Erin Reich, left, and Eric Dawson, right, talk with Lee Limbird, Ph.D., before they received their Ph.D. degrees in Pharmacology. (photo by Dana Johnson)
Students’ efforts awarded
Twenty-five students from the graduating medical school class and one faculty member were honored at the annual Class Day for the School of Medicine held Thursday, May 10.
Andrea Tania Cruz and Yasmine S. Ali received three awards and Sister Mary Diana Dreger, Julie A. Boyd and Matthew L. Busam, and Sunita Iyengar received two each. Faculty member Dr. Michael R. Rodriguez, associate professor of Medicine, was also recognized with an award.
Graduating medical student James B. McGehee III was honored with The Geoffrey David Chazen Award. This award for innovation in medical education recognizes a student, resident, fellow or faculty member who has made special contributions to the educational programs of the VUSM through the development and implementation of effective innovation in educational approach.
The School of Medicine Award of Distinction was presented to Holly E. Rawizza and Kellie A. DeLozier for demonstrating outstanding qualities of leadership and humanitarian service.
The Dean's Award went to two medical school graduates, Kevin J. Joseph and Jennifer A. Wambach. The Dean's Award honors the medical student or students distinguished by outstanding contribution of leadership and service.
Samir M. Parikh was presented The Kaufman Prize in Medicine, an award honoring J. Kenneth Kaufman, M.D. ‘39, and given to a graduating medical student who has demonstrated qualities of humaneness, dedication and unselfish service in the study of medicine and who will apply these qualities in medical practice.
The David R. Freedy Memorial Award was given to William B. Burnette. The award was established to honor the memory of David Richard Freedy, a member of the Class of 1993, who died of cancer. It is given to the student who has demonstrated qualities of leadership, exceptional courage and perseverance in the face of adversity and has been dedicated to improving and promoting community life.
Cheryl D. Riddle and Julie A. Boyd were presented the Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Award, which is presented to women medical students who are honor students and lead their class in academic distinction.
Four students received the Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Achievement Citation, which is presented in recognition of the accomplishments of women medical students who graduate as honor graduates. It serves to reaffirm the American Medical Women's Association's commitment to encouraging their continuing achievement.
The recipients were Yasmine S. Ali, Sister Mary Diana Dreger, Sunita Iyengar and Laura Stobie Winterfield.
A graduating student and a faculty member, who demonstrate compassion and empathy in the delivery of health care and who engender trust and confidence in both their patients and colleagues while adhering to professional ethical standards, were honored with The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey Humanism in Medicine Award. Student Sister Mary Diana Dreger and Dr. Michael R. Rodriguez, associate professor of Medicine, received the award.
The John G. Coniglio Prize in Biochemistry is awarded to a medical student who has distinguished himself or herself in Biochemistry. Accomplishments in biomedical research and performance in Biochemistry courses are considered in evaluating candidates for this award. This award was established by friends of Professor Coniglio upon his retirement to honor his many contributions to medical education at Vanderbilt. This year's recipient was Larry J. Bischof.
Graduating medical students James D. Chappell and Gregory S. Jack received the John L. Shapiro Award for Excellence in Pathology. The award, which recognizes outstanding student performance in pathology, is given annually, or otherwise, depending upon action by the department of Pathology. The award honors the memory of Dr. John L. Shapiro, who was professor and chairman of the department of Pathology from 1956 to 1971.
The Amos Christie Award, which recognizes the student in the graduating class who demonstrates the outstanding qualities of scholarship and humanity embodied in the ideal pediatrician, was presented to Andrea T. Cruz. The award is in memory of Dr. Amos Christie, who was professor and chairman of the department of Pediatrics from 1943 to 1968.
Andrea T. Cruz also received the Canby Robinson Society Award. This award is presented to a member of the graduating class (nominated by the fourth-year class) who possesses those intangible qualities of common sense, knowledge, thoughtfulness, personal warmth, gentleness and confidence which combine to make the "Ideal Doctor"…the person fellow classmates would most like to have as their personal physician.
The Hospital Award of Excellence, which recognizes the fourth-year medical student who has contributed the most toward excellent patient care by demonstrating sensitivity, compassion and concern in clinical responsibilities to patients at VUMC, was given to Matthew L. Busam. This award is voted on by the chief residents of all the services.
The Award for Excellence in Emergency Medicine, given on behalf of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, was presented to Tyler W. Barrett. The award recognizes a medical student for outstanding clinical performance in the Emergency Department at VUMC.
Three students were honored with The Albert Weinstein Prize in Medicine. Established in memory of Dr. Albert Weinstein, the award is given to the fourth-year student who has demonstrated high scholastic attainment and qualities, which characterize the fine physician. The award was shared by Yasmine S. Ali, Cheryl Denise Riddle and Matthew Hunter Wilson.
The Rudolph H. Kampmeier Prize in Medicine was awarded to Julie Alicia Boyd. The award is presented by the department of Medicine to the student who is judged by the faculty of the department to have exhibited the qualities of the excellent physician as exemplified by Dr. Kampmeier throughout his career.
Matthew L. Busam received the Surgical Clerkship Award, which is presented by the Section of Surgical Sciences to a student who has shown superior performance in the third-year surgical clerkship and who plans to enter graduate education in surgery.
The H. William Scott, Jr. Prize in Surgery was given to Jason J. Schrager. This award is presented to the graduating medical student who exemplifies the qualities of leadership, performance and character reflecting the ideal surgeon.
The Beauchamp Scholarship, which is endowed and awarded to the student showing the greatest progress in the field of psychiatry, was presented to Chad S. Peterson.
Graduating student, Andrea T. Cruz received The Merck Award for Excellence in Infectious Diseases, an award which is presented annually by the divisions of Infectious Diseases in the departments of Medicine and Pediatrics to the student who has demonstrated outstanding aptitude and performance in clinical and investigative efforts in infectious diseases or microbiology.
The Orthopaedic Surgery Clerkship Award was presented to Matthew L. Busam. The award is given by the department of Orthopaedic Surgery to the student who has excelled in both the third- and fourth-year orthopaedic clerkships and who has demonstrated outstanding potential in the field of orthopaedic surgery.
The Tom Nesbitt Award is presented by the Nashville Academy of Medicine and Davidson County Medical Society in recognition of the service and contribution of Dr. Tom Nesbitt, as a member and 133rd president of the American Medical Association. Nesbitt is an assistant clinical professor of Urology. The award is given to the graduating medical student who demonstrates exemplary character and leadership. The recipient this year was Yasmine S. Ali.
John A. van Doorninck was given the Diabetes/Endocrine Research Award. This award is given to the graduating student who has performed the most meritorious research related to diabetes and endocrinology. The award was established in honor of Dr. Oscar Crofford, professor of Medicine, by his colleagues and friends to honor his leadership and distinguished service in diabetes research.
Amy E. Shaw received the Endocrine Society Award for Excellence in Clinical Endocrinology. This award is presented annually by the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes to the graduating medical student who demonstrates outstanding performance in clinical endocrinology. The award is sponsored by the Endocrine Society, founded in 1916, and the world's largest professional association devoted to all aspects of endocrinology.
The Lonnie S. Burnett Award in Obstetrics and Gynecology was given to Kristina L. Storck. The award is given to the student demonstrating superior performance and who exemplifies the qualities of dedication, leadership, compassion and integrity in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.
Sunita Iyengar received the Paula C. Hoos Award. The Class of 2003 presents this award in recognition of teaching excellence in the anatomy laboratory and to express its sincere appreciation for the assistance of members of the graduating class.