In a ceremony on the Health Sciences Campus on May 31, Gabriel Zada, MD, director of the USC Brain Tumor Center, was named Keck Medical Center of USC’s Physician of the Year. This was the organization’s inaugural Physician of the Year event and was created to recognize physicians and residents who embody the organization’s mission, vision and values to the fullest.

“Dr. Zada handles a large number of intricate, high-risk cases; and in those situations, the emotional needs of patients and families can be understandably high,” said Stephanie Hall, MD, chief medical officer for Keck Medical Center and host of the event. “Dr. Zada advocates for his patients at every level of care, and treats every team member with respect.”

Zada is a board-certified neurosurgeon and an internationally recognized expert in brain, skull base and pituitary tumor surgery, as well as a variety of endoscopic and minimally invasive neurosurgical techniques. He has treated over 2,000 patients with brain and skull base tumors using both minimally invasive and open cranial approaches.

More background on the award

Keck Medical Center of USC’s Physician and Resident of the Month program launched in August of 2021. Each month, a physician and resident who practice at the medical center or a USC Care facility are selected based on submissions received from employees across the organization. The goal of the program is to select physicians and residents who best represent the organization’s 5-star principles, and who uphold behaviors that create the best experience for everyone receiving care at the enterprise.

For the 2023 Physician and Resident of the Year program, nominees consisted of each month’s winners from the 2022 calendar year. A committee made up of medical staff and administrative leaders then made final selections for the 2023 award winners.

— Matthew Vasiliauskas