Cincinnati - The Jewish Hospital presented its first annual Deepak Bhandari, M.D. Memorial Excellence in Cardiology Award to Karen Minsterman, R.N., and Lamberto T. R. Galang, Jr., M.D. The award is given to a staff member and resident physician from Jewish Hospital's cardiac catheterization lab who best represent the late Dr. Deepak Bhandari's standards and ideals - patient care, clinical excellence and academic achievement.

Before he died, Dr. Bhandari chose Karen Minsterman of Ft. Thomas, Ky. to be one of the first award recipients. Minsterman has worked at Jewish Hospital since 1979 in the cardiac catheterization lab as a staff nurse and in recent years as a clinical educator.

"Karen has an impeccable work ethic and a true passion for cardiac nursing. The cath lab staff and physicians look to Karen for her opinion and help," said Debbie Caskey, R.N., administrative director, cardiovascular services, Jewish Hospital. "Everyone seems to agree that she was the perfect person to receive the first award."

Dr. Galang of Blue Ash is a graduate of The Ohio State University Medical School and completed his internship at The Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus. He has been a resident physician in internal medicine at Jewish Hospital since July 2004, and he will be chief resident for the coming academic year.

"Dr. Galang is the graduating senior resident in internal medicine who best represents the professional standards of patient care, clinical excellence and academic achievement," said Stephen J. Goldberg, M.D., director of internal medicine, Jewish Hospital.

The Deepak Bhandari, M.D. Memorial Excellence in Cardiology Award is named after a Jewish Hospital cardiologist who passed away on June 24, 2005. The award honors those who excel in cardiology, in the cath lab and are committed to continuing education. Bhandari's family, and members of his practice, Comprehensive Cardiology, established the fund for the award.

The Jewish Hospital is part of the Health Alliance, an integrated health care delivery system that also includes The Christ Hospital, The University Hospital, The St. Luke Hospitals, The Fort Hamilton Hospital and the physicians of Alliance Primary Care. To view other Health Alliance news releases, go to www.health-alliance.com/pressroom.

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