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(MINOT, ND) – Several Trinity Health physicians have been recognized for excellence by Trinity Health and the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Grand Forks.

Bahram Nico, MD, and Mark Noel, DO, were named Trinity Health Physician of the Year and Humanitarian of the Year respectively. Both awards are given annually to doctors who best exemplify Trinity’s values based on nominations by peers and staff members.

A board-certified neurologist, Dr. Nico joined Trinity Health in 2009 after completing his residency and fellowship training in clinical neurophysiology and sleep medicine. He was praised for always going the extra mile on behalf of patients. ‘He never acts too busy or uninterested; he always has the patient’s best interests in mind. If not for his expertise there are many people who be severely impaired or worse,’ the nomination stated.

A board-certified otolaryngologist, Dr. Noel joined Trinity Health in 2011 after completing a four-year residency in Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery. He was cited for his excellent skills and for embodying the qualities that patients look for in a physician. ‘He comes to work with great spirits and makes our working place a fun place to be,’ the citation read. ‘When he walks in to work ñ even when he may be having a rough day, he never shows it.’

The UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences named Dawn Mattern, MD, one of five North Dakota physicians to receive the Dean’s Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Volunteer Faculty. The award is given to medical school faculty who go ‘above and beyond the call of duty in giving medical students the benefit of their time, experience, knowledge, and wisdom.’

In addition, the medical school’s Northwest Campus in Minot singled out two doctors for recognition by residents and medical students. David Billings, MD, an obstetrician/gynecologist, received the Fourth-Year Medical Student Preceptor of the Year Award, and nephrologist Nasser Saffarian, MD, was named UND Family Medicine Residency Preceptor of the Year for 2018.

‘It’s an honor to congratulate these physicians,’ said John M. Kutch, President and CEO of Trinity Health. ‘They’ve all earned the respect and admiration of the patients, staff, and students who work with them on a daily basis. They define what we mean when we talk about medical excellence.’