Penn State Health and the Penn State College of Medicine have recognized the achievements of their staff, faculty, and students for their dedication beyond regular duties. The institutions have compiled a list of awards and appointments from October 1 to February 28, 2025.
Dr. Ajay Saini has been promoted to medical director of quality at Penn State Health. He will develop new quality and patient safety initiatives while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Lillian Barker has been appointed vice president and chief quality officer at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center after serving in an interim capacity for 18 months.
Karl Clebak is now the associate dean for Graduate Medical Education at the College of Medicine and Penn State Health, effective January 1. Mumtaz Darbar joins the board of directors of the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, filling Steve Massini’s term following his retirement.
Wayne Sebastianelli has been elected vice president of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery for a one-year term. Dr. Behzad Soleimani is named chair of the Department of Surgery at Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
John Michael Umali takes on the role of regional director-laboratory for Holy Spirit and Hampden medical centers, coming from Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore.
Penn State Health was named to Military Times’ Best for Vets: 2024 Employers list, ranking ninth among participating organizations in Pennsylvania. Its ECMO program received a Gold Level ELSO Award for Excellence in Life Support from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization.
Ninety-three physicians from Penn State Health were recognized as Castle Connolly Top Doctors in 2025, representing the top seven percent nationwide. Sheilah Borne was named to City & State PA’s Who’s Who in Government Relations list for her work over two decades representing legislative interests.
Jennifer Erkinger was honored by the American Association for Respiratory Care as Specialty Practitioner of the Year for Neonatal/Pediatrics. Mark Lesher received recognition as Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy Preceptor of the Year through student nominations.
Dr. Amyn Rojiani earned the 2024 CAP Lifetime Achievement Award from the College of American Pathologists for leadership in academics and patient care.
Lancaster Medical Center was designated as a Keystone 10 facility by Pennsylvania health authorities for its breastfeeding promotion efforts and also earned certification as a Designated Lung Cancer Screening Center by meeting rigorous standards set by the American College of Radiology.
