The fifth annual Department of Family and Community Medicine awards dinner, held Monday, May 13, celebrated the successes of its faculty, staff and students over the past year.
Elisabeth Young, M.D. (’85), vice president for health affairs and dean of the College of Medicine, joined with John Boltri, M.D., professor and chair of family and community medicine, to kick off the evening in Cook Alumni Hall.
Following the reception and welcome by Dean Young and Dr. Boltri, this year’s award recipients were announced.
See the full list of recipients below:
Student Awards and Scholarship
Area Health Education Center Student Service Award
Stephen Grossi
This award recognizes a medical student who is actively pursuing a career in primary care, preventive medicine or enrolling in a public health graduate program and who meets the ideals related to serving the medically underserved.
John P. Schlemmer, M.D., Memorial Family Medicine Award
Angadpal Batra
This award recognizes a graduating student who has demonstrated the qualities of being a caring and compassionate physician, who has shown a strong commitment to family medicine and the further development of the specialty, and who has made a special contribution to family medicine.
Medical Ethics and Humanities Student Award
Lillian Hetson
This award distinguishes a student who demonstrates excellence in reflective practice and knowledge in humanities and ethics through the Human Values in Medicine curriculum; is committed to humanism at the bedside and within the community; and applies a genuine dedication to the study and appreciation of ethics in clinical practice, education and research.
Frank H. Krautter, M.D., Geriatric Research Award
Lindsey Rinker
This award recognizes a graduating medical student who has demonstrated an aptitude and a strong interest in aging-related research.
Outstanding Students in Geriatrics Award
Albert Manudhane and Lillian Hetson
This award recognizes a graduating medical student who has demonstrated exemplary leadership, knowledge, and skill in the holistic and compassionate care of older adults.
Outstanding Students in Palliative Care Award
Monzer Haj-Hamed and Ayah El-Khatib
This award recognizes a graduating medical student who has demonstrated the qualities of being a caring and compassionate physician and embraces the ideals of palliative care.
Ross R. Black II, M.D., Endowed Family Medicine Scholarship
Allen Liew
This scholarship recognizes a student who is entering a NEOMED-affiliated family medicine residency program and has demonstrated leadership and involvement in the Family Medicine Interest Group, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians, or related service activities.
Rural Medical Education Pathway Scholars
First Year:
- Cooper Johnson
- Jordan Johnson
- Troy Kotsch
- Jenna Link
- Cyrus Mirhaidari
- Nicholas Osborne
- Scott Schmuki
Second Year:
- Erin Burrier
- Timothy Fischer
- Jennifer Glover
- Stephen Grossi
- AuBree LaForce
- Emily Meyers
- Ashley Claire Pajela
Third Year:
- Renee Brumbaugh
- Thomas Weiner
- Laura Lininger
- Laura Yeater
M4 Rural Mentors:
- Megan Bennett*
- Alexander Brown
- Sophia Kunkle*
*Matched in Family Medicine
Faculty Awards
Area Health Education Faculty Excellence Award
Margaret Sanders, M.A.
This award recognizes a faculty member who has provided excellence in improving the availability of health care professionals and enhanced access to quality health care through academic and community collaboration, focusing on underserved areas.
Community Volunteer Family Medicine Teaching Award
Deb Gargiulo, M.D.
This award recognizes a volunteer faculty member/preceptor who provides excellent learning experiences for students and is an exemplary role model in family medicine
Family Medicine Interest Group Volunteer Faculty Award
Deborah Plate, D.O.
This award recognizes a faculty member/preceptor who has volunteered at multiple Family Medicine Interest Group events, is an exemplary role model to students and demonstrates excellence in teaching.
Foundations of Clinical Medicine Course Excellence in Teaching Award
Lora Wyss, Ph.D.
This award recognizes a faculty member who makes substantial and sustained contributions to the educational mission through superior teaching in the Foundations of Clinical Medicine course, inciting students’ learning excellence, inspiring colleagues, and invigorating the course over an extended period of time.
Peter Burg Faculty Award for Excellence in Geriatrics
Yoleetah Ilodi, M.D.
This award recognizes a faculty member/preceptor who is an exemplary leader, inspirational teacher, mentor to students and colleagues, and a superior role model for excellence in geriatrics.
Peter Burg Faculty Award for Excellence in Palliative Care
Paul Lecat, M.D.
This award recognizes a faculty member/preceptor who is an exemplary leader, inspirational teacher, mentor to students and colleagues, and a superior role model for excellence in palliative care.
Medical Ethics and Humanities Faculty
Sister Carolyn Capuano
This award recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in teaching; contributes to innovative curricular development; serves as a role model for faculty and students; contributes to faculty development; and serves as a mentor and advisor to students.
Rural Pathway Service Excellence Award
The Alliance Community Care Network Team, Aultman Alliance Community Hospital
This award recognizes a community/faculty member(s) who is dedicated to the NEOMED Rural Medical Education (RMED) Pathway’s mission to foster ingenuity and life-long learning in RMED students and support their goals to become excellent physicians in rural areas.
SOAR Student-Run Free Clinic Medicine Preceptor of the Year Award
Paul Lecat, M.D.
This award recognizes a dedicated SOAR Student-Run Free Clinic Medicine Preceptor who has demonstrated a strong commitment to the education of SOAR medical students by going above and beyond to identify teaching opportunities for students. This preceptor exemplifies the mission of SOAR through their commitment to the underserved and to education.
SOAR Student-Run Free Clinic Pharmacy Preceptor of the Year Award
Kenneth Furdich, Pharm.D.
This award recognizes a dedicated SOAR Student-Run Free Clinic Pharmacy Preceptor who has demonstrated a strong commitment to the education of SOAR pharmacy students by going above and beyond to identify teaching opportunities for students. This preceptor exemplifies the mission of SOAR through their commitment to the underserved and to education.
Internal Department Awards
DFCM Educational Excellence Award
Margaret Sanders, M.A.
This award recognizes a faculty member who has developed new innovative curricula or educational experiences; is highly regarded as a mentor and role model for students; excels in faculty development; and serves as a mentor to junior faculty.
DFCM Research and Innovation Award
Rebecca Fischbein, Ph.D.
This award recognizes a faculty member who has initiated innovative projects; has submitted/acquired new grants; is highly collaborative; and has published in quality journals.
DFCM Outstanding Department Service Award
Denise Kropp
This award recognizes a member of the staff who is an excellent ambassador for the department, goes beyond assigned responsibilities to help others, and significantly contributes to the goodwill within the department.