Written in by SCOLI
Pittsburgh, September 5, 2025 — Nitin Agarwal, MD, associate professor of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, and David Fernandes Cabral, MD, assistant professor of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, have been selected as winners of 2025 UPMC Physician Excellence Awards, honoring physicians who have shown outstanding performance in clinical work and patient care at UPMC. Dr. Agarwal won for Early- to Mid-Career Physician Excellence in Clinical Care while Dr. Fernandes Cabral won for New Physician Excellence in Clinical Care. Both were selected from a pool of many outstanding nominees across UPMC who have demonstrated remarkable achievements in their fields.
Dr. Nitin Agarwal: Early- to Mid-Career Physician Excellence
Dr. Agarwal was nominated for his award by numerous UPMC colleagues, including Joseph Maroon, MD, D. Kojo Hamilton, MD, and Dr. Fernandes Cabral. A summary of their comments noted, “Dr. Nitin Agarwal has been nominated by esteemed colleagues for his exceptional contributions to clinical care, education, research, and leadership in neurosurgery. In just five years since completing residency, he has become an Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery and Bioengineering at UPMC, where he serves as Director of Minimally Invasive Spine and Robotics Surgery, Associate Program Director of the Neurosurgery Residency, and Co-Director of the Complex Spine Fellowship. Dr. Agarwal is widely recognized for his surgical expertise, compassionate patient care, and innovative contributions, including founding the Spine Computational Outcomes and Learning Institute (SCOLI) and the UPMC Spine and Scoliosis Patient Support Group. His multidisciplinary work has led to over 50 peer-reviewed publications, development of novel surgical tools, and more than $1.5 million in research funding. A dedicated mentor, he has guided over 50 trainees, established impactful mentorship initiatives, and authored a widely used textbook. His excellence has earned him numerous teaching and mentorship awards, and a departmental honor now bears his name.”
Dr. David Fernandes Cabral: New Physician Excellence
Dr. Fernandes Cabral was nominated for his award by Drs. Maroon and Agarwal. A summary of their comments noted, “Dr. David T. Fernandes Cabral, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at UPMC, is a compassionate and skilled physician whose clinical excellence, selflessness, and dedication to patient care have made a significant impact in a short time. Known for going above and beyond—including assisting in emergencies when not on call and showing deep empathy in complex cases—he leads by example. He has performed complex skull base surgeries with outstanding outcomes and pioneered awake craniotomies at UPMC Mercy. A two-time recipient of the Department’s Teaching Award, Dr. Fernandes Cabral is also a committed educator, mentor, and author, making him an outstanding nominee for the New Physician Excellence in Clinical Care Award.”
Recognition Ceremony
In recognition of their achievements, Drs. Agarwal and Fernandes Cabral will be honored during the 2025 Dr. Loren Roth Quality and Patient Safety Awards Celebration held virtually on October 13.
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