The department of neurology at the University of Kansas Medical Center recognized five residents and six fellows during a virtual graduation ceremony June 20.

Graduating residents included:

• Mark Farrenberg, M.D.
• Weston Gordon, M.D.
• Monica Manchanda-Salwan, M.D.
• Joseph Pleen, D.O.
• Yana Nesterenko, M.D.

The following fellows were recognized:

• Prompan Mingbunjerdsuk, M.D. (Clinical neurophysiology)
• Chaitanya Amrutkar, M.D. (Clinical neurophysiology)
• Mark Victor Siwoski, M.D. (Epilepsy)
• Amanda Thuringer, D.O. (Neuroimmunology)
• Swathy Chandrashekhar, M.D. (Neuromuscular medicine)
• David Shirilla, D.O. (Neuromuscular medicine)

In remarks during the ceremony, Gary Gronseth, M.D., chair of the neurology department at KU Medical Center, praised this year's class for its resilience in continuing its education during the pandemic.

"This year, our residents and fellows took care of patients that might have had or did have COVID-19. They had to deal with the fear of catching the disease and taking it home to their families. Then, because suddenly the number of patients decreased, there were less patients for them to see and learn from, so they adapted. They scheduled more didactic teaching sessions and Journal Clubs. This class will be remembered for its resilience, because they really pulled through this very difficult time," Gronseth said. "We're very proud of our graduates. We're very privileged to have been their teachers. We're glad to see all their successes and we're celebrating along with them tonight."

The department also recognized this year's Research Day Award winners during the ceremony. Research Day is an annual event during which residents and fellows present research projects they developed in collaboration with faculty mentors.