2018 Student Awards Ceremony
OFFICE OF STUDENT AFFAIRS AWARDS
The Contribution to BUSM Community Award is presented to a fourth-year medical student or students whose willingness to offer services to the school is significant and greatly benefits those around them. This year’s recipient is: Ariel Porto
The Medical School Student Prize is awarded annually to the student, “who has exemplified professionalism, empathy, and compassion to patients and who has raised the standard of medical care that students provide to patients.” Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Emily Kemper
The Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Student Award is presented to the graduating medical student who best demonstrates the Gold Humanism Foundation’s ideals of outstanding compassion in the delivery of care, respect for patients, their families, and healthcare colleagues. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Saikrishna Kugabalasooriar
The Henry J. Bakst Award in Community Medicine was established in memory of Dr. Bakst, long a proponent of quality health care for the handicapped. It is given to the graduating student who exemplifies the qualities of that Dr. Bakst represented, including sensitivity to the needs of people, an understanding of the disease process, and an awareness of community resources. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Alexandra Solomon
The Michael L. J. Apuzzo Prize Fund for Creativity and Innovation is awarded to a student who exemplifies creativity and innovation in his or her schoolwork. It is presented on behalf of Dr. Apuzzo (BUSM ’65). Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Pamela Huang
The William E. Kahn and Albert B. Kahn, Jr. Award is presented annually to a top student or students enrolled at the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Natalie Tukan
The Jacob Swartz Award from the Class of 1981 is presented to a graduating student who best exemplifies the qualities of Dr. Jacob Swartz, a past associate dean of admissions, who sought to provide opportunities for underrepresented students. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Brenda Garcia
The Merck Manual Award is presented to outstanding students in medical sciences. BUSM is proud to have four recipients this year. Congratulations to Ryan Morgan, Nishant Shah, and Natalie Tukan
The Wein Student Research Award is given to a graduating student for their significant contribution to cancer research. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Steven Vernali
The William F. McNary, Jr. Award from the Class of 1991 is presented to a fourth-year student in good academic standing, who best exemplifies the spirit of leadership and service to the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. This McNary recipient has earned the respect of his or her peers through quiet acts of leadership and strives to foster service, good will and excellence among classmates. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Bradley Zehr
The Dean Eleanor Tyler Memorial Award is given annually by the College of Arts and Sciences to the outstanding fourth-year medical students who fulfilled their premedical requirements through the “Six-Year/Seven-Year” Liberal Arts-Medical Education Program. Congratulations to this year’s recipients: Nishant Dwivedi, Aaron Kaufman and Kevin Wong
The Sidney Cooperband Award was established in March 1979 by faculty, friends and his family as a tribute to the late Dr. Sidney Cooperband. The memorial fund’s purpose is to honor a student who shows outstanding promise as a researcher in basic sciences. Congratulations this year’s recipient: Thomas Shin
The Christopher G. Gaposchkin Award was established in 2002 by the wife, family and friends of Dr. Christopher G. Gaposchkin (BUSM ’94) to honor him as a promising neurosurgeon, because his contributions to medicine were never fully realized. This award is given to the graduating student who has excelled in their studies, exudes warmth and compassion for patients and colleagues, and who demonstrates a passion for teaching and advancing the field of medical science. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Emily Kemper
Julie Prize Fund in Nutrition is presented to a student who has made an outstanding contribution in nutritional research. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Rainjade Chung
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARD
The Alumni Association Award is presented to a graduating student(s) who is/are in good academic standing and has/have contributed to Alumni Association initiatives. Congratulations to Adam Johnson and Anoop Ravilla
BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER STUDENT PRIZE
The Boston Medical Center Prize is awarded to the student who excelled in all of the eight core clerkships of the third year (surgery, medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, neurology, selective and family medicine) and who demonstrated outstanding humanistic qualities exemplifying the ideals of excellence in clinical medicine. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Orly Leiva
ANESTHESIOLOGY AWARD
The Robert Slater MD Prize in Anesthesiology is presented to a graduating student who graduates with honors in Anesthesiology and Pulmonary Physiology. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Pamela Huang
DERMATOLOGY AWARD
The Peter E. Pochi, MD, Award for Excellence in Dermatology is given to the student with an interest in dermatology as a career who exemplifies the attributes and qualities as displayed by Dr. Pochi (BUSM ’55). With this award, we salute Dr. Pochi and the student chosen who has demonstrated excellence in dermatology. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Edward Bae
EMERGENCY MEDICINE AWARD
The Society of Academic Emergency Medicine Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award is offered annually to each medical school in the United States. It is awarded to the senior medical student at each school who best exemplifies the qualities of an excellent emergency physician, as manifested by excellent clinical, interpersonal, and manual skills, and a dedication to continued professional development leading to outstanding performance on emergency medicine rotations. Congratulations to Sarah Carpenter
FAMILY MEDICINE AWARDS
The Family Medicine Leadership Award is presented to a fourth-year medical student who demonstrates outstanding leadership and a high level of commitment to promoting the ideals of Family Medicine. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Helen Jin
The Family Medicine Research Award is presented to a fourth-year medical student planning a career in Family Medicine who demonstrates outstanding achievement in research and scholarship. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Lisa Bullard Voltarelli
The Thomas T. Gilbert MD Award for Excellence in Family Medicine is presented to a graduating student in recognition of academic excellence at BUSM. The award is in honor of Thomas Gilbert, MD, MPH, a retired family physician who exemplifies the commitment to service and excellence of family physicians in this country. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Laura Igarabuza
The Timothy J. Pollard Humanism Award in Family Medicine is presented to an outstanding fourth year medical student who demonstrates the humanistic qualities that embody the ideals of Family Medicine. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Saikrishna Kugabalasooriar
MEDICINE AWARDS
The Internal Medicine Award is given to graduating medical students for their excellence in Internal Medicine by the faculty of the Department of Medicine. Congratulations to this year’s recipients: Joseph Hodgkin, Orly Leiva and Theresa Timmes
The Eli Shapiro Award was established by the Department of Medicine and is given to the graduating medical student who best exemplifies the qualities of the late Dr. Eli Shapiro: exceptional competence, medical curiosity, devotion to patients, continual education and extraordinary compassion. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Lucy Flynn
The Dr. Samuel and Helen Poplack Student Award was established in memory of Dr. Samuel L. Poplack, an alumnus and father of three graduates of Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. It is designated for the student who demonstrates both superior clinical competence and excellence in patient care. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Travis Forney
NEUROLOGY AWARDS
The American Academy of Neurology Medical Student Award is presented to a graduating student who has achieved overall academic excellence in Neurology and who plans to take Neurology residency position. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Jessica Ng
The Robert G. Feldman, MD, Prize in Neurology is given to the graduating medical students who has exhibited compassion, humanism, and excellence in the application of neuroscience to the care of patients with neurological disease and who plans to pursue a career in neurology, neurosurgery, or the neurosciences. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Melissa Rethana
NEUROSURGERY AWARD
Edward L. Spatz, MD, Award for Excellence in Neurosurgery is presented annually to a fourth year medical student who excels in Neurosurgery and demonstrates the characteristics of Dr. Edward Spatz: honesty, gentleness, and compassion, while treating everyone with the same kindness, respect, and dignity. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Luke Silveira
OB/GYN AWARDS
David Rothbaum, MD, Award in Obstetrics and Gynecology is awarded to an outstanding graduating student who has demonstrated superior academic achievement in obstetrics and gynecology and shown compassion and understanding towards patients. It is presented in honor of Dr. Rothbaum (BUSM ’82). Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Pooja Shah
The Benjamin Tenney Prize in Obstetrics and Gynecology was established in 1980 by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and its alumni and the family of Dr. Benjamin Tenney. The prize is awarded to the graduating medical student who has demonstrated both superior academic achievement in obstetrics and gynecology and has shown compassion and understanding toward patients. Congratulations to: Nicole St. Omer Roy
The Kenneth C. Edelin Prize in Obstetrics and Gynecology is awarded to the graduating student(s) who, in the opinion of the faculty, has demonstrated superior academic achievement in obstetrics and gynecology has compassion and understanding towards patients, and an interest in minority health care. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Monique Meade
OTOLARYNGOLOGY AWARD
The Diana Radkowski Prize Fund is given to a graduating medical student in honor of Diana Radkowski, MD (BUSM ’87), a gifted otolaryngologist committed to taking care of children with otolaryngologic diseases. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Alexandra Belcastro
PATHOLOGY AWARDS
The Geoffrey Boughton Award is presented to an outstanding student in Pathology in honor of Dr. Boughton (BUSM’54). Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Bradley Zehr
The Leonard and Julius Gottlieb Prize in Pathology Education is awarded to a member of the graduating class who has excelled in pathology. This award was established in 2008 by Mrs. Dorothy Gottlieb in honor of her late husband Leonard and his father Julius. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Natalie Rizzo
PEDIATRICS AWARDS
The Excellence in Pediatrics Award is granted to a student graduating from Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine with the qualities of an extraordinary future pediatrician. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Ariel Porto
The Pauline Millstein Family Fund Award was established by Arnold Baskies, MD (BUSM ’75), in the memory of his grandmother, Pauline Millstein, who dedicated her life to children. This award is given to the graduating student who excels in Pediatrics. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Katelin Blackburn
The New England Pediatric Society Award is presented annually to the member of the graduating class entering pediatrics who best exemplifies those qualities sought in a pediatrician: a competent, caring, good-humored person whom we would want to take care of our children. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Tara Neary
The Stephen Preblud Memorial Award for Pediatrics was established by the Boston University Department of Pediatrics. Stephen R. Preblud, MD was a leader in the field of childhood disease prevention and was committed to improving the quality of life for people around the world. The award is given to the student of the graduating class who best exemplifies the competency and outstanding characteristics of Dr. Stephen Preblud (BUSM ’79). Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Nikita Saxena
PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOPHYSICS AWARD
The Anthony L.F. Gorman Prize in Physiology is given annually in honor of Dr. Anthony Gorman to an outstanding student in physiology. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Jana Florian
PSYCHIATRY AWARDS
The Dr. David R. Iverson Student Award is awarded to the fourth year medical student who has excelled in psychiatry and who has exhibited Dr. Iverson’s outstanding personal qualities: sensitivity, compassion, and devotion to the needs of others. It is presented on behalf of Dr. Iverson (BUSM ’68). Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Andrew Hyatt
The Ruth Hunter Johnson Prize is presented annually to students training in the field of Psychiatry. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Ray Leslie
The William Malamud Prize Fund is awarded annually to the fourth-year medical student who best grasps the basic science of psychiatry. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Hannah Burley
The John M. Murray Prize is awarded annually to the graduating student(s) for the best four-year performance in psychiatry with special attention to the clinical work and any elective work that the student(s) might have undertaken. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Susan Kim
RADIOLOGY AWARD
The John F. O’Connor, MD, Radiology Award is presented in recognition of outstanding performance in diagnostic radiology, on behalf of Dr. O’Connor (BUSM ’57). Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Daniel Adran
SURGERY AWARDS
Dora Savenor Memorial Prize for Excellence in Surgery is awarded yearly to a student who is entering a residency in General Surgery or a surgical subspecialty and who achieved the best final score during the third year surgical clerkship. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Ryan Morgan
The Masakichi and Mitusuko Itabashi Award is awarded to a graduating student with outstanding interest in oncology and oncological research. This award was named in honor of the parents of Hideo Itabashi, MD (BUSM ’54), both of whom fostered and encouraged education as the road to man’s fulfillment. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Thomas Shin
The Richard Elkort Award is given to the fourth-year student who best exemplifies the man for whom the award was established, a surgeon-oncologist who was committed to cancer research and to better understanding the role of nutrition in the prevention and management of cancer. He was well known for his dedication to his patients and his love of people and life. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Antoine Ribieras
Anne and David Mishel Cancer Research Award was established to recognize the medical student who has most distinguished himself or herself in the area of cancer research or in unusually empathetic and compassionate care of cancer patients and is presented in memory of both Anne and David Mishel. Congratulations to this year’s recipient: Aditya Sengupta
The Peter J. Mozden, MD, Cancer Award is presented annually to a student in the graduating class who has demonstrated special empathy and interest toward the patient with cancer or who has performed exceptionally during a clinical or research elective in oncology. It is presented on behalf of Dr. Mozden (BUSM ’53). This year’s recipient is Ryan Morgan
Richard J. Shemin, MD, and Saul Shemin, DVM, Academic Surgical Award is presented to a graduating student(s) in recognition of academic excellence in surgery and great promise for an academic surgical career. Dr. Shemin established this award in memory of his father’s mentorship and the education he received at Boston University. This year’s recipients are Kevin Arndt and Matthew Peacock