AWARDS

The Medical School has a rich history of honoring its students and faculty for attributes such as outstanding scholarship, achievement or leadership by example. Each year at Commencement, members of the graduating class, and the faculty who have shaped their educational experience, are recognized. We salute the following distinguished list of students and faculty.

• 2009 Commencement Awards
  • Senior Year Award
  • Patrick John Niland Award
• Faculty Awards
  • The American Medical Women's Association Gender Equity Award
  • Elizabeth Crosby Award
  • Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award presented by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation
  • Kaiser-Permanente Awards for Excellence in Teaching
  • Bronze Beeper and Golden Beeper Awards
• Senior Awards
  • Dean's Award for Research Excellence
  • Dean's Commendation for Excellence in Clinical Skills and the Art of Medicine
  • George R. DeMuth Medical Scientist Award for Excellence
  • Ralph M. Gibson Award
  • Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award presented by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation
  • Dr. Jane Skillen Award
  • Andrew J. Zweifler Award for Excellence in Clinical Skills
• Scholastic Awards
  • Glasgow-Rubin Achievement Citations
  • Academic Recognition Awards
  • Academic Achievement Award
• Departmental Awards
  • American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Medical Student Prize for Excellence in Neurology
  • Association for Academic Surgery Student Research Award
  • Roger A. Berg Prize in Radiology
  • C. Gardner Child 3rd Award
  • Terence C. Davies, M.D. Award
  • Albert C. Furstenberg Award
  • Edgar A. Kahn Award
  • William Dodd Robinson Award
  • Eli G. Rochelson Memorial Award
  • SAEM Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award
  • Robert B. Sweet Award
  • William B. Taylor Dermatology Award
  • Harry A. Towsley Award
  • Raymond W. Waggoner Award
  • Warner/Goldberg Women’s Health Program Award for Excellence and Commitment to Women’s Health
  • Wiegenstein Leadership in Emergency Medicine Award
  • J. Robert Willson Award for Outstanding Achievement in Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society

2009 Commencement Awards

Senior Year Award
This award is given each year to the clinical faculty member below the rank of associate professor who, in the opinion of the graduating class, has best upheld the ideals of medical education.  A list of past recipients is displayed in the Learning Resource Center.
            John P. Schmidt, M.D., Assistant Professor, Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases

Patrick John Niland Award
This award is presented in memory of Patrick John Niland, a member of the Class of 1986, who was killed in an automobile accident.  This award was established by the Class of l986 to recognize the important attributes that Pat possessed: a cheerful, friendly demeanor and a patient, honest, and compassionate approach to medicine.  It is given annually to a senior student who, in the eyes of the graduating class, best exemplifies these traits.  This award consists of a certificate; the recipient's name is inscribed on the Patrick John Niland Award Plaque which is displayed in the Learning Resource Center.
           Jessica Tsui

Faculty Awards

The American Medical Women's Association Gender Equity Award
This award honors those faculty members who promote a gender-fair environment for the education and training of physicians and assure equal opportunities for women and men to study and practice medicine.  The selection of the recipient(s) is made by a vote of the school's student body.
           J. Matthew Velkey, Ph.D., Lecturer, Cell and Development Biology

Elizabeth Crosby Award
In honor of Dr. Elizabeth Crosby, the beloved teacher of Neuroanatomy at the University of Michigan Medical School, this award is presented to a faculty member for outstanding teaching of medical students in a basic science area.  The Galens Medical Society selects the recipient of this award.
           Andrew Flint, M.D., Professor, Department of Pathology

Kaiser-Permanente Awards for Excellence in Teaching
Two awards are given each year, one for preclinical teaching and one for clinical teaching.  The recipients are honored for their dedication to quality teaching, enthusiasm for students, and their continuing effort to improve the knowledge and experience of each medical student.  Each recipient has his/her name displayed on a plaque in the Learning Resource Center and receives a certificate and a cash award made possible by a gift from the Kaiser Foundation.
           Thomas H. Sisson, M.D., Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
            Robert W. Lash, M.D., Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine

Bronze Beeper and Golden Beeper Awards
Members of the Galens Medical Society annually recognize the resident physicians viewed as the best teachers, leaders and patient care providers by presenting them with Bronze Beeper awards.  Bronze Beeper awardees are selected by a vote of M3 and M4 Galens members. In conjunction with the University of Michigan Medical Center Alumni Society (MCAS), the Galens also recognize the top male and female vote-getter with another special award: the Golden Beeper.  In addition to this distinction, each Golden Beeper winner receives a $1,500 scholarship courtesy of MCAS.

The 2009 winners of the Bronze Beeper are listed below, with the Golden Beeper winners denoted with asterisks:

Senior Awards

Dean's Award for Research Excellence
This award is given by the faculty to those students who have made outstanding research contributions during their medical school career.
           Wajd Nizar Al-Holou
            Blake V. Fausett

Dean's Commendation for Excellence in Clinical Skills and the Art of Medicine
This award is given to ten percent of senior students, based on top Comprehensive Clinical Assessment (CCA) scores and clinical grades from the required junior clerkships, for outstanding skills in verbal communication with patients, interviewing, counseling, and physical diagnosis.

George R. DeMuth Medical Scientist Award for Excellence
This award honors Dr. George R. DeMuth, the founding Director of the University of Michigan Medical Scientist Training Program.  The award is given to a graduating senior in the University of Michigan Medical Scientist Training Program who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in research and who exhibits the personal and professional qualities desired in the complete physician.
           Scott Arthur Tomlins

Ralph M. Gibson Award
This award honors Dr. Ralph Gibson, a distinguished African American faculty member in the Department of Pediatrics who also served as an Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in the Medical School. Dr. Gibson consistently emphasized the pursuit of academic excellence and demonstrated a concern for all students, their health, welfare, and career development. The award is presented to the senior student(s) who has best demonstrated these same qualities and who has had a dedication to addressing the health disparities experienced by minority and disadvantaged populations in the United States.                
           Jacob Eli Kurlander
           Brita Roy

Dr. Jane Skillen Award
This award honors Dr. Jane Skillen, a 1928 graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School. Dr. Skillen was an Irish immigrant who came to the United States at the age of 16, and worked diligently to support herself and eventually earn her Bachelor’s and M.D. degrees at University of Michigan. Dr. Skillen had a highly accomplished career as a chest surgeon in California. Her achievements stemmed from strength of character and a love of medicine, and her children honor her by establishing this award.
           Derek Edward Dimcheff
           Brita Roy

Andrew J. Zweifler Award for Excellence in Clinical Skills
This is given to a graduating senior who has consistently demonstrated outstanding care and competence in verbal communication with patients, interviewing, counseling, and excellence in physical diagnosis.
           Lindsay Ann Hampson

Scholastic Awards

Glasgow-Rubin Achievement Citations:
Glasgow-Rubin Citations of Achievement are presented by the American Medical Women's Association to those women who graduate with academic distinction from medical schools throughout the country.

Academic Recognition Awards
Academic Recognition Awards are presented to the top five graduates who have excelled academically throughout the four years of their medical education.

Academic Achievement Award
The Academic Achievement Award, on the recommendation of the faculty of the Medical School, is given to the graduating senior who has achieved the highest academic standing in his or her medical school class.  The award is sponsored by the Medical Center Alumni Society.
           Sanjiv M. Baxi

Departmental Awards

American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Medical Student Prize for Excellence in Neurology
This award is given to a graduating medical student who exemplifies outstanding scientific achievement and clinical acumen in neurology or neuroscience, and outstanding personal qualities of integrity, compassion and leadership.
            Kathryn Kvam

Association for Academic Surgery Student Research Award
This award is given by the Association for Academic Surgery to a senior medical student or students who are planning a career n academic surgery and who have done outstanding research while in medical school. This award is based on nominations by the Department of Surgery, and includes a certificate and Candidate membership in the Association for Academic Surgery.
          (No Recipients)

Roger A. Berg Prize in Radiology
This award is given each year to a fourth-year medical student or students for outstanding performance in Radiology.  The award is made possible through a gift from Dr. Roger A. Berg, a University of Michigan Medical School alumnus. 
           Melissa Sue Bosma
           

C. Gardner Child 3rd Award
The career and dedication of Dr. Child, former Chair of Surgery, are honored in this award to a graduating senior or seniors for outstanding performance in the junior clerkship, senior electives, and research in Surgery.
           Samuel Lien

Terence C. Davies, M.D. Award
This award, in honor of the founding Chair of the Department of Family Medicine, is presented to a graduating senior or seniors for clinical and scholarly excellence in family medicine.  These students exemplify the qualities of the outstanding family physician: dedication to patient needs, intellectual curiosity, personal integrity, community service, and leadership.
           Nell Burger Kirst
           David Maurice Lessens

Albert C. Furstenberg Award
This award is given to a medical student for outstanding performance in Otolaryngology.  Scholastic achievement, clinical work, and research efforts are considered in addition to interest in Otolaryngology.
           Stephen Youngjin Kang

Edgar A. Kahn Award
This award is given each year in memory of Dr. Kahn, former Chief of Neurosurgery, to a senior medical student for outstanding performance in clinical or laboratory work in Neurosurgery.
            Wajd Nizar Al-Holou

William Dodd Robinson Award
This award is given by the faculty of the Department of Internal Medicine to a graduating senior or seniors for outstanding performance in the junior medicine clerkship and senior electives in Internal Medicine.  The award honors Dr. William Robinson, Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine from 1958 to 1975.
           Derek Edward Dimcheff
           Brita Roy

Eli G. Rochelson Memorial Award
This award is given for the most outstanding performance in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine by a graduating medical student.  It honors Dr. Rochelson, a pulmonary physician and father of an alumnus of our school.
           Peter Sottile

SAEM Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award
The members of the Department of Emergency Medicine honor a graduating senior for outstanding performance in the specialty of Emergency Medicine.  This award is sponsored by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.
           Kelley Robin Cardeira

Robert B. Sweet Award  
This award is given to a senior medical student who has shown the highest achievement and the greatest potential in the field of Anesthesiology.  The award is in honor of Dr. Robert B. Sweet, the founding Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology.
           Roy Kuniaki Esaki                                      

William B. Taylor Dermatology Award
The faculty of the Department of Dermatology honors a graduating senior medical student for outstanding performance and interest in Dermatology. The award honors Dr. William B. Taylor, a faculty member of the department from 1950 to 1992 and recipient of the National Dermatology Teacher Award.
           Nada M. Elbuluk

Harry A. Towsley Award
This award is given by the faculty of the Department of Pediatrics to a senior student for outstanding performance in the junior Pediatrics clerkship and senior Pediatrics elective.  The award is named in honor of Dr. Harry A. Towsley, a distinguished member of the Department of Pediatrics from 1935 to 1972.
           Zarina Sara Dohadwala

Raymond W. Waggoner Award
This award is given by the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry to a graduating senior for distinguished performance in psychiatry.  This award honors Dr. Raymond W. Waggoner, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry from 1937 to 1969.
          Joseph Robert Perry

Warner/Goldberg Women’s Health Program Award for Excellence and Commitment to Women’s Health
This award is given to a graduating senior or seniors for their excellence and commitment to the ideals of its sponsor, the University of Michigan Center of Excellence in Women’s Health.  It is named for Patricia Warner, Associate Hospital Director, UMHS, and Dr. Edward Goldberg, founding Chief of the Division of Women’s Health, in recognition of their vital roles in the initiation and success of the Women’s Health Program.
           Katharine Bourdet Simmons

Wiegenstein Leadership in Emergency Medicine Award
This award is presented to the graduating medical student who best demonstrates the potential for leadership in emergency medicine, as exemplified by Dr. John Wiegenstein, University of Michigan Medical School Class of 1960, a pioneer in the field of emergency medicine.
           Hangyul M. Chung-Esaki

J. Robert Willson Award for Outstanding Achievement in Obstetrics and Gynecology
The J. Robert Willson Award, in honor of the former Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, is given to a senior student for outstanding performance in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
          Robert Matthew Smith

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society

Alpha Omega Alpha is the only national honor medical society in the world. Its mission is to recognize and perpetuate excellence in the medical profession. To fulfill this role, Alpha Omega Alpha elects outstanding medical students to its ranks. Individual members must have excelled academically and shown promise of becoming leaders in the profession. Candidates are considered from among those whose scholastic qualifications place them in the upper 25 percent of their class. The University of Michigan chapter of AOA was established in 1907.

2009 inductees:

Alexandra Apkarian Sanjiv Baxi Michael Borofsky Stephen Broski Eden Cardozo Derek Dimcheff Zarina Dohadwala Gregory Durm Laura Gadzala Austin Gross Meredith Hall Lindsay Hampson Brian Herbst Alisa Khan

David Lange Karen Maule Stephen McHugh Laurel Mianecki Ariel Palanca Brita Roy Daniel Saddawi-Konefka Terry Shih Katharine Simmons Robert Smith Deepak Somashekar Peter Sottile Caitlin Stork Nicole Webb