University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson internal medicine residents selected to receive Hall Award

Elizabeth Juneman, MD, interim Director of the Sarver Heart Center (left), Pallabi Shrestha, MBBS, Mahima Zandu, MBBS, and James Liao, MD, chair of the Department of Medicine at the College of Medicine - Tucson

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson Division of Cardiology faculty and fellows selected two resident physicians to receive the Charles W. Hall Jr. and Virginia C. Hall Memorial Endowment Award for Outstanding House Officer in the Cardiac Care Unit. The annual award rewards internal medicine residents based on their performance and excellence in the cardiac care unit who become highly engaged in cardiovascular learning.

Mahima Zandu, MBBS, a second-year internal medicine resident at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson was raised in India. She completed most of her education there before moving to the United States for her residency. “I am honored and earnestly grateful to have received the Hall award by the Department of Cardiology. The support and encouragement I have received from my colleagues and faculty members is incomparable,” said Mahima. “My mentors and preceptors at Saver Heart Center have guided me to achieve everything I have done so far and become a better version of myself. I am highly privileged to train in such an institution which focused on my learning and growth both professionally and personally as an individual.”

Born and raised in the bustling historic city of Kathmandu, Nepal, Pallabi Shrestha, MBBS began her medical journey at Kathmandu Medical College. She then embarked on research adventures in California and Minnesota. She is currently a second-year internal medicine resident at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson. Her mission is to be a reliable clinician, earning the trust and confidence of her patients. “Cardiology is where my heart truly belongs. Witnessing its incredible impact on real-world, patient care during my clinical years fueled my passion for the field,” said Pallabi. “I firmly believe that heart diseases are both preventable and treatable, and it's immensely satisfying to apply my medical knowledge and keep up with the latest breakthroughs.”

“On behalf of the cardiology faculty, we’ve had the pleasure to work with both Mahima and Pallabi in the cardiac care unit. They’ve demonstrated their passion and drive for providing the best patient care,” said Elizabeth Juneman, MD, interim director of the Sarver Heart Center.