NEOMED students shine at 42nd Annual AIPNO Gala and 13th Research Showcase

Northeast Ohio Medical University students represented the College of Medicine with distinction at the 42nd Annual Gala and 13th Research Showcase of the Association of Indian Physicians of Northern Ohio (AIPNO), held on Oct. 4, 2025.

This year’s event brought together medical students, residents and physicians from across the state to celebrate innovation, mentorship and service in medicine. The research showcase featured diverse clinical and translational projects evaluated by a multidisciplinary panel of experts.

Among the evening’s distinguished speakers were NEOMED President Dr. John Langell and Dr. Daniel Simon, president of academic and external affairs and chief scientific officer at University Hospitals. Both emphasized the importance of mentorship, collaboration and research in advancing patient care and community health.

Serving as a cornerstone of the event was Dr. Rupesh Raina, chair of AIPNO’s Board of Trustees and NEOMED’s M4 director, whose leadership continues to foster excellence in clinical research and mentorship. Under his guidance, numerous NEOMED students presented projects addressing kidney disease, clinical informatics and health system outcomes, reflecting the University’s expanding research impact across multiple specialties.

Photo: NEOMED President Dr. John Langell was a speaker at the AIPNO event

Student Award Recipients

Several NEOMED students were recognized for outstanding academic and scholarly achievement.

Fourth-year medical students Shaarav Ghosh and Christopher Mamone each received a 2025 AIPNO scholarship, which recognizes top students at NEOMED, Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic-Lerner who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance, leadership and commitment to the values AIPNO upholds as physicians.

Nafees Sathik (M1) received the prestigious Medical Student Scholarship Award, honoring his academic and research excellence. Sanat Subhash (M2), Rama Safadi (M2) and Nathan Cuttica (M3) were honored with Top Clinical Research Awards for their exemplary presentations and scientific contributions.

Reflecting on the experience of attending the event, second-year student Nicholas Pantelakis shared, “It was an incredible honor to present at AIPNO alongside my peers and mentors. As a research fellow under Dr. Rupesh Raina, I was deeply proud and eternally grateful to represent NEOMED and collaborate with my colleagues Sanat Subhash and Haziq Rabbani [M2] at such a prestigious event. Applying the principles we’ve learned in the classroom to real-world research was profoundly rewarding and has strengthened my commitment to advancing medicine through scholarship and collaboration.”

Congratulations to these students and their mentors for representing NEOMED at the highest level!

- submitted by Sanat Subhash