At Convocation ceremonies preceding Commencement on May 24, awards for special achievement were presented to students and faculty of Weill Medical College. In addition, the Class of 2001 presented their Class Gift to the Medical College, a check for $2,000, which was matched by the Alumni Association.
Recipients of the John Metcalf Polk Prize, awarded to the three students who place at the top of the class for scholastic performance over all four years, with Dean Antonio Gotto: (from left) Robin Vora, Jay Raman, and Poorab Sangani.
Student Awards
Coryell Prize in Surgery (awarded to the student who attains the highest performance in surgery during the third and fourth years): Eric Gordon
Coryell Prize in Medicine (awarded to the student with the highest general average in medicine at the end of the third year): Juliet Brause
Alfred Moritz Michaelis Prize in Medicine (for "general efficiency" in the Department of Medicine): Andria Cardinalli-Stein
Oskar Diethelm Prize for Excellence in Psychiatry (awarded to the student who has demonstrated exceptional interest and ability in psychiatry through research, clinical activities or scholarly work): Carrie Zinaman Ernst
Joan Severino Parisi Prize in Internal Medicine (awarded to the graduating senior who has demonstrated a warm and caring relationship for patients and a high level of scholastic achievement in internal medicine): Jhanelle Rhoden
David and Gladys Drusin Memorial Prize (awarded to a student at the end of the third year to recognize both scholastic achievement in medicine and the intangible human qualities associated with a good physician): Rotonya McCants
Mitchell Spivak Memorial Prize in Pediatrics (awarded to the graduating student who has achieved the best record in pediatrics): Sarah Johnson
Gustav Seeligmann Prize for Efficiency in Obstetrics (awarded to the graduating student who has achieved the best record in obstetrics): Qing Liu
James Moore Scholarship (awarded to the graduating student who has excelled in otorhinolaryngology): Chandra Ivey
Viola Borkon Memorial Prize (awarded to the student who has placed at the top of the class for scholastic performance upon completion of the pre-clinical curriculum): Sarah Levin
George S. Meister Prize in Pediatrics (awarded to the graduating student who has demonstrated special achievement in pediatrics): Judit Saenz-Badillos
Elise Strang L'Esperance Prize in Public Health (awarded to the woman graduating student who best reflects the attributes and values of Dr. L'Esperance, who served on the faculty of Cornell University Medical College for more than 40 years and with her sister, May Strang, founded the Strang Cancer Prevention Clinics and The New York Infirmary in memory of their mother): Julie Clark
T. Campbell Thompson Prize for Excellence in Orthopedic Surgery (awarded to the graduating student who has shown greatest proficiency in orthopedic surgery): Anil Ranawat
George G. Reader Prize in Public Health (awarded to the graduating student(s) showing the most promise in the field of public health): Carrie Zinaman Ernst and Sarah Snelgrove
Winner of the Good Physician Award, David Hass, with Dean Gotto.
G. Thomas Shires II Prize in Surgery (awarded to the graduating medical student who exemplifies the qualities of an academic surgeon interested in patient care, science and education): David Rodin
Franklyn Ellenbogen Prize in Hematology/Oncology (awarded to the graduating student who has demonstrated significant achievement in hematology/oncology): Michael Shiloh
Alan Van Poznak Award for Excellence in Anesthesiology (awarded to recognize exceptional achievement in anesthesiology): Faith Reeves and Jill Morganstern
The Richard N. Kohl Prize for Excellence in Psychiatry (awarded to the graduating student who has demonstrated the greatest proficiency in psychiatry): Michael Stern
Charles Horn Prize (awarded to the graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership and service to the medical community): James Slover
Barbara Schmalzriedt Gast Memorial Fund for Rheumatoid Arthritis (awarded to graduating student(s) involved in the area of rheumatoid arthritis): Francine Samuels (Class of 2002) and Nadine Lettman (Class of 2002)
Gustave Noback Memorial Prize in Anatomy (awarded to a student who has performed outstanding work in anatomy): David Canes
Gustave J. Noback Memorial Fund for Advanced Study and Teaching in the Field of Anatomy (awarded to help meet the needs of young men and women entering the field of anatomy): Jordan Winter
Weiss Prize for Excellence in Clinical Medicine (awarded to the graduating student who best exemplifies the qualities necessary for the attainment of outstanding bedside clinical competence in the field of internal medicine): David Hass
Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Award sponsored by the American Medical Women's Association (awarded to the woman who graduates first in her class): Stephanie Mick
Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Achievement Citations sponsored by the American Medical Women's Association (awarded to female students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their class): Denise Marciano, Carrie Zinaman Ernst and Andria Cardinalli-Stein
The Arthur Palmer Prize for Efficiency in Otorhinolaryngology (awarded to the graduating student who has the best record in otorhinolaryngology): Jeffrey Wise
Anthony Seth Werner, M.D., Memorial Prize (awarded to a graduating student for excellence in the study of infectious diseases): Michael Shiloh
Moselle and Milton Pollack Prize in Medical Ethics (awarded to the medical student who has demonstrated exceptional interest and ability in the field of medical ethics): Bethany Gentilesco
Presentation of the Class Gift, a check for $2,000, which was matched by the Alumni Association: (from left) James Slover, president of the Class of 2001; Dean Gotto; and Dr. Paul Miskovitz, '75, president of the Cornell University Weill Medical College Alumni Association.
The Herman L. Jacobius Prize in Pathology (awarded to the third- or fourth-year student for the highest scholastic attainment and outstanding performance in pathology): William Savage
Medical Society of the State of New York/Community Service Award (awarded to a graduating student in recognition of outstanding community service, whether related or unrelated to the field of medicine): Judit Saenz-Badillos
Yvette and Seymour Feil Prize in Medicine (awarded to a graduating student who will pursue a career in internal medicine and who demonstrates the exceptional qualities of a gifted physician, including compassion, caring and the pursuit of scientific knowledge): Rebecca Miksad
David Clayson Prize for Creativity (awarded to a student completing the third year of medical school who has best demonstrated the ability to balance ongoing involvement in the creative process with the rigors of a medical education): Dr. Diane McLean
The Ralph I. Poucher Prize for Proficiency in Obstetrics and Gynecology (awarded to a graduating woman student for proficiency in obstetrics and gynecology): Julie Clark
The Robert M. Lintz Prize for Efficiency in Rheumatic Diseases (awarded to a graduating student for achievement in rheumatic diseases): Marcus Williams
The Sondra Lee Shaw Memorial Prize (awarded by the Student Research Committee to the student who has produced an outstanding research paper in the field of neurology, pharmacology related to the nervous system, or behavioral science): Maura Ryan
The William C. Thro Memorial Prize (awarded to the student who achieves the best record in the pathophysiology course): Jules Cohen
The George Ladas Prize for Efficiency in Gynecology (awarded to the senior medical student who has demonstrated the greatest proficiency in gynecology): Victor Rosenberg
The Harold G. Wolff Research Prize (awarded to the medical student who has completed the most outstanding piece of original research in the neurological or behavioral sciences): Jordan Winter
The E. Darracott Vaughan Jr. Prize (awarded to a candidate interested in pursuing a career in urology who demonstrates exceptional promise): Jay Raman
Student Leadership Awards (presented to students in recognition of their service as leaders in student government): Daniel Goldin, Jill Zimmer and James Slover
Paul Sherlock Prize in Internal Medicine (awarded by vote of the graduating class to a student pursuing a career in internal medicine who has demonstrated exceptional integrity and compassion in caring for patients, as exemplified by the late Dr. Sherlock, who was a member of the Class of 1954 and a respected member of the faculty): Andria Cardinalli-Stein
By vote of the graduating class, Dr. Byron Demopolous (right) received the Elliott Hochstein Teaching Award, presented by class president James Slover.
The John Metcalf Polk Prizes (awarded to the three students who place at the top of the class for scholastic performance throughout medical school): Jay Raman, Poorab Sangani and Robin Vora
The Good Physician Award (awarded to the graduating student who, by vote of the class, best exemplifies the intangible qualities of the "Good Physician"): David Hass
Healthcare Foundation Humanism in Medicine Awards (awarded to one faculty member and one graduating student who demonstrate the highest standard of compassion and sensitivity in their interaction with patients): Julie Clark (student recipient) and Dr. Ilya Bialik, clinical assistant professor of pediatrics
Student Research Awards
Dean William Mecklenburg Polk Prize: Juliet Brause
Dean's Research Awards (awarded to matriculated students in any class for excellence in clinical research work): Judit Saenz-Badillos and William Savage
Gustavo Cudkowicz Memorial Prize in Immunobiology (awarded by the Student Research Committee for outstanding research in immunobiology): William Savage
Alan von Kreuter Cancer Research Prize (awarded to a medical student for outstanding research in the basic mechanisms of cancer and related diseases): Judit Saenz-Badillos
Louis Gibofsky Memorial Prize (awarded by the Student Research Committee for the best research paper in nephrology, dialysis, transplantation or immunobiology): David Rodin
Teaching Awards
Elliot Hochstein Teaching Award (awarded by vote of the graduating class to the faculty member who best exemplifies compassion, skill and distinction as a physician and teacher): Dr. Byron Demopolous, assistant professor of medicine.
Volunteer Clinical Faculty Award of Alpha Omega Alpha (awarded by vote of the graduating class to a voluntary faculty member who effectively and generously donates his time, skill and experience to teach clinical skills): Dr. Martin Nydick, clinical associate professor of medicine.
Charles L. Bardes, M.D. Teaching Prize (awarded to a faculty member who has been an outstanding teacher at the Medical College, demonstrating leadership, dedication and concern for the students): Dr. Morton Bogdonoff, professor emeritus of medicine.
Among those receiving teaching awards were these faculty who are shown with Dean Gotto: Drs. Estomih Mtui, Morton Bogdonoff, Martin Nydick, Domenick Falcone, Dean Gotto, Mark Pecker, Byron Demopoulos, Charles Bardes, Ilya Bialik, George Martin, Marcus Reidenberg and Mark Pochapin.
Class of 1952 Resident Physician Prize (awarded to a NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital resident physician who has demonstrated excellence in, and dedication to, the instruction of medical students): Dr. Hooman Yaghoobzadehm (medicine)
House Staff Teaching Award (established by the Class of 1990 and the Alumni Association to honor the Weill Cornell-affiliated house officer who best demonstrates clinical excellence and dedication to teaching): Dr. Timothy Dutta (medicine)
First-Year Teaching Award (by vote of the first-year class): Dr. Domenick Falcone, the Thomas H. Meikle Jr. Associate Professor of Medical Education, associate professor of pathology, and associate professor of cell biology and anatomy
Second-Year Teaching Award (by vote of the second-year class): Dr. Mark Pochapin, associate professor of clinical medicine
Richard A. Herrmann, M.D. Teaching Award (awarded to an outstanding teacher in the third year by the vote of the third-year class): Dr. Ilya Bialik, clinical assistant professor of pediatrics.
Senior List (established by the Class of 1994 to recognize faculty members who have made a commitment to and demonstrated excellence in teaching):
Drs. Charles Bardes, associate professor of clinical medicine
Ilya Bialik, clinical assistant professor of pediatrics
Morton Bogdonoff, professor emeritus of medicine
John Carew, assistant professor of otorhinolaryngology
Byron Demopoulos, assistant professor of medicine
Domenick Falcone, the Thomas H. Meikle, Jr. Associate Professor of Medical Education, associate professor of pathology, and associate professor of cell biology and anatomy
William Ledger, professor and chairman emeritus of obstetrics and gynecology
Thomas Maack, professor of physiology and biophysics, and professor of physiology in medicine
George Martin, associate professor of clinical medicine
Carlyle Miller, clinical instructor in medicine
Estomih Mtui, assistant professor of anatomy in neurology and neuroscience
Paulo Pacheco, assistant professor of medicine
Mark Pecker, professor of clinical medicine
Mark Pochapin, associate professor of clinical medicine
Marcus Reidenberg, professor of pharmacology and professor of medicine
Joseph Stavola, associate professor of clinical pediatrics