2015 New Faculty Teaching Award

Each year the Department of Anesthesia recognizes exemplary contributions to teaching in anesthesia, pain medicine or critical care medicine by those who have recently joined the department. Recipients quickly prove themselves to be inspirational clinical and professional role models to their trainees and demonstrate courtesy, compassion and overall dedication to the education of fellows, residents and students. 

Dr. Neilesh Soneji completed a fellowship in chronic pain management at Toronto Western Hospital in 2013 and has since served as a staff member there. In a short time Dr. Soneji has proven himself to be an exemplary teacher in the fields of chronic pain and anesthesia. He currently serves as the site lead for the coordination of Grand Rounds and has developed a mentorship program to connect residents with staff in order to assist residents in the development of their grand rounds presentations.

Dr. Soneji’s approachable and encouraging manner has been appreciated by many of his students. Residents and fellows have found Dr. Soneji’s patience and insight to be invaluable contributions to their medical education. As a recent graduate of the program, Dr. Soneji has a unique insight into the most important topics for current residents and he has used this insight to make the best use of opportunistic teaching of his students in both the operating room and the classroom. He has been praised by his colleagues for his particular talent of bringing out the best in each student by pushing leaners to improve while maintaining a positive relationship with those learners. As such, Dr. Neilesh has proven that he benefits his students as both a teacher and mentor.

On the contributions that Dr. Soneji has recently made to teaching, Dr. Anuj Bhatia writes: “I have been informed on many occasions by our residents and fellows that Dr. Soneji is invested in their learning, takes time to teach, is approachable and always available to mentor in any way he can. He has also delivered presentations on anesthesia and chronic pain to educate anesthesia assistants, nursing staff, and physical therapists at TWH. As a physician in chronic pain, his compassion and bedside manner are an excellent example for our medical students, residents, and fellows. He is patient-centered in his approach, kind and empathetic in his dealings with patients and colleagues alike.”

Given the significant impact that he has had on his students and colleagues in such a short time, it is with great pleasure that the Department of Anesthesia has presented the 2015 New Faculty Teaching Award to Dr. Neilesh Soneji.