At this year's convocation ceremonies, held May 28 in Uris Auditorium, special achievement awards were presented to students and faculty of Weill Medical College. At the ceremonies, which preceded Commencement, the Class of 2003 presented a check for $1,223.62 to the Medical College, which was matched by the Cornell University Weill Medical College Alumni Association.
Student Awards
Coryell Prize in Surgery (awarded to the student who attains the highest performance in surgery during the third and fourth years): Bryan Burt
Coryell Prize in Medicine (awarded to the student with the highest general average in medicine through the third year): Julie Kaufmann
With Dean Gotto are the Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Award winner Julie Kaufmann (far left) and the winners of the Glasgow Citations: Catherine Johnson; Sarah Levin; Beth Preminger; Jessica Pena; and Rebecca Wolf.
Alfred Moritz Michaelis Prize in Medicine (for "general efficiency" in the Department of Medicine): Rebecca Keith
Oscar 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): Steven Balt
Joan Severino Parisi Prize in Internal Medicine (awarded to the graduating senior who has demonstrated a warm and caring relationship with patients and a high level of scholastic achievement in internal medicine): Jessica Peña
David and Gladys Drusin Memorial Prize (awarded to a student to recognize both scholastic achievement in medicine and those intangible human qualities associated with a good physician): Nancy Lange
Mitchell Spivak Memorial Prize in Pediatrics (awarded to the graduating student who has achieved the best record in pediatrics): Stephanie Perlman
Gustav Seeligmann Prize for Efficiency in Obstetrics (awarded to the graduating student who has achieved the best record in obstetrics): Bryan Burt
James Moore Scholarship (awarded to the graduating student who has excelled in otorhinolaryngology): Jeffrey Liu
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): Seth Sherman
George S. Meister Prize in Pediatrics (awarded to the graduating student who has demonstrated special achievement in pediatrics): Stephanie Perlman
Elise Strang L'Esperance Prize in Public Health (awarded to the female 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 Myers
T. Campbell Thompson Prize for Excellence in Orthopedic Surgery (awarded to the graduating student who has shown the greatest proficiency in orthopedic surgery): Anna Vergun
George G. Reader Prize in Public Health (awarded to the graduating student showing the most promise in the field of public health): Jonathan Lee-Melk
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): Michelle Roach
Franklyn Ellenbogen Prize in Hematology/Oncology (awarded to the graduating student who has demonstrated the greatest proficiency in hematology/oncology): Rafaz Hoque
Alan Van Poznak Award for Excellence in Anesthesiology (awarded to recognize exceptional achievement in anesthesiology): Jonathan Glass
Richard N. Kohl Prize for Excellence in Psychiatry (awarded to the graduating student who has demonstrated the greatest proficiency in psychiatry): Mallay Occhiogrosso
Charles Horn Prize (awarded to the graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership and service to the medical community): James Tauras
Gustave J. Noback Memorial Prize in Anatomy (awarded to a student who has performed outstanding work in anatomy): Kirana Gudi
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): George Comas
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): Jason Fish
Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Award (awarded to the female who graduates first in her class): Julie Kaufmann
Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Achievement Citations (awarded to those female students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their class): Catherine Johnson, Sarah Levin, Julie Myers, Jessica Peña, and Beth Preminger
The Arthur Palmer Prize for Efficiency in Otorhinolaryngology (awarded to the graduating student with the best record in otorhinolaryngology): Jeffrey Liu
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): Shantanu Agrawal
Faculty named to the Senior List for 2003 with Dean Gotto.
The Herman L. Jacobius Prize in Pathology (awarded to a third- or fourth-year student for the highest scholastic attainment and outstanding performance in pathology): Alexandros Polydorides
The Medical Society of the State of New York Award (awarded to a graduating student in recognition of outstanding community service, whether related or unrelated to the field of medicine): Russell Nord
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): Rahul Deo
The Faith Stewart-Gordon Prize for Excellence in Rehabilitation Medicine (awarded to the student who has demonstrated a sincere interest in physical medicine and rehabilitation and shows the most promise to excel in that field): Maureen Tyson and Danique VanDongen
The Ralph I. Poucher Prize for Proficiency in Obstetrics and Gynecology (awarded to a graduating female student for proficiency in obstetrics and gynecology): Isabel Green
The William C. Thro Memorial Prize (awarded to the student who achieves the best record in the pathophysiology course): Bryan Burt
The George Ladas Prize for Efficiency in Gynecology (awarded to the senior medical student who has demonstrated the greatest proficiency in gynecology): Laurie Kane
The Endocrine Society Award (awarded to a graduating senior from each U.S. medical school who has shown special achievement and interest in the general field of endocrinology): Jason Fish
The Barbara Schmalzriedt Gast Memorial Fund for Rheumatoid Arthritis (awarded to a graduate or medical student involved in the area of rheumatoid arthritis): Chad Marsden
The Robert M. Lintz Prize for Efficiency in Rheumatic Diseases (awarded to a member of the graduating class for achievement in rheumatic diseases): Richard Do
The Jay Lawrence Award for Clinical Proficiency in Infectious Diseases (awarded to a student who has demonstrated excellence in clinical infectious diseases): Maria Duda
The Anthony Seth Werner, M.D. Memorial Prize (awarded to a member of the graduating class for excellence in the study of infectious diseases): Bradford Hoppe
The Harry L. Bush Jr., M.D. Award for Excellence in Vascular Biology (awarded annually to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated critical investigation and significant achievement in any of the diverse disciplines encompassing vascular biology from the molecular level. The award is based on written submission of independent critical analysis of experimental, clinical or published data in an area of vascular biology): Manmeen Kaur
The David Clayson Prize for Creativity (awarded "to that 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"): Heather Tauschek
The Frederick M. Brown, M.D. Award for Allergy and Immunology (awarded to the medical student who shows the most proficiency and/or creativity in the field of allergy and immunology): Katherine Hisert
The Edward Norton Prize in Ophthalmology (awarded to the graduating medical student who has most clearly demonstrated excellence in ophthalmology, or a genuine interest in a career in the field): Amy Schefler
The E. Darracott Vaughan Jr. Prize (awarded to a candidate interested in pursuing a career in urology, who demonstrates exceptional promise): Joshua Stern
Mr. Tauras with the winner of the Class of 1952 Resident Physician Prize, Dr. Leah Lande.
Dean William Mecklenburg Polk Prize: David Shih and Eric Strauss
Dean's Research Awards (awarded to matriculated students in any class for excellence in clinical research): Michelle Denburg and Amy Schefler
Gustavo Cudkowicz Memorial Prize in Immunobiology (awarded by the Student Research Committee for outstanding researc in immunobiology): Bradford Hoppe
Alan von Kreuter Cancer Research Prize (awarded to a medical student for outstanding research in the basic mechanisms of cancer and related diseases): Jason Fish
The Dr. Harold Lamport Biomedical Research Prize (awarded to an M.D. degree candidate by the Student Research Committee for a thesis reporting original biomedical research): Bryan Burt
Louis Gibofsky Memorial Prize (awarded by the Student Research Committee to the medical student who submits the best research paper in nephrology, dialysis, transplantation, or immunobiology): Joshua Stern
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): Christian DiPaola
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): Annie Wu
The Paul Sherlock Prize in Internal Medicine (awarded to the graduating student who is pursuing a career in internal medicine and who has demonstrated exceptional integrity and compassion in caring for patients): Kirana Gudi
The John Metcalf Polk Prizes (awarded to three students who place at the top of the class for scholastic performance throughout medical school): Julie Kaufmann, Sarah Levin and Julie Myers
The Good Physician Award (awarded to the graduating student, who, by vote of the class, best exemplifies the intangible qualities of the "Good Physician"): George Comas
The Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award (formerly known as The Healthcare Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award, this award is given to one faculty member and one graduating student who demonstrate the highest standard of compassion and sensitivity in their interaction with patients): Julie Myers (student recipient) and Dr. Soula Priovolos, assistant professor of clinical surgery.
In addition, James Tauras, this year's Medical College student speaker, was presented with a special award in recognition of his service as a leader in student government.
Teaching Awards
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; by vote of the graduating class): Dr. Leah Lande
The 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; by vote of the graduating class): Dr. Gil Weitzman
The Senior List (established by the Class of 1994 to recognize faculty members who have made a commitment to and have demonstrated excellence in teaching): Drs. Charles Bardes, associate professor of clinical medicine; Philip Barie, professor of surgery and professor of public health; David Berlin, instructor in medicine; Susan Bostwick, assistant professor of pediatrics; William Curry, clinical assistant professor of surgery; Byron Demopoulos, associate professor of medicine; Lewis Drusin, professor of clinical public health and professor of clinical medicine; Mark Edgar, associate professor of clinical pathology and laboratory medicine; Domenick Falcone, the Thomas H. Meikle, Jr. Associate Professor of Medical Education, associate professor of pathology and laboratory medicine, and professor of cell and developmental biology; Joseph Lane, professor of orthopaedic surgery; Richard Lent, associate professor of clinical pathology and laboratory medicine; Veronica LoFaso, assistant professor of medicine; Carlyle Miller, clinical instructor in medicine; Estomih Mtui, associate professor of clinical anatomy in neurology and neuroscience; Mark Pochapin, associate professor of clinical medicine; and Sorana Segal-Maurer, clinical assistant professor of medicine.
First-Year Teaching Award (by vote of the first-year class): Dr. Estomih Mtui, associate professor of clinical anatomy in neurology and neuroscience.
Second-Year Teaching Award (by vote of the second-year class): Dr. Mark Pochapin, associate professor of clinical medicine.
Volunteer Clinical Faculty Award of Alpha Omega Alpha (awarded to a voluntary faculty member who effectively and generously donates his or her time, skill and experience to teach clinical skills): Dr. Carlyle Miller, clinical instructor in medicine.
The Richard A. Herrmann, M.D. Teaching Award (awarded to an outstanding teacher in the Third Year; by vote of the third-year class): Dr. Morton Bogdonoff, professor emeritus of medicine.
The Charles L. Bardes, M.D. Teaching Prize (awarded to a member of the faculty, who has been an outstanding teacher demonstrating leadership, dedication and concern for the students):
Dr. Jason Kendler, assistant professor of medicine.
The Elliot Hochstein Teaching Award (awarded to a faculty member who, like Dr. Elliot Hochstein, exemplifies compassion, skill and distinction as a physician; by vote of the graduating class): Dr. Morton Bogdonoff, professor emeritus of medicine.
Photos by Richard Lobell.