Dr. Brad Ardell Spirit Award

Dr. Brad Ardell Spirit Award

The Dr. Brad Ardell Spirit Award was created in 2008, in memory of Dr. Ardell who passed away suddenly during his third year of residency. The award recognizes residents who possess the same "true prairie spirit" as Dr. Ardell, a hard-working, compassionate and selfless individual. Nominations open each fall and the award is announced in the new year.

The 2025 winner of the Dr. Brad Ardell Spirit Award is Dr. Zach Oleynik, a fourth-year-resident in the Orthopedic Surgery program.

Here are some of the reasons Dr. Oleynik was nominated for the award:

"The way Zach practices medicine is both admirable and genuine. There are countless opportunities in residency to cut corners, especially when working in the emergency department, but I have never once witnessed Zach take the easy way out. He consistently puts in the effort to do things the correct way and always acts in the best interests of his patients. I remember being a medical student learning how to cast under his guidance. He explained to me why he always places a stockinette underneath every cast: while it takes more time and effort, it is more comfortable for the patient and results in a higher-quality cast. In his mind, that extra care is absolutely worth it.

Similarly, while it is easy to ask nursing staff or other services to take care of small tasks, Zach often does these himself because he knows it is faster for the patient and better for the system. This includes simple but meaningful actions such as moving patients into rooms, getting them water, or liaising between multiple consultants. As a result, I now practice the same way, and I try to teach our new PGY-1s the same mentality."

"I have heard from multiple patients that they appreciated Dr. Oleynik’s care after visits to the emergency department. When patients are most stressed, they have told me that he is a calming presence. He was able to thoroughly explain their injuries, and he gives them the complete confidence that they are in safe hands. One such patient was seen by Dr. Oleynik in the emergency department after a fracture, and later seen by myself in the holding room before their surgery. The patient specifically asked if Dr. Oleynik would be involved in the surgery, and upon learning he was on a different rotation, was disappointed as they said that they trusted him more than anybody. I coincidentally saw Dr. Oleynik after speaking with the patient, and he took the time to speak with them in holding as well. They told me later that they felt reassured and calm going into their procedure, as knowing the team had the support of somebody so kind and caring surely meant that they must be as well.

Dr. Oleynik’s empathy represents the care that we all strive to provide, and his impact even extends to providing patients with confidence in the entire orthopedic team." "Zach displays honesty and integrity in his work. He is transparent, truthful and openly acknowledging mistakes and taking responsibility when necessary. His decisions are guided by strong ethical principles and always prioritizing what is right over what is convenient. Zach is quite reliable in both his words and actions, persistently following through on commitments and maintaining professionalism in every situation."

Congratulations Dr. Oleynik!