Guests, including family, friends and colleagues, met at the nearby Courtyard by Marriott, in the shadow of Kinnick Stadium and the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

The graduates were presented with tokens of appreciation in recognition of their achievement and offered the opportunity to say a few words of thanks to the audience. Xiaocen Zhang, MD, offered individualized thanks for each faculty member. Salman Ansari, MD, referred to Zhang as “the heart of the group,” and Charles Meade, MD, insisted that his speech was not a speech. Tunde Olaiya, MD, shared an anecdote illustrating how he had been inspired to improve by his respected co-fellows and faculty. He thanked them and every person in the room on his behalf and those of his graduating cohort. “Thank you for your sacrifice,” he said. “Thank you for being a part of our stories.”

Division Director David Elliott, MD, PhD, also presented the Robert Summers Memorial Teaching Award, named for one of the division’s legendary and inspirational instructors, the winner of which is chosen annually by the fellows themselves. This year, the fellows chose Henning Gerke, MD.

After the presentations, it was time for some group photos.

Congratulations to this year’s fellows on their completion of the Gastroenterology Fellowship!

Salman Ansari, MD
Charles Meade, MD
Tunde Olaiya, MBChB
Xiaocen Zhang, MD

Our thanks to this year’s event organizers, Stephanie Wellington, Taryn Owens, and Hilary Humphrey. Additional thanks to Claire McGranhan for serving as the evening’s photographer.