EJI Excellence in Medicine hosted its annual awards ceremony on May 7, 2025, at Park Château Estate and Gardens in East Brunswick. Recognizing outstanding health care leaders, these awards are regarded as the highest honors within New Jersey’s medical community. Proceeds from the evening will support scholarships for future leaders in health care across medical, dental, pharmacy and physician assistant programs.
The 2025 EJI Excellence in Medicine Awards™, hosted by Steve Adubato and Patricia A. Costante, were made possible through the support of sponsors and attendees. Paul J. Hirsch, M.D., chairman of the EJI Excellence in Medicine Fund, reflected on the evening, saying, “This year’s ceremony was a moving celebration of the compassion, resilience and leadership our honorees bring to New Jersey’s health-care community. Their work is changing lives every day and lighting the way for the next generation of health-care heroes.”
Patricia A. Costante, founding member of the EJI Excellence in Medicine Fund, added, “The success of this year’s event underscores the vital role our scholarship program plays in shaping tomorrow’s health care landscape. By championing education and opportunity, we are building a future where every New Jersey resident has access to outstanding care and a healthier tomorrow.”
The 2025 EJI Excellence in Medicine honorees:
Outstanding Medical Educator Award
Kim E. Fenesy, D.M.D., vice dean, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM)
Dr. Fenesy, a former medical illustrator, earned her dental degree from Rutgers in 1986. As a postgraduate, she specialized in periodontics before transitioning into academia. As vice dean at RSDM, she led student support and interprofessional education (IPE) initiatives. Her leadership in IPE shaped national standards and secured a $2.5 million HRSA grant to enhance collaborative health-care education. Recognized for her contributions, she continues to impact dental education and patient care.
Outstanding Healthcare Executive Award
Bill Arnold, MHA, executive vice president, president Southern Region for RWJBarnabas Health; Chief executive officer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick
With nearly 30 years in leadership roles within the health system, Arnold oversees patient care, philanthropy and academic medical services across multiple New Jersey counties. He collaborates closely with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School to advance clinical research, education and specialized medical programs. Recognized as an industry leader, he serves on numerous healthcare boards and was named an Academic Medical Center CEO to Know by Becker’s Hospital Review in 2023 and 2024.
EJI Physician’s Award®
Amy P. Murtha, M.D., dean, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Amy Murtha, M.D., became dean of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in August 2022. A specialist in maternal-fetal medicine, her research and clinical work focus on improving care for high-risk pregnancies and preterm birth. Previously, she served as professor and chair of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences and chief medical officer of Women’s Health at UCSF, where she expanded women’s health services and research initiatives. Before that, she spent 20 years at Duke University, advancing in leadership after completing her training there.
Verice M. Mason Community Service Leader Award
Nicole Harris-Hollingsworth, Ed.D., MCHES, senior health systems scientist and senior vice president, social determinants and impact, Hackensack Meridian Health
Dr. Harris-Hollingsworth drives systemwide strategies to address health disparities and expand community resources. Her work focuses on fostering regional collaborations and integrating shared decision-making in community-engaged research. A recognized leader, she has received numerous accolades, including Becker’s Hospital Review 2024 Black Healthcare Leaders to Know and Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Innovators. Beyond her role, she actively serves on national and community health committees, reinforcing her commitment to public health and equity.
Outstanding Scientist Award
David Alland, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, FAAM, professor of medicine and chief of the division of infectious diseases, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Dr. Alland is a professor of medicine and chief of Infectious Diseases at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where he leads several research centers. He is renowned for his work on drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), including developing the Xpert MTB/RIF Assay, the first point-of-care TB test. His research on drug resistance mechanisms has led to new insights into TB treatment and the development of novel drug candidates. Recently, Dr. Alland has focused on dissecting the phenotypes of bacterial subpopulations and continued innovations in diagnostics and treatments for infectious diseases.
Peter W. Rodino, Jr. Citizen’s Award
Shawna Hudson, Ph.D., FSBM, senior associate dean for Population Health Research; Professor, vice chair of Research and Henry Rutgers chair of Family Medicine and Community Health; Director, Center Advancing Research and Evaluation for Person-Centered Care, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Dr. Hudson is a leader in community-engaged research on health equity and primary care for cancer survivors, co-authoring influential National Academies reports. Dr. Hudson directs the CARE-PC Center and LHS E-STaR Center, training future researchers in patient-centered care. With over 130 peer-reviewed publications, she is an elected fellow of the Society of Behavioral Medicine and the National Academy of Medicine.
