School of Medicine Launches Recognition Program

David Wathen, DO, was the award’s first winner for the month of April. Wathen, assistant professor of pediatrics and SLUCare physician, practices as a pediatric hospitalist at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and serves as the medical director of the General Inpatient Units and as current medical staff president. He was nominated for the award by fellow faculty member, Matt Broom, M.D., who lauded Wathen’s patience, ability to thrive in challenging clinical and patient situations, and his commitment to trainees and Glennon families.

“He models a calm and coaching demeanor when interacting with challenging patients or clinical situations,” Broom said. “He makes me proud to practice as a physician on the medical staff at Cardinal Glennon. He is the type of leader and individual that SLU should highlight to trainees and other faculty as an example of high-quality, empathetic patient care.”

May’s honoree, Bruce Kraemer, M.D., was nominated by resident Kashyup Tadisnia, M.D. Kraemer is currently program director, SLUCare professor and chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery in the School of Medicine. Under his watch, SLU’s plastic surgery residents have risen to achieve the top scores on the Board Certification Written Examination and the graduating residents have matched at the most competitive, prestigious fellowships in the country.

Tadisnia praised Kraemer’s ability to impact those training under him personally and professionally.

“Dr. Kraemer leads by example when it comes to all aspects of our residency, whether it is staffing a weekend clinic, staying late to take on add on cases, take extra time to talk to certain patients who need more care, taking the time to meet with residents to improve our program, and constantly seeking to improve and expand our division,” Tadisnia said. “As a resident, I feel inspired to push myself to work harder, be more efficient, and think at a higher level just by being on his service.”