Some individuals significantly contribute to a cause or need without seeking accolades or fame. In 2023, SHM began recognizing a chapter leader who did just that with its annual Unsung Hero Award. These leaders have positively influenced SHM from behind the scenes, have shown a willingness to help in whatever capacity is necessary, and have supported other chapter members. So far, three hospitalists have received this honor.
2022: Gwendolyn Williams, MD, FACP, FHM
Dr. Williams
Dr. Williams began her journey in hospital medicine in 2015 at Sentara Health as a hospitalist. Today, she is a hospitalist and assistant professor of medicine in the department of internal medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University, an academic hospital with 865 beds in Richmond, Va.
“Throughout my career, I have become increasingly driven to address the systemic challenges that affect both patient care and provider well-being,” she said. “As a first-generation American and woman of color, I believe that my lived experiences shape how I lead, connect, and advocate. These perspectives allow me to navigate health care with cultural humility, empathy, and a deep commitment to ensuring that all voices—especially those historically underrepresented—are heard and valued. This evolution led me to develop a strong focus on physician advocacy, gender equity, health justice, and inclusive leadership.”
Dr. Williams believes she received the Unsung Hero Award because of her commitment to serving others. “To me, leadership is not about visibility; it’s about impact,” she said. “Many of my contributions may never be known, and that’s exactly how I want it. Whether I’m connecting colleagues with opportunities, supporting a peer, or quietly laying the foundation for others to succeed, I do it from a place of compassion and commitment. I work to create a culture where all members feel empowered, seen, and valued—because when we uplift others, we all rise. This award affirms that work done quietly, mindfully, and with integrity truly matters.”
As SHM’s Hampton Roads Chapter president, Dr. Williams has centered her leadership on service, inclusion, and advancing a shared vision for change. In fact, she led an all-female executive board for the first time in the chapter’s history.
In 2024, the chapter launched a diverse calendar of events, including continuing medical education in accredited clinical lectures, wellness retreats, a yoga series, and collaborative chapter events across state lines. “We elevated conversations on urgent issues such as health disparities, climate change, racial and gender equity, and bias in medicine,” Dr. Williams said.
The chapter also expanded access and engagement by offering hybrid formats for education, community volunteer days, and inclusive family events. Dr. Williams led efforts to create networking opportunities that fostered collaboration across institutions and highlighted underrepresented voices throughout her chapter. Developing leaders, creating new board roles to shorten leadership pathways, and empowering rising leaders were all priorities.
This collective effort led to the Hampton Roads Chapter being named the 2024 SHM Outstanding Chapter of the Year at Converge. “But even more meaningful was the culture we’ve cultivated—a chapter defined by authenticity, allyship, sponsorship, and belonging,” Dr. Williams said.
As a visionary connector, bridge builder, and catalyst for progress, Dr. Williams is committed to cultivating systems where healing is mutual, well-being is foundational, and every person—whether delivering or receiving care—can truly thrive. Through thought leadership, collaboration, writing, and speaking, she aims to ignite meaningful progress and drive lasting structural and cultural change that uplifts the entire health care community and helps shape a more equitable, just, and human-centered future.
As a Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation ambassador, Dr. Williams advocates fiercely for the healthcare workforce’s well-being and champions national policy efforts, including the reauthorization of the Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, to ensure enduring support for those serving on the front lines.
2023: Farzana Hoque, MD, MRCP, FACP, FRCP
Dr. Hoque
Dr. Hoque became an associate professor of medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, an academic hospital in St. Louis, in 2018.
As president of SHM’s St. Louis Chapter from May 2022 to April 2025, she focused on strengthening the chapter’s strategic vision, fostering development, and expanding regional collaboration.
She began her term as the only female board member and led efforts that tripled the number of women board members and added hospitalists from both academic and community hospitals. “This brought fresh perspectives that strengthened decision making,” Dr. Hoque said. She also established two new leadership roles—the director of membership development and an advisory board—to ensure sustainability and broaden engagement.
Dr. Hoque also championed academic and career advancement by launching multiple educational initiatives, including interactive workshops on scholarly writing and a high-impact career development panel. The chapter expanded participation in its annual abstract competition by including medical students, residents, and early-career hospitalists, sparking enthusiasm for hospital medicine and encouraging scholarly growth.
To meet evolving interests in hospital medicine, the chapter hosted point-of-care ultrasound workshops with standardized patients and introduced educational sessions on emerging topics such as hospital-at-home models and financial management for hospitalists. “These programs included built-in networking opportunities that assembled hospitalists across various career stages, creating space for peer connection, mentorship, and collaboration,” Dr. Hoque said.
Dr. Hoque also prioritized collaboration beyond her SHM chapter. The chapter held multiple joint meetings with the Kansas, Hampton Roads, and Charlotte Metro chapters. Further, the St. Louis Chapter launched its first “Hospitalist Day” in partnership with the American College of Physicians Missouri Chapter—a milestone collaboration that brought hospitalists together to share knowledge and build community.
“Through impactful initiatives like these, consistent mentorship of emerging leaders, and a strong commitment to fostering a culture where everyone can succeed, I have strived to embody the spirit of the Unsung Hero Award—lifting others to elevate the entire hospital medicine community,” Dr. Hoque said.
Over the next decade, Dr. Hoque plans to amplify her impact on patient care, medical education, and patient experience. As the medical director of patient experience for the SSM Health St. Louis Region, she collaborates with multidisciplinary leaders to implement evidence-based initiatives across seven hospitals, transforming data into actionable strategies that drive measurable improvements in patient care.
Concurrently, as the inaugural medical director of Bordley Tower of SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, she spearheads operations to deliver patient-centered care aligned with the health system’s mission of providing exceptional healthcare. As the acting internship co-director of Saint Louis University School of Medicine, she feels privileged to mentor medical students, residents, and early career faculty.
Dr. Hoque’s professional passion lies in projects that strengthen physician-patient relationships. Notable examples include Bedside Trio Rounds, which foster real-time team communication and shared decision making, and Commit to Sit, which encourages clinicians to engage more intentionally at the bedside. “In the years ahead, I will scale these and other high-impact models to boost trust and patient experience across our health system,” she said.
Dr. Hoque draws her strength and passion to lead from the values her parents instilled in her. “They taught me the power of consistency, the importance of positivity, and the belief that progress—no matter how small—comes from dedication, perseverance, and trying one more time,” she said. “If we’re not moving forward, we’re not standing still—we’re falling behind.”
2024: Maia Nizharadze, MD, CPE, FHM
Dr. Nizharadze
Dr. Nizharadze joined Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, a 525-bed academic, tertiary medical center in Norfolk, Virginia, as a hospitalist in 2008. In 2015, she became the chief hospitalist in its department of hospital medicine.
“I’ve always loved problem solving and driving quality excellence,” Dr. Nizharadze said. “Under my leadership, we’ve built a strong, high-performing team with a collaborative culture.”
As an SHM member, Dr. Nizharadze has found value in connecting with peers outside of Sentara who shared similar challenges. She has served as an SHM Hampton Roads Chapter steering committee member and its vice president.
In these leadership roles, Dr. Nizharadze has helped to support event planning, identify speakers, and shape agendas that align with hospitalist education and practice needs. She helps to coordinate yearly programming and mentors younger members, including residents from Eastern Virginia Medical School who are considering hospitalist careers.
She is passionate about community engagement, expanding membership, and creating a sense of belonging in her chapter. “I believe our collective efforts have created a dynamic and well-connected hospitalist network,” she said.
Dr. Nizharadze believes the Unsung Hero Award reflects the example she has tried to set. “I never ask my team to do something I wouldn’t do myself,” she said. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, I led daily huddles, developed early local guidelines, and prioritized team safety. I led with integrity and focused on learning, improvement, and patient-centered care. I believe my team felt supported and empowered during those uncertain times.”
Dr. Nizharadze gets her strength and passion to make a difference and be a leader from her colleagues and patients. She believes that hospitalists play a vital role in shaping hospital care. “I feel a responsibility to use my experience to improve safety, quality, and operations,” she said.
“Collaborating with SHM members has sharpened my leadership skills and deepened my appreciation for teamwork,” she said. “Seeing our chapter thrive and my hospitalist group perform at a high level inspires me to keep pushing to be a better clinician, partner, and leader.”
Dr. Nizharadze expects to be increasingly involved in hospital leadership in the future. “I remain deeply connected to patient care and my identity as a hospitalist,” she said. “I want to continue solving complex problems, leading performance initiatives, and building collaborative teams. I don’t pursue titles—I take on challenges that make an impact and push me to grow.”
In the next decade, Dr. Nizharadze hopes to keep evolving, taking on bigger responsibilities, and driving innovation while staying grounded in her purpose—delivering excellent, patient-centered care.
Karen Appold is an award-winning journalist based in Lehigh Valley, Pa.