Bontrager wins Lutheran’s Interprofessional Collaboration Award

Jeff Bontrager, MD, Hospital Medicine, has won the 2026 Interprofessional Collaboration Award, given by Lutheran’s nursing leadership based on nominations submitted by nurses.

The nomination that earned him the award:

“Dr. Bontrager is one of if not the best at bringing the team together. He has a way of coordinating care that is so calm and reassuring. He makes people feel connected. Working with him I have never felt like I was just a nurse; I have felt that I was an equal. While we may not have the same level of education, Dr. Bontrager has always been able to communicate with kindness and understanding. If there is something I don’t understand, he will take the time to educate me. That education is then applied to my practice so that I can make further informed decisions.”

Three other Lutheran physicians also were nominated for the award: Robert Hamilton, MD, Neurology, Courtney Mullins, MD, Hospital Medicine, and Samantha Schapiro, DO, Hospital Medicine.

About the award

The Interprofessional Collaboration Award was created to honor staff who exemplify “We Are Better Together” by breaking down silos and strengthening teamwork across disciplines. Nomination criteria include excellent communication, reliability and bridge-building with other departments. Nursing leadership identifies award winners based on nominations from nurses. This is not a physician-exclusive award; all members of the team, from all departments hospital-wide in any role, are eligible to win.

Congratulations to our winner and physician nominees!