The Transitional Year Program recently held a private dinner at Cypress Social in North Little Rock to honor the departing Class of 2025 and welcome the arriving Class of 2026. Dr. Jamie Pinto, Transitional Year Program Director, extended a warm welcome to all residents, faculty, staff, friends, and family members in attendance, and introduced leadership members to new faces.

Dr. Pinto recognized Dr. Aaron Gaul and Dr. Olivia Tzeng for serving as the 2024-25 GMEC Representatives, expressing her gratitude for their assuming of the responsibility. She also thanked Dr. Haley Feezell and Dr. Amy Abdalla for their service on the Program Evaluation Committee, and commended their contribution to the committee over the academic year.

Residents and faculty were presented with awards for their accomplishments and hard work, chosen by both resident physicians and faculty members. Dr. Haley Feezell received the Resident Service Award in recognition of her collegiality, leadership, and selflessness towards her peers and the program. Dr. Ryan Rahman was honored with the 2025 Resident Excellence Award for his exceptional work throughout the academic year and outstanding performance.

The Transitional Year Class of 2025 also presented Dr. Angela Driskill, Transitional Year Associate Program Director, with the 2025 Faculty Teaching Award, recognizing her excellence in teaching, mentoring, and exemplary commitment to the education of the Transitional Year Residents.

The end of the academic year and the beginning of a new year were celebrated hand-in-hand with the gathering of all those dedicated to the teaching and learning of Transitional Year Residents. On behalf of the entire Baptist Health-NLR GME team, we wish the best for all those moving on to further their education in residency, and welcome all the new faces we will come to know over the next year!