“Outstanding Role Models”: CV’s Cornielle-Caamano and Nagarajan Honored With Mulholland Awards

Vertilio (“Vert”) Cornielle-Caamano, MD, and Vijai Nagarajan, MD, second- and third-year trainees, respectively, in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine’s Basic Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program, were among those who were honored with Mulholland teaching awards this year.

The Mulholland teaching awards — named for Henry B. Mulholland, MD, a distinguished professor of internal medicine at UVA for 45 years who served as Department of Medicine chair in the 1940s and was a renowned clinician and teacher — were established to acknowledge and recognize the educational contributions and excellence of UVA housestaff and fellows. The Mulholland Society polls third- and fourth-year medical school classes for names of housestaff and fellows who have been outstanding teachers or have been particularly helpful in their development as clinicians; the faculty selection committee then makes the final determination regarding award recipients.

Pam Mason, MD, director of CV’s basic cardiovascular fellowship program, noted that, “Historically, the Mulholland awards most commonly go to residents rather than fellows, as they tend to interact more with the students. For the division’s fellows to have two Mulholland awards — as well as a nomination for an All-University Teaching award for fellow Michelle Ouellette (who was a 2015 Mulholland winner) is remarkable — and has been noted by the GME office. It’s a reflection of the hard work our fellows do every single day — not only in caring for patients, but also in educating future physicians.”

Congratulations to both!

Vertillo Cornielle-Caamano, MD

Vertilio Cornielle-Caamano, MD

“It is rare, yet preciously valuable, that we are given instruction in the values that make doctors doctors. Compassion, accountability, responsiveness, sincerity — these are the things that make us healers and worthy of our privileged position at the bedside of those who suffer. Vert demonstrates those values as much as he explicitly teaches them. He exudes warmth, competency, and generosity of spirit that invites colleagues, patients and students to approach him for guidance.”
– Third-year UVA medical student

“Dr. Cornielle-Caamano is an outstanding role model for the students he works with. He has a degree of professionalism and dedication that is unmatched. He has great respect and care for his patients as well as the students that he works with.”
– Brian Annex, MD
Chief, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine

Vijai Nagarajan, MD

“While on the Neurology service, I was taking care of a patient who had suffered a stroke and whose echocardiogram report was unclear to me. We had ordered a bubble study to determine if he had a patent foramen ovale, and the report did not provide a definite answer. I decided to page Vijai to see if he would be willing to review the echocardiogram with me. Within minutes of my page, Vijai called back to say that he was in clinic but would be happy to review the case over the phone. He went on to describe to me how exactly the bubble study was interpreted [… and] to answer my questions about the management of such patients. Frankly, I don’t know of any other fellow or resident who would take that much time to explain such concepts, especially in the middle of clinic.”
– Third-year UVA medical student

“Virtually every youthful learner who has encountered VJ has said of him, “Always upbeat, positive and engaging” … “Incredibly generous with his time” … “Strongly vested in our success” … “Among the most helpful and humble of teachers.”
– Robert Gibson, MD,
President of Clinical Staff, UVA Health System