About UI Health

Annual Awards

Each year, UI Health recognizes outstanding providers and staff with “of the year” awards in the following categories:

• Employee of the Year
• Physician of the Year
• Fellow/Resident of the Year
• Advanced Practice Provider of the Year
• Program Coordinator of the Year

The annual award recipients put patients first; contribute to the delivery of world-class care; inspire colleagues; and personify our core values of Inclusion, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence (ICARE).

Congratulations to our 2026 UI Health Annual Award recipients!

Employee of the Year

Stacy Gilmer

Assistant Director, Employee Engagement Employee Experience

Stacy Gilmer consistently demonstratesexceptional performance, professionalism, and dedication to improving the employee experience at UI Health. Her work to support staff engagement, continuous learning, and a shared culture of excellence reflects a deep respect for her colleagues and an understanding of their commitment to caring for our patients and their families. Stacy approaches this work with unwavering positivity, empathy, and dedication, showing an intentional commitment to inclusion and respect for every member of our workforce. Under her leadership, employee engagement efforts have expanded in ways that ensure all team members feel seen and included, regardless of department or shift. Stacy routinely makes herself available during early mornings, evenings, and other non-traditional hours to ensure all staff have opportunities to participate in Employee Experience initiatives. This level of accountability sends a powerful message to employees that their contributions matter.

Advanced Practice Provider of the Year

Dana Lewis, APRN, CNP

Emergency Medicine

Dana Lewis is a steady, reliable, and compassionate Emergency Medicine provider who is committed to true continuity of care. Patient feedback consistently reflects her professionalism, clear communication, and composed bedside manner, and clinically, she is known to her colleagues for her decisiveness and accuracy under pressure. Dana is not only a strong clinician but also a collaborative and supportive teammate. She leads with kindness and treats everyone she encounters with respect. She is a dedicated mentor to APN students and a dependable colleague who teammates of all roles feel they can turn to for guidance.

Resident of the Year

Daniel Cisneros Montoya, MD

Pediatrics

Dr. Daniel Cisneros Montoya consistently shows exceptional clinical expertise, humility, leadership, and unwaveringly compassionate care. Dr. Cisneros Montoya approaches every patient encounter with empathy and maturity, ensuring that children and families feel heard, supported, and cared for during their most vulnerable moments. Dr. Cisneros Montoya will serve as the University of Illinois College of Medicine’s Chief Resident for the 2027–28 academic year, an honor that reflects his integrity, communication skills, and commitment to resident education and advocacy, in addition to his clinical skills.

Physician of the Year

Joseph Colla, MD, MBA

Emergency Medicine

Dr. Joseph Colla is an exceptional clinician, leader, educator, and nationally recognized
innovator whose contributions reflect the highest standards of academic medicine and patient-centered care. In his nearly two decades at UI Health, Dr. Colla has built one of the most respected emergency ultrasound programs in the country while maintaining a commitment to clinical excellence and patient care. He has played a central role in developing clinical guidelines for the management of sickle cell pain crises, bringing together multidisciplinary stakeholders to reduce variability and improve outcomes. He has been instrumental in advancing strategies for high-utilizing patients, and his work in this space reflects a deep commitment to health equity and to addressing gaps in care for patients with chronic and complex conditions. He is an outstanding clinician, a transformative leader, an innovative thinker, and a deeply committed advocate for both patients and colleagues. His contributions throughout his career have had a profound and lasting impact on UI Health, our trainees, and the communities we serve..

Joseph V. Abraham Leadership Award

Vaibhav Rana — Technologist

Radiology

Vaibhav Rana’s dedication to patients, colleagues, and the mission of UI Health make him an indispensable member of the Imaging & Diagnostic Services team. He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that patients are comfortable, cared for, and treated with respect, and he ensures that every physician has the correct imaging, taking extra steps to verify accuracy and completeness, which directly contributes to the quality of care our patients receive. Beyond his technical skills, Vaibhav’s approachable nature and collaborative mindset make him the person colleagues turn to whenever questions or challenges arise.

Program Coordinator of the Year

Rocio Cazares, MA

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Rocio Cazares is consistently looking out for the well-being and professional development of our trainees, frequently helping encourage them toward their own daily and longer-term successes. Her attention to detail is part of what keeps us running as a tight ship in a complex and busy residency with sometimes-unusual hours and highly varied schedules. It is clear that her priority is the educational mission, seen through her flexible approach in her own schedule to meet the needs of our unique program, and how closely she looks after the residents day in and day out. She carries an innate respect for our learners and faculty, and cares for them as individuals through a lens of compassion and inclusion; routinely, she can be found checking in on them, sending them messages of well-wishes, and going out of her way to make them feel appreciated and special throughout the year. Most importantly, Rocio is a consummate team player. Despite a role that can sometimes be associated with tight deadlines and the high-stakes stressors of helping as part of the team running a successful residency, Rocio remains calm, helps keep us focused, and does so with a smile. Her selflessness is evident, and she is a bright spot in this program.