A clinician whose outstanding skill, empathy, and professionalism set the standard for patient care across our diverse practice settings. Their commitment to excellence enhances the lives of patients and inspires colleagues and trainees.

Kelli DeLay, MD
Assistant Professor

“Dr. Delay consistently has top patient satisfaction scores and goes the extra mile for her patients. Her clinical productivity has increased quite a bit this year and yet she is able to maintain great service. Dr. Delay is usually one of the first to volunteer to cover if a colleague is sick or is unable to cover their scheduled service obligations. Dr. Delay consistently has top patient satisfaction scores and goes the extra mile for her patients. Her clinical productivity has increased quite a bit this year and yet she is able to maintain great service. Dr. Delay is usually one of the first to volunteer to cover if a colleague is sick or is unable to cover their scheduled service obligations”

 

“Extraordinarily accomplished clinical esophagologist, who is both astute and appropriately reasonable in her evaluations. Provides subspecialty expertise in a practiced, compassionate manner”

“Stephanie has proven to be a thoughtful, caring, and thorough clinician over the years I have practiced with her. I met Stephanie when I was a new grad at another GI practice and her clinical acumen and patient centered care she provided was always something I have strived to emulate. She is a wonderful provider and colleague”

“I am nominating Stephanie McDowell, PA-C for the Outstanding Clinician Award for the exceptional care she provides to her patients every day. Stephanie is an incredibly skilled and compassionate clinician who consistently goes above and beyond for her patients, colleagues, and staff. She manages some of the more complex and challenging patients within our GI population, particularly patients with functional GI disorders and chronic conditions that often require extensive coordination, communication, patience, and trust-building”

“The respect and appreciation Stephanie receives from patients is reflected repeatedly in patient comments describing her professionalism, compassion, communication, and the quality of care she provides. Patients consistently describe feeling listened to, respected, and genuinely cared for”

Recognizes a faculty member whose scholarly work has or will significantly advance understanding in gastroenterology or hepatology. Their research exemplifies intellectual rigor, collaboration, and potential for impact.

Arianne Theiss, PhD
Professor with Tenure

“Dr. Arianne Theiss of the University of Colorado is highly deserving of the Achievement in Research Award for her outstanding contributions to the fields of intestinal epithelial biology, inflammation, and mucosal immunology. Through a career marked by scientific rigor, innovation, and collaboration, Dr. Theiss has advanced our understanding of how epithelial cells respond to injury, hypoxia, and microbial signals within the gastrointestinal tract. Her pioneering studies have illuminated critical mechanisms governing epithelial barrier function and tissue repair, with important implications for inflammatory bowel disease and progression toward colon cancer”

“Dr. Theiss has established herself as a respected national leader and mentor whose work bridges fundamental discovery and translational relevance. Her research has been consistently supported by competitive NIH, VA and foundation-based funding sources and disseminated through high-impact publications in the disciplines highest impact journals. She is a consistent leader in multiple national organizations, including the AGA, APS and Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. In addition to her scientific accomplishments, she has demonstrated exceptional dedication to training students and fellows, fostering an environment of intellectual curiosity and collaboration”

A faculty member who has made a lasting impact through mentorship of their colleagues. This award honors those who generously share their time, insight, and experience to support the professional
development, well-being, and success of fellow faculty members across career stages and disciplines.

Katherine Dickerman, ANP=BC
Assistant Professor

“Katie is not only an absolute pleasure to work with but is an incredible mentor. While she's stepped down from her role as lead APP, she continues to make herself available for anything the APPs need. She's been an invaluable resource as the general APPs started inpatient shifts, helping answer medical questions, logistical queries, and how to navigate the hospital's geography”

“She always puts others forward for recognition of their hard work (and is busy nominating others for these awards), reaches out to colleagues when she sees an opportunity that she thinks they'd enjoy and/or would add to their career/personal development, and is a fierce advocate for APPs, trainees, and everyone she works with. I can't think of anyone more deserving for this recognition”

 

Honors an early- to mid-career faculty member who demonstrates exceptional promise as a future leader in academic medicine. Through initiative, collaboration, and a clear commitment to excellence, they are already making a significant impact within the Division and beyond.

Katelyn Cookson, PA-C
Assistant Professor

“Katelyn Cookson is exceptionally deserving of the Emerging Leader Award because she has already made a meaningful impact on our division through her leadership, collaboration, and genuine investment in the people around her. Although she formally stepped into the Lead APP role only recently, Katelyn has long been viewed as a natural leader within our division.

Over the past five years, she consistently took initiative within the inpatien therapeutics team, helping support clinical operations, improving workflows, problem solving, and team cohesion well before holding a formal leadership title”

 

“Since transitioning into the Lead APP role, she has truly hit the ground running. One of the first things she prioritized was meeting individually with APPs across the division at our multiple practice sites to better understand their experiences, challenges, and professional goals. She approaches these conversations with curiosity, thoughtfulness, and sincerity, and APPs consistently feel heard, supported, and advocated for by her. One of the reasons Katelyn leads so effectively is because she is such a strong clinician. She approaches complex clinical situations with confidence, good judgment, and a natural ease with medical decision making, which has earned the trust and respect of APPs, physicians, nurses, and multidisciplinary partners alike”

Recognizes a faculty member who exemplifies commitment to the mission of the Division through selfless service to our institutions, learners, or the broader community. Their behind-the-scenes contributions keep our programs thriving.

Bharat Maraj, MD MHS
Assistant Professor

“Dr. Maraj works tirelessly to help our GI division in so many different ways. He has taken on education coordination, managing the busy schedules of all residents, fellows, and students rotating through Denver Health. His dedication to this has made for countless positive education experiences in our outpatient clinics and inpatient service. In addition, he provides new fellows with the training and orientation they need at the start of each academic year - this helps tremendously to create a smooth transition into fellowship. In addition, Bharat finds numerous ways to support his colleagues and staff on a daily basis. He is always volunteering to cover shifts, makes himself available to the nursing team to answer questions and troubleshoot issues. He demonstrates enthusiasm to take on new directives such as SIBO testing, collaboration with surgery broaden our scope of diagnostic tests. His service to all members of our team (learners, schedulers, techs, RNs, faculty) certainty warrants further recognition - We are thrilled to have him as a part of our team and are so grateful for all he contributes”

 

 

Amanda Wieland, MD MSc
Associate Professor