Tricia Desvarieux, '05, winner of the Alan Van Poznak Award for Excellence in Anesthesiology, with Dr. Antonio Gotto at the 2005 Convocation for Weill Cornell Medical College.
Weill Cornell graduates and faculty were honored at the 2005 Convocation ceremonies, a celebration that awards outstanding graduates, other medical students, faculty and staff for distinguished achievement, dedication to scholarship and research, devotion to teaching or service, or demonstration of exceptional professional qualities. The Medical College Convocation, held May 31 in Uris Auditorium, was officiated by Dr. Antonio Gotto, dean of the Medical College, and Dr. Carol Storey-Johnson, senior associate dean of education.
Clarence C. Coryell Prize in Surgery
Kathleen Meghan Doherty
The Coryell Prize in Surgery is awarded to the student who attains the highest performance in surgery during the third and fourth years.
Clarence C. Coryell Prize in Medicine
Seth Lawrence Sherman
The Coryell Prize in Medicine is awarded to the student having the highest general average in medicine at the end of the third year.
Alfred Moritz Michaelis Prize in Medicine
David Klibansky
The Alfred Moritz Michaelis Prize in Medicine is awarded for "general efficiency" by the Department of Medicine.
Oskar Diethelm Prize for Excellence in Psychiatry
Daniel Jason Zimmerman and Jacob Bennett Kagan
The Oskar Diethelm Prize for Excellence in Psychiatry is awarded to the medical student who has demonstrated exceptional interest and ability in psychiatry through research, clinical activities or scholarly work
Joan Severino Parisi Prize in Internal Medicine
Peter Gar-Jun Chan
The Joan Severino Parisi Prize in Internal Medicine is awarded to the graduating senior who, in the judgment of the faculty, has demonstrated both a warm and caring relationship with patients and a high level of scholastic achievement in internal medicine.
David and Gladys Drusin Memorial Prize
Laura Beth Fanning
The David and Gladys Drusin Memorial Prize recognizes both scholastic achievement in medicine and those intangible human qualities associated with a good physician. Candidates for this prize are recommended by the chairman of the Department of Medicine to the dean of the Medical College at the conclusion of the third year.
Mitchell Spivak Memorial Prize in Pediatrics
Seth Lawrence Sherman
The Mitchell Spivak Memorial Prize in Pediatrics is awarded to the member of the graduating class who has achieved the best record in pediatrics.
Gustav Seeligmann Prize for Efficiency in Obstetrics
Devika Maulik
The Gustav Seeligmann Prize for Efficiency in Obstetrics is awarded to the member of the graduating class who has achieved the best record in obstetrics.
James Moore Scholarship
Brian Thomas Shaffer
The James Moore Scholarship is presented to a student in the graduating class who has excelled in the field of otorhinolaryngology.
Henry C. and Anne Hayworth First Honor Prize
Lily Changchien
The Henry C. and Anne Hayworth First Honor Prize is awarded to the student who has the highest academic standing in the class upon completion of the first year of medical school.
Emily Lavigne Arch, Kaili Temple Dilts, Carina Rizzo Bercovici, Samantha Lynn Heller, and Rebecca Catherine Haines are graduates in the top 10% of their class.
Viola Borkon Memorial Prize
Lily Changchien, Sarah Glick, Roger Hong, Joanna Paladino, and Jenica Upshaw
The Viola Borkon Memorial Prize is awarded annually to the student who has placed at the top of the class for scholastic performance upon completion of the pre-clinical curriculum. There are five winners this year.
George S. Meister Prize in Pediatrics
Minal Patel
The George S. Meister Prize in Pediatrics is given for special achievement in pediatrics to a member of the graduating class selected by the Department of Pediatrics.
Elise Strang L'Esperance Prize in Public Health
Samantha Lynn Heller and Jillian Marie Ciocchetti
The Elise Strang L'Esperance Prize in Public Health is awarded to the woman student in the graduating class who best reflects the attributes and values of Dr. Elise Strang L'Esperance, who graduated from the Women's Medical College of The New York Infirmary for Women and Children in 1901.
T. Campbell Thompson Prize for Excellence in Orthopedic Surgery
Ngozi Ifeoma Mogekwu
The T. Campbell Thompson Prize for Excellence in Orthopedic Surgery is awarded to the member of the graduating class who has shown greatest proficiency in orthopedic surgery. The selection is made by the dean upon the recommendation of the faculty and staff members of the Hospital for Special Surgery.
George G. Reader Prize in Public Health
Timothy Andrew Sanders and Seth Lawrence Sherman
The George G. Reader Prize in Public Health is given to the graduating student who, in the judgment of the Department's faculty, shows the most promise in the field of public health.
Franklyn Ellenbogen Prize in Hematology/Oncology
Kaili Temple Dilts
The Franklyn Ellenbogen Prize in Hematology/Oncology is given to a graduating student who has demonstrated significant evidence of achievement in hematology/oncology.
Society for Academic Emergency Medicine's Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award
Mustapha Saheed
The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine's Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award is given to the student who has demonstrated outstanding proficiency in emergency medicine as selected by the faculty of the Medical College.
G. Thomas Shires II Prize in Surgery
Meredith Anne Kato
The G. Thomas Shires II Prize in Surgery is awarded to the graduating medical student who exemplifies the qualities of an academic surgeon interested in patient care, science, and education.
Alan Van Poznak Award for Excellence in Anesthesiology
Tricia Desvarieux
The Alan Van Poznak Award for Excellence in Anesthesiology recognizes exceptional achievement in anesthesiology.
Richard N. Kohl Prize for Excellence in Psychiatry
Kwame Sarpong Akowuah and Julie Gedden
The Richard N. Kohl Prize for Excellence in Psychiatry, made upon the recommendation of the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry, is given to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated the greatest proficiency in psychiatry.
Charles Horn Prize
Mustapha Saheed
The Charles Horn Prize is awarded to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership and service to the medical community.
Gustave J. Noback Memorial Prize in Anatomy
Joshua Ian Levinger
The Gustave J. Noback Memorial Prize in Anatomy is given to a student who has performed outstanding work in the field of anatomy, as chosen by the director of the program in gross anatomy.
Weiss Prize for Excellence in Clinical Medicine
Alda Maria Osinaga
The Weiss Prize for Excellence in Clinical Medicine is given to the member of the graduating class, who, in the opinion of a committee chaired by Dr. Harvey Klein and including the chairman of the Department of Medicine, best exemplifies the qualities necessary for the attainment of outstanding bedside clinical competence in the field of internal medicine.
Glasgow-Rubin Memorial Achievement Citations
Emily Lavigne Arch, Carina Rizzo Bercovici, Kaili Temple Dilts, Rebecca Catherine Haines, and Samantha Lynn Heller
The American Medical Women's Association presents the Glasgow-Rubin Memorial Achievement Citations to those female students who graduate in the top 10% of their class.
Dr. Antonio Gotto and Dr. Charles Bardes present Dr. Philip Leopold (center) with the Charles L. Bardes, M.D. Teaching Prize.
Arthur Palmer Prize for Efficiency in Otorhinolaryngology
Joshua Ian Levinger
The Arthur Palmer Prize for Efficiency in Otorhinolaryngology is given to the student in the graduating class who has the best record in otorhinolaryngology.
Herman L. Jacobius Prize in Pathology
Abner Louissaint Jr.
The Herman L. Jacobius Prize in Pathology is awarded to the student in the third- or fourth-year class, who, in the opinion of the Department of Pathology, merits recognition for the highest scholastic attainment and outstanding performance in pathology.
Medical Society of the State of New York Award
Minal Patel
The Medical Society of the State of New York recognizes a graduating student at each medical school in the state for outstanding community service, whether related or unrelated to the field of medicine.
Yvette and Seymour Feil Prize in Medicine
Sean Patrick Lynch
The Yvette and Seymour Feil Prize in Medicine recipient is chosen by the Department of Medicine's chairman and faculty, and approved by the Office of the Dean. The student selected will pursue a career in internal medicine, and will demonstrate the exceptional qualities of a gifted physician including compassion, caring, and the pursuit of scientific knowledge.
William C. Thro Memorial Prize
Rebecca Catherine Haines
The William C. Thro Memorial Prize is awarded to the student who achieves the best record in the pathophysiology course.
Endocrine Society Award
Raymond Soccio
The Endocrine Society Award is given to a graduating senior from each U.S. medical school that has shown special achievement and interest in the general field of endocrinology.
Barbara Schmalzriedt Gast Memorial Fund for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Laura Beth Fanning
The Barbara Schmalzriedt Gast Memorial Fund for Rheumatoid Arthritis recognizes a graduate or medical student involved in the area of rheumatoid arthritis.
Sarah O'Laughlin Foley Prize in Clinical Medicine
Jessica Brenna McCannon
The Sarah O'Laughlin Foley Prize in Clinical Medicine recipient is selected by the chairman of the Department of Medicine for excellence in clinical medicine.
Jay Lawrence Award for Clinical Proficiency in Infectious Diseases
Zandraetta Tims-Cook
The Jay Lawrence Award for Clinical Proficiency in Infectious Diseases is awarded to a student who has demonstrated excellence in clinical infectious diseases.
Edward Norton Prize in Ophthalmology
Grace Sun
The Edward Norton Prize in Ophthalmology is given to the graduating medical student who, in the judgment of the chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology, has most clearly demonstrated excellence in ophthalmology, or a genuine interest in a career in the field.
E. Darracott Vaughan, Jr. Prize
Ingride Richardson
The E. Darracott Vaughan, Jr. Prize is presented to a candidate interested in pursuing a career in urology, who demonstrates exceptional promise.
William J. Ledger Prize in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Jacqueline Danielle Saitta
The William J. Ledger Prize in Obstetrics and Gynecology is awarded annually to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated an affinity for, and an interest in, the field of obstetrics/gynecology.
Dean William Mecklenburg Polk Prize
Sophia Mae Edwards Bennett and Aton Mordechai Holzer
The Dean William Mecklenburg Polk Prize awards research submitted to the Student Research Prize Competition.
Dean's Research Award
Rebecca Diane Riba and David Klibansky
The Dean's Research Award is given to matriculated students in any class for excellence in clinical research work.
Dr. Gotto with Dr. Daniel Lerner, the proud recipient of the Richard A. Herrmann, M.D. Teaching Award and the Elliot Hochstein Teaching Award.
Alan von Kreuter Cancer Research Prize
Rebecca Diane Riba
The Alan von Kreuter Cancer Research Prize is awarded to a medical student for outstanding research in the basic mechanisms of cancer and related diseases.
Gustavo Cudkowicz Memorial Prize in Immunobiology
Carina Rizzo Bercovici
The Gustavo Cudkowicz Memorial Prize in Immunobiology is awarded by the Student Research Committee for outstanding research in immunobiology.
Henry Adelman Memorial Award for Excellence in Geriatric Medicine
Laura Fanning
The Henry Adelman Memorial Award for Excellence in Geriatric Medicine is given annually to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated excellence in clinical and academic performance, research accomplishments, and extracurricular work in the field of geriatrics over the four years of medical school.
Dr. Harold Lamport Biomedical Research Prize
Valaine Bernadette Hewitt
The Dr. Harold Lamport Biomedical Research Prize is given by the Student Research Committee for a thesis reporting original biomedical research. The prize is awarded to a medical student who is a candidate solely for an M.D. degree.
Sondra Lee Shaw Memorial Prize
Daniel Jason Zimmerman
The Sondra Lee Shaw Memorial Prize is 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.
Harold G. Wolff Research Prize
Neal Luther
The Harold G. Wolff Research Prize is given to the medical student who has completed the most outstanding piece of original research in the neurological or behavioral sciences.
Paul Sherlock Prize in Internal Medicine
Jessica Brenna McCannon
The Paul Sherlock Prize in Internal Medicine is presented to the graduating student who is pursuing a career in internal medicine and who has demonstrated exceptional integrity and compassion in caring for patients, as exemplified by Dr. Sherlock.
John Metcalf Polk Prizes
Raymond Soccio, Seth Lawrence Sherman and Carina Rizzo Bercovici
The John Metcalf Polk Prizes are the highest scholastic honors a student can achieve at Weill Cornell Medical College. They are given to the three students who placed at the top of the class for scholastic performance throughout medical school.
Good Physician Award
Aton Mordechai Holzer
The Good Physician Award is awarded to that member of the graduating class who, by vote of the class, best exemplifies the intangible qualities of the "Good Physician."
Leonard P. Tow Humanism Awards
Dr. Jeffrey Milsom and Jessica Brenna McCannon
The Leonard P. Tow Humanism Awards are presented to recognize and honor one faculty member and one graduating student who demonstrate the highest standard of compassion and sensitivity in their interaction with patients.
Class of 1952 Resident Physician Prize
Dr. Caroline Mah
The Class of 1952 Resident Physician Prize, by vote of the graduating class, is given to a NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital resident physician who has demonstrated excellence in and dedication to the instruction of medical students.
House Staff Teaching Award
Dr. Jonathan Bress
The House Staff Teaching Award honors the Weill Cornell-affiliated house officer who best demonstrates clinical excellence and dedication to teaching.
The Senior List
The Senior List was established by the Class of 1994 to recognize 16 faculty members who have made a commitment to and demonstrated excellence in teaching.
Charles Bardes, M.D.
Professor of Clinical Medicine
Ilya Bialik, M.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Director of Alumni Relations Adee Shepen and Class of 2005 president Mustapha Saheed present the class gift to the Medical College.
Morton Bogdonoff, M.D.
Professor Emeritus of Medicine
M. Michael Eisenberg, M.D.
Professor of Surgery
Domenick Falcone, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Pathology
Lyuba Konopasek, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Leah Lande, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Daniel Lerner, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Veronica LoFaso, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Jeffrey Milsom, M.D.
Professor of Surgery
Estomih Mtui, M.D.
Associate Professor of Clinical Anatomy
Mark Pecker, M.D.
Professor of Clinical Medicine
Eduardo Perelstein, M.D.
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
Soula Priovolos, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery
Abraham Sanders, M.D.
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine
David Silbersweig, M.D.
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
First-Year Teaching Award
Dr. Estomih Mtui
The First-Year Teaching Award is presented by the Medical Student Executive Council to a faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in teaching in the basic science courses.
Second-Year Teaching Award
Dr. Mark Pochapin
The Second-Year Teaching Award is given by the second-year class for excellence in teaching.
Clinical Faculty Award of Alpha Omega Alpha
Dr. Christopher Barley
The Volunteer Clinical Faculty Award of Alpha Omega Alpha, recommended by the graduating class and selected by student members of the AOA chapter, is given to a voluntary faculty member who effectively and generously donates his time, skill, and experience to teach clinical skills.
Charles L. Bardes, M.D. Teaching Prize
Dr. Philip Leopold
The Charles L. Bardes, M.D. Teaching Prize is awarded annually to a member of the faculty, who, in the opinion of the prize committee, has been an outstanding teacher at the Weill Cornell Medical College, demonstrating leadership, dedication, and concern for the students.
Richard A. Herrmann, M.D. Teaching Award
Dr. Daniel Lerner
The Richard A. Herrmann, M.D. Teaching Award is given to an outstanding teacher in the third year, and is chosen by vote of the third-year class.
Elliot Hochstein Teaching Award
Dr. Daniel Lerner
The Elliot Hochstein Teaching Award is given to the faculty member who best exemplifies compassion, skill and distinction as a physician and teacher by a vote of the graduating class. The recipient will be listed on the permanent plaque in the Wood Library.
Photos by Janet Charles.