The School of Medicine Alumni Association welcomed 119 new members on Friday, June 3, as students from the Class of 2016 and faculty members were recognized for outstanding achievement.
Chancellor Michael F. Collins reminded the students of the oath they took during their second-year ceremony and the responsibility to their patients and their communities as they leave medical school and begin their careers.
“We have the extraordinary opportunity to hold the hands of our patients during their most difficult moments and some of their happiest,” said Chancellor Collins, after sharing a personal story of being with a patient near the end of her life.
Terence R. Flotte, MD, the Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor of Medical Education, executive deputy chancellor, provost and dean of the School of Medicine, described the graduating class as “phenomenal,” adding that the students are well prepared for residency and beyond. He encouraged them to learn the value of each member of their teams.
As an example, Dean Flotte recognized the tremendous effort made by the faculty and staff to implement the Opioid and Safe Prescribing Training Immersion program in time for this year’s graduating class to benefit from it. He said their work helped students become sound prescribers trained to mitigate the dangers associated with opioid therapy.
Erica Johnson, MD, representative of the school alumni association and member of the Class of 1975, welcomed the class to the association, bringing its numbers to nearly 4,000 strong. She encouraged the students to foster the connections that they’ve made at UMMS and to carry the university’s mission into the field.
“You will soon be swept up in residency and patients and your lives as doctors, but the friendships you’ve formed are invaluable. Don’t let busyness erode those friendships,” said Dr. Johnson, chief of the division of General Internal Medicine at Newton Wellesley Hospital.
During the ceremony, the following awards and recognitions were presented to students:
Chancellor’s Award
Gianna Wilkie
The Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award
presented by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation:
Benjamin Adler
Kristen M. Ettensohn Memorial Award for Medical Excellence
through Advocacy, Art and Athletics:
Kathryn Bailey
Excellence in Public Health Award:
Kathryn Bailey and Rachel Erdil
Gary D. Winzelberg, MD ’74, Memorial Award
James Doolin
Ann Nemitz Memorial Award
Julia Randall and Benjamin Adler
Sarah L. Stone Memorial Award
Jyotsna Mullur
Jacob Brem Pediatric Award
Salim Zerriny
New England Pediatric Society Award
Kathryn Bailey
Marianne Felice Adolescent Health Award
Micaela Atkins
Excellence in Obstetrics and Gynecology Award
Gianna Wilkie
Department of Medicine Award
for Outstanding Performance in Medicine
Kevin O’Day
Department of Medicine Award
for Outstanding Clinical Performance in Medicine
Sarah Quigley
Aaron Lazare Award for Psychiatry
Aylin Sert
UMass Surgical Society Award
for Excellence in Student Clinical Performance
John Kelly
UMass Surgical Society Award
for Excellence in Surgical Education
Jennine Weller
Association of Academic Surgery Student Research Award
Shivani Kumar
Massachusetts Medical Society Scholars
Award for Academic Excellence
Kathryn Bailey
Rebecca Lumsden
Waldo Zamor
Racquel Wells
Department of Neurology Award
for Achievement in the Study of Neurology
Andrew Galica
Department of Neurology Award
for Distinction in the Study of Neurology
Justin Donaghy
American Medical Women’s Association Award |
|
Micaela Atkins |
Rebecca Lumsden |
Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society |
|
Benjamin Adler |
Jennifer Lee |
Gold Humanism Honor Society |
|
Benjamin Adler |
Kelli Paice |
Awards were also presented by students to the following faculty members:
Outstanding Clinical Medical Educators |
|
Mitch Cahan |
Steven Hatch |
Outstanding House Officers |
|
Nichole Cherng |
Greg Leslie |