This year, the College of Medicine opted for a change in scenery for its graduating class awards and celebration. The Class of 2019, along with faculty and staff, gathered for a final farewell at Stow Parks and Recreation’s Heritage Barn, in Stow, Ohio, on Wednesday, May 15.
The picnic doubled as a get-together and awards ceremony for the Class of 2019.
This year’s awardees include:
Student Awards
- Class of 2019 Class Speaker - Carl Allamby, M.D. (’19)
- Class of 2019 Gonfalonian - Katherine Stiff, M.D. (’19)
- Diversity Leader Award - Hannah Johnson, M.D. (’19)
- Excellence in Family Medicine Award - Sophia Kunkle, M.D. (’19)
- Excellence in Internal Medicine Award - Brandon Rapier, M.D. (’19)
- Excellence in Obstetrics/Gynecology Award - Kathleen Spitz, M.D. (’19)
- Excellence in Pediatrics Award - Katherine Genet, M.D. (’19)
- Excellence in Psychiatry Award - Kristen Cannon, M.D. (’19)
- Excellence in Surgery Award - Hemant Reddy, M.D. (’19)
Ideal Physician Award
Silas Chao, M.D. (’19); Mohammad-Saad Siddiqui, M.D. (’19); Josiah Smith, M.D. (’19); and Bridget Wilson, M.D. (’19)
Awarded to four students whom peers would most like to have as their own physician, as exemplified through their excellent intellectual and clinical skills, empathy and patient rapport, as well as their diligence and support of fellow classmates.
Matthew Allen Lewis Award for Outstanding Patient Care and Mastery of the Science of Medicine
Devin Walther, M.D. (’19)
Awarded to a senior possessing outstanding communication skills, empathy and compassion with patients and families, plus a high level of technical expertise and skills in the science of medicine.
Outstanding Achievement Award
Katherine Hill, M.D. (’19)
Awarded to a senior based on exemplary academic accomplishments, class rank, and contributions to the College and community.
Service to College of Medicine Award
Lillian Hetson, M.D. (’19)
Awarded to a senior who has significantly contributed time, energies, ideas and support to College of Medicine functions and activities, committees, faculty and staff.
Service to Community Award
Pallavi Sharma, M.D. (’19)
Awarded to a senior who has graciously provided time and support to community service programs, has displayed a caring attitude and is committed to bettering the community.
William H. Falor, M.D. Research Award
Katherine Genet, M.D. (’19), and Paula Rote, M.D. (’19)
Awarded to a senior who has demonstrated pursuit of research projects, presentations and publication of research results.
National Student Awards
Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award
Gretchen Ferber, M.D. (’19)
Presented to a graduating student who is a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society and best demonstrates the Foundation's ideals of outstanding compassion in the delivery of care, respect for patients, their families and health care colleagues, as well as demonstrated clinical excellence.
United States Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Award
Katherine Joyce, M.D. (’19)
The Physicians Professional Advisory Committee (PPAC) of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) awards medicine students with the Excellence in Public Health Award each year.
Both PPAC and USPHS recognizes medicine students who are involved in public health issues in their community as well as increase awareness of the Public Health Service and its mission to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of our Nation.
Faculty Awards and Recognition
Commencement Hooders
- Adarsh Gupta, M.D., clinical professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine
- Carmen Julius, M.D. (’87), associate professor of pathology
- Susan Nofziger, M.D., clinical associate professor of pediatrics
- Dana Peterson, Ph.D., associate professor of anatomy and neurobiology
- David Sperling, M.D. (’85), senior director of clinical experiences and associate professor of family and community medicine
- Daniel Wasdahl, M.D., associate professor of pathology
- Jesse Young, Ph.D., associate professor of anatomy and neurobiology
- Joseph Zarconi, M.D. (’81), senior associate dean for health affairs, professor and chair of internal medicine and clinical director for health humanities education
Faculty members chosen by the Class of 2019 to bestow the doctoral hood over the shoulders of the graduates to signify the professional stature attained by terminal degree during the commencement ceremony
Outstanding Service to the Class Award
Awarded by the senior graduating class to a faculty member and a staff member who provided outstanding service to the student body.
Paul Lecat, M.D.
Professor of internal medicine, pediatrics and family and community medicine
Anita Pokorny, M.Ed.
Assistant dean of students and assistant professor of family and community medicine