Sengupta, Beckman Honored With GME Excellence Awards

Sourav Sengupta, MD, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry, received a program director award.

Melissa Beckman was presented with a training program administrator award.

A committee — which included one resident ­— chose this year’s awardees based on nominations from supervisors, colleagues and trainees.

Sengupta, who earned his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine in 2008, became program director for the child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship program in 2016 and has been closely involved in developing the clinical neurodevelopment curriculum and a new collaborative care rotation for senior fellows.

Sengupta has developed collaborative care models in pediatric and adult primary care settings in Western New York, leading a team of therapists and care coordinators who work closely with primary care clinicians to increase access to quality mental health treatment.

“It was very touching to me that the nomination really started among my fellows, my trainees,” Sengupta says. “It means the world to me that they feel supported and they feel that they have someone in their corner and they’re appreciative of what we’re trying to do in terms of their educational training.”

“It’s also wonderful to think that as a program we’re doing something right and trying to do good things in terms of training child psychiatrists and treating kids in Western New York,” he adds.

Sengupta is also the author of an essay published in March in JAMA Network online, “Rebuilding More of Me,” which detailed how he worked through issues of stress with the help of a therapist, which has received positive national attention.

People he works with have high praise for the work Sengupta does.

Among the comments from the nomination letters:

• “He is the type of person we all strive to be — as physicians, teachers and colleagues.”
• “He’s an outstanding leader who has a worth-emulating graceful approach to how he serves as program director.”
• “He is a model for professionalism, integrity and humanism.”
• “Dr. Sengupta has advanced the level of training that I have received an exponential amount. His dedication to the field, compassion for patients and commitment to his fellows makes him a terrific role model and program director.”
• “Dr. Sengupta has created a strong sense of community in the program, where asking for and receiving help is encouraged and supported.”
• “Dr. Sengupta is a man of integrity who provides a clear vision for the mission that we pursue in dedicating our lives to our patients’ health and well-being.”
• “I feel lucky to have been able to train under him.”

Beckman, a graduate of Niagara University, has been in her position with the Department of Surgery since 2016. Before that, she was a program administrator with Catholic Health.

She was awarded a prestigious Graduate Medical Education Program Coordinator Excellence Award from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in 2018.

Beckman enjoys helping residents navigate through the many challenges they face.

“Residents are caught in this world between being medical students and doctors who can independently practice,” Beckman says. “I help guide them during that transition. I like playing that supportive role. I see myself almost like a guidance counselor.”

The residents, faculty and staff Beckman works with are appreciative of her skills.

Among the comments from the nomination letters:

• “She is outstanding and innovative in all aspects of program management.”
• “She is responsive and compassionate in times of resident crisis. She’s always available to help with troubled residents and puts the well-being of her staff above her own.”
• “Melissa revamped the interview process and had solutions and proposals for every aspect.”
• “Melissa helped me to pursue my dream of dedicated surgical oncology research at one of the world’s top research institutions. I am forever grateful for that.”
• “Melissa’s compassion for residents, our education and personal lives is valuable to all of us.”
• “Melissa excels at problem-solving. She is always one step ahead, anticipating the next ‘to do’ not only for herself, but for the entire team.”
• “Melissa truly listens and does not judge.”
• “Melissa is a role model for all.”

The fifth annual GME Awards of Excellence were presented May 21 at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences building.

Roseanne C. Berger, MD, senior associate dean for graduate medical education, presided over the ceremony.

The Office of Graduate Medical Education presents the awards to one program director and one administrator each year.