Winners of the Inaugural Physician Awards

Medical Staff,  

I’m honored to recognize the winners of the inaugural Physician Awards. We developed these awards to recognize the extraordinary contributions and achievements of our medical team at Providence St. Joseph Hospital.

The awards shine a spotlight on the physicians who embody the spirit and values of St. Joseph Hospital, leading with compassion and a deep commitment to serve the people of our community.

All the nominees are exemplary physicians and today we celebrate the six winners and the ways that they have improved their patients’ lives while advancing the mission of our ministry.

COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD

Sudeep Kukreja, MD, a highly regarded neonatologist, has earned numerous accolades over his decades-long medical career, but what stands out is his commitment to service. As the founder of the nonprofit Arpan Global Charities, Dr. Kukreja has organized 26 volunteer medical missions to dozens of countries, including Armenia, Puerto Rico and Tanzania. His most recent medical mission was to Vietnam, and he has an upcoming mission to India. Dr. Kukreja’s commitment to our global community has inspired fellow physicians, surgeons, nurses and pharmacists to join him to provide vital care. His actions reinforce how service can transform a team and hospital.
 

CULTURE & TEAMWORK AWARD

Sami Hamamji, MD, has impacted the lives of thousands of patients as an accomplished bariatric surgeon. Highly respected and known for his clinical expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence, Dr. Hamamji sets an example for many across the hospital. Equally admirable is his relationship with nurses, surgical staff, and service lines. Caregivers are drawn to work with him because of his professional, kind, and collaborative attitude. He cares about our staff, appreciates the opportunity to teach and train, and radiates a spirit of camaraderie that extends from the OR to patients’ bedsides.
 

CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

Robert Naraghi, MD, is known locally and nationally for his exceptional skill, tenacity, generosity and advocacy for patients seeking kidney and pancreas transplantation. Over the last 25 years, he has performed more than 2,500 kidney transplants and more than 300 pancreas transplants. Dr. Naraghi joined St. Joseph Hospital as Primary Transplant Surgeon and Medical Director in 2020, leading the kidney transplant center through exponential growth, ultimately driving our patient survival rates to be among the highest in the nation. His expertise is reinforced by the transplant center’s recent recognition as the #1 Rated Kidney Transplant Program in California. And he oversaw the center’s recent designation as a multi-organ transplant program, elevating our hospital to a new tier.
 

LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARD

Brian Lee, MD, is a steadfast, dedicated, and devoted member of our medical staff. His drive for continuous improvement sets a standard that inspires everyone around him. Dr. Lee holds himself and his colleagues to the highest levels of performance, whether it’s collaborating with fellow physicians, hospital leadership, or front-line nursing staff. His passion for delivering exceptional care is widely recognized. Known for his support and commitment, Dr. Lee has developed a reputation for giving 150% in all that he does. His dedication to emergency medicine is only surpassed by his unrelenting love of St. Joseph Hospital, recently serving as a Physician Champion for the SJO Foundation last year.
 

MEDICAL STAFF LEADERSHIP AWARD

John Cross, MD, co-recipient of this award with Peter Smethurst, MD, is a dedicated anesthesiologist at St. Joseph Hospital. His passion and commitment to our mission and to the Sisters of St. Joseph are what earned Dr. Cross this award. As chief of staff, Dr. Cross showed a drive and commitment to collaboration, bringing the hospital’s executive leadership team into conversations with medical staff and the board of directors to ensure consistent growth and improvement while maintaining a positive environmental for all. Dr. Cross is a natural leader who goes above and beyond to advocate for the hospital, including traveling to Sacramento to speak with lawmakers about issues affecting our hospital.

MEDICAL STAFF LEADERSHIP AWARD

Peter Smethurst, MD, award co-recipient with Dr. Cross, is a close partner of our leadership team as one of our critical care intensivists. As the immediate past chief of staff, he similarly engaged with staff officers and the medical executive committee to support the growth and improvement of the hospital. When Dr. Elaine Lee went out on maternity leave, Dr. Smethurst stepped in to serve as interim chief medical officer and provide support so that all teams could continue to operate at full capacity. His drive and deep competency make him an invaluable leader, relied on for a myriad of roles from donor engagement to devil’s advocate when necessary. He fulfills every role with integrity and honesty, and we’re honored to have him on our team.

Congratulations to these six honorees and to the below nominees who have demonstrated exceptional skill, innovation, and leadership. We’re grateful for all of you and the work you do for your patients, team members, and for the St. Joseph Hospital community that relies on you to advance our mission and vision – thank you.

2025 Nominees Community Partner Award 

Thomas C. Kim, MD

Sudeep Kukreja, MD

Michael Malouf, MD

Brian Palafox, MD

Aisha Simjee, MD

Culture & Teamwork Award 

Jooby Babu, MD

Jason Caberto, MD

Sami Hamamji, MD

Brian Kolski, MD

Dan Vu, MD

Clinical Excellence Award 

Aaron Fowler, MD

Thuy Le, MD

John Maurice, MD

Robert Naraghi, MD

Mahmood Razavi, MD 

Leadership Excellence Award 

Maged Azer, MD

Jack Canton, MD

Brian Lee, MD

Jeffrey Tyler, MD

Tiffany Wu, MD

Medical Staff Leadership Award 

Nikita Bezrukov, MD

John Cross, MD

Amir Ghiassi, MD

Melissa Rudolph, MD

Peter Smethurst, MD

Brian Helleland
Chief Executive
Providence St. Joseph Hospital & 
Orange County/High Desert, South Division