She is nationally recognized for her research to understand and improve long-term outcomes of individuals with acquired brain injury.

Zavala was the first to receive the Leader in Transplant Administration Award from the OPTN/UNOS Transplant Administrators Committee for his significant contributions to and positive impact on the field. 

The annual awards honor heroic actions by emergency medical services providers who gave exemplary care to both adult and pediatric patients.

The Credo Award winner became a certified surgical technologist after receiving life-changing advice from her mother.

The mission of the academy is to enhance the educational environment in the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

They are Scott McCall, MD, PhD, instructor in Medicine, and Kevin Seitz, MD, MSc, assistant professor of Medicine.

The recipient of the 2025 Shovel Award is Ban Mishu Allos, MD, associate professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases.