$10,000 grant presented to support advanced innovation and training through the Graduate Medical Education Program at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital.
Antoine Soliman, M.D., regional medical director of the Neonatal Network at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, has been honored with the 2025 Munzer Family Award for Excellence in Teaching and Research, a distinction that celebrates clinical leadership and a deep commitment to medical education. Established by Rudolph and Daphne Munzer, the award includes a $10,000 grant to advance innovation and training through the Graduate Medical Education Program at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital.
“For 32 years, the Munzer Family Award has celebrated those committed to advancing medicine, and I’m humbled to join that legacy,” says Dr. Soliman. “When I arrived in Long Beach more than a decade ago, I was surrounded by people deeply passionate about caring for children and families. Looking back, I’m grateful for the mentors and colleagues who helped shape my journey and for the chance to guide others in theirs. My curiosity for learning has never faded, and I live by a principle I share with every graduate and colleague: always choose what’s right over what’s easy.”
Graduate Medical Education, the critical stage after medical school, equips physicians with the advanced skills and judgment needed to practice independently through residency and fellowship programs. At Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, the Graduate Medical Education Program ensures future pediatric specialists are prepared to meet the complex needs of patients and families, particularly in highly specialized areas like neonatal medicine.
Dr. Soliman’s work exemplifies the mission of Graduate Medical Education. Previously serving as medical director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital and now as regional medical director of the Neonatal Network, he has brought decades of expertise to educating pediatric residents and neonatal fellows within one of California’s largest Level IV NICUs. He leads teaching rounds, guiding trainees through the intricate care of extremely preterm and critically ill infants. His mentorship goes beyond bedside instruction, as he guides residents and fellows on research projects focused on neonatal safety, infection prevention, and quality improvement, helping them publish findings that influence care standards nationwide.
Under Dr. Soliman’s guidance, the NICU became nationally recognized for caring for the most fragile newborns, achieving measurable improvements in patient outcomes and safety through innovative quality systems that reduced complications, improved throughput, and lowered operational costs.
“Dr. Soliman’s dedication to advancing neonatal care and education is an inspiration to us all,” says Dan Munzer, president of the Rudolph J. and Daphne A. Munzer Foundation. “His accomplishments reflect the essence of this award, fostering excellence in teaching, research, and clinical care for the most vulnerable patients, creating a lasting impact on the neonatal community.”
Beyond formal instruction, he is known for his open-door approach, always available to answer questions or provide guidance. This accessibility, combined with his gentle yet strong leadership style, has earned him deep respect among colleagues and trainees alike. Many describe him as a mentor who not only teaches medicine but models integrity, empathy, and collaboration—qualities that shape the next generation of clinicians.
“I’d like to thank the Munzer family for serving our Long Beach hospitals for over 40 years,” says Graham Tse, M.D., chief medical officer, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “Pediatrics receives only a fraction of the funding for medical education compared to adult specialties, so we are deeply grateful to all the faculty and care teams who choose the path of children’s health. Thank you, Tony, for your teaching and research, you are truly a transformative leader. Not only does our NICU benefit from your leadership, but so does our entire hospital and the communities we serve.”
Board-certified in both General Pediatrics and Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine, Dr. Soliman is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the California Association of Neonatologists. His research focuses on safety and quality improvement in preterm infant care, noninvasive ventilatory strategies for extremely low birth weight infants, and newborn infectious diseases. He has also been honored as a Physician of Excellence by the Orange County Medical Association and recognized as a Top Los Angeles Doctor by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
Established in 1993, the Munzer Family Award for Excellence in Teaching and Research honors physicians who exemplify clinical excellence and a commitment to advancing medical education. Supported by the Rudolph J. and Daphne A. Munzer Foundation, the award includes a $10,000 grant to further the recipient’s work. Now in its 32nd year, the award highlights the vital role of education and mentorship in shaping the future of medicine.
