly requested by anesthesiologists, surgeons and patients. She is committed to patient safety and operational efficiency, making her an invaluable team member at Sibley.
Shannon Reeve, M.D.
Emergency Medicine
Suburban Hospital
Dr. Shannon Reeve demonstrates outstanding clinical skills and remarkable attention to detail in even the simplest cases she encounters as an emergency medicine physician. She also brings compassion, clear communication and commendable composure to any situation. “No matter how difficult or demanding her patients might be, her demeanor and professionalism are unflappable,” one colleague writes.
A member of the Suburban Hospital medical staff since 2016, the humble Reeve is beloved by her colleagues, who call her “incomparable” and “truly a gem.” She possesses a unique ability to efficiently manage a busy emergency department, while at the same time delivering high-quality, patient-focused and family-centered care. “Flawless is impossible,” another colleague writes, “but she strives for it in every patient encounter.”
