Faculty Recognition Awards
Distinguished Faculty Award
The TUSM Distinguished Faculty Award was established in 1991 to recognize faculty members who have made outstanding contributions to Tufts University School of Medicine and have distinguished themselves through teaching, scholarship and service.
Faculty are nominated by their colleagues, evaluated by the Committee on Oversight, reviewed and recommended by a Committee of Distinguished Professors, then selected for the award by the TUSM Dean. To learn more about the criteria and selection process for the Distinguished Faculty Award, please visit the award information page here.
2026 Recipient
- Thomas R. Hedges, III, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology and Neurology
- Thomas J. Stopka, PhD, MHS, Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine
- Julian K. Wu, MD, Professor of Neurosurgery
Teaching Awards
Mark Aisner, MD, Award for Excellence in Teaching Physical Diagnosis
The Mark Aisner, MD Award for Excellence in Teaching Physical Diagnosis was established in 1988 by former students, colleagues, patients, and friends of Mark Aisner, MD in recognition of his distinguished contributions to Tufts School of Medicine as the course director for Physical Diagnosis (1946-1977), and in honor of his prestigious career in education, research, and clinical practice in Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Physiology. The purpose of this award is to foster and enhance the teaching of physical diagnosis at Tufts School of Medicine and at its affiliated hospitals as exemplified by Dr. Aisner throughout his illustrious sixty-five years in medicine.
2026 Recipient
- Nina V. Nardello, DO, South Shore Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Milton O., M30, and Natalie V. Zucker Clinical Teaching Prizes
The Milton O., M30, and Natalie V. Zucker Clinical Teaching Prizes promote and honor excellence in clinical teaching. Two prizes, one for Innovation and one for Accomplishment, are awarded annually to clinical teaching faculty for the purposes of rewarding and recognizing specific faculty for outstanding innovation, accomplishment, and ability to motivate students; and for encouraging all faculty to review those attributes needed to be an effective teacher.
2026 Recipients
- Innovation: Bryan K. Ho, MD, MBA, Tufts Medical Center, Department of Neurology
- Accomplishment: Jonathan “Jody” Schindelheim, MD, Tufts Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry
The Outstanding Core Clerkship Director Award
The Outstanding Core Clerkship Award was created in order to recognize a core clerkship site director who provides students with exemplary leadership in the clerkship. The awardee is recognized by students for excellence in teaching, responding to their suggestions and feedback, and for being an outstanding role model for professionalism and ethical behavior. The awardee is selected by a committee consisting of the Curriculum Committee Chair, the Dean for Educational Affairs, and Dean of Student Affairs.
2026 Recipient
- Terrence Li, MD, Tufts Medical Center, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Department of Neurology
Tisch College of Civic Life and Tufts University School of Medicine Community Service Learning (CSL) Faculty Award
The Competency-based Apprenticeship in Primary Care (CAP) Teaching Award was developed to honor the faculty member who most clearly demonstrates dedication to the teaching of Tufts School of Medicine students in the early years of medical school. Recipients are selected based on their active involvement in the course, contribution to the development of fellow faculty members, and most significantly, on the evaluations of their students. To learn more about the criteria and selection process for the CSL Faculty Award, please visit the award information page here.
2026 Recipient
- Sabrina Chaklos, MD, Tufts Medical Center, Department of Medicine
Competency-based Apprenticeship in Primary Care (CAP) Teaching Award
The Competency-based Apprenticeship in Primary Care (CAP) Teaching Award was developed to honor the faculty member who most clearly demonstrates dedication to the teaching of Tufts School of Medicine students in the early years of medical school. Recipients are selected based on their active involvement in the course, contribution to the development of fellow faculty members, and most significantly, on the evaluations of their students.
2026 Recipients
- Boston: Alyssa Griffin, MD, Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, Department of Family Medicine
- Maine: Sarah G. Alvarez, MD, MPH, Maine Medical Center, Department of Family Medicine
DRC Annual Award for Excellence in Research
The Public Health and Community Medicine (PHCM) Departmental Research Committee (DRC) Annual Award for Excellence in Research honors a PHCM faculty member who has achieved significant research success in the past year. Recipients must excel in one or more areas, including securing funded research grants, publishing highly regarded peer-reviewed manuscripts, completing impactful public health reports, or advancing community-engaged research that benefits local communities and stakeholders.
- Ramnath Subbaraman, MD, MSc, Associate Professor, Public Health and Community Medicine
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Appointed a Commissioner for The Lancet Commission on the Global Implementation of Precision Health
As one of only 24 commissioners worldwide, and the sole pathologist in the group, Dr. AlThgafi will help shape strategies to advance precision health globally.
- Malak AlThgafi, MBBS, MBA
Named to The Pathologist Power List 2025: Leading Voices Edition
This list highlights just 50 individuals worldwide, selected by an expert panel of judges, who are advancing the field.
- Malak AlThgafi, MBBS, MBA
Accepted as a Distinguished Fellow of the Public Health Academy within the National Academies of Practice (NAP)
This prestigious fellowship recognizes Dr. Amutah-Onukagha’s exceptional contributions to public health and interprofessional care and her commitment to collaborative, patient-centered healthcare.
- Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, PhD, MPH
Named a Foreign Fellow of the Indian National Sciences Academy
This prestigious honor recognizes Dr. Arulanandam’s contributions to advancing immunology and global scientific collaboration.
- Bernard Arulanandam, MA, PhD, MBA
Appointed to Editorial Board of Academic Medicine
Academic Medicine is an official, peer-reviewed journal of the AAMC and one of the most influential journals in medical education.
- Laura Baecher-Lind, MD, MPH
Elected to the Fellowship of the American Academy of Microbiology
The 63 Fellows of the Academy were elected based on their records of scientific achievement and original contributions that have advanced microbiology.
- Helen W. Boucher, MD
Recognized as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)
This national honor recognizes Dr. Buyea’s sustained contributions to PA education, leadership, and service to the profession, as well as her commitment to advancing public health and interprofessional education.
- Beth Buyea, DHSc, PA-C
Selected as a Commissioner by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
The ARC-PA is the national accrediting body responsible for setting and maintaining educational standards for physician assistant programs in the U.S.
- Beth Buyea, DHSc, PA-C
Elected a Fellow of the American Surgical Association (ASA)
This esteemed recognition is a testament to Dr. Chatterjee’s unwavering dedication and substantial contributions to the field of surgery
- Abhishek Chatterjee, MD, MBA
Named to OncoDaily’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in Oncology in 2025
This honor recognizes the changemakers in cancer care who have helped shape current practice in oncology and continue to drive innovation and research towards better outcomes, advocacy, philanthropy, leadership and education.
- Don Dizon, MD
Elected a Member of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM)
Election to the academy is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service.
- Christina Economos, PhD
Received the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Education Academy Feitelberg Founder’s Award
The award honors the top journal article by a first-time author published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Education, recognizing Dr. Edmonds’s manuscript, “Challenging Anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A Stand for Moral Courage.”
- Chandi Edmonds, PT, DPT
Appointed to the Peer-Reviewed Reports in Medical Education Research (PRiMER) Editorial Board
Members are selected from among outstanding, sustained contributors to the journal.
- Deborah Erlich, MD, MMedEd
Elected Treasurer of the Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine (APDIM)
This election recognizes Dr. Finn’s longstanding leadership within the national community of internal medicine educators.
- Kathleen Finn, MD
Named a Member of the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Committee on Behavioral Health
In this national leadership role, Dr. Forester will help advise the AHA on behavioral health policy and advocacy and participate in strategic discussions on critical issues facing behavioral health providers and health systems.
- Brent Forester, MD, MSc
Received the 2026 American Psychiatric Association (APA) Jack Weinberg Award for Geriatric Psychiatry
The award recognizes Dr. Forester’s dedication to the assessment and treatment of older adults with mental health challenges, his commitment to training future geriatric mental health clinicians, and his contributions to advancing dementia research.
- Brent Forester, MD, MSc
Elected as a Councilor of the American Board of Surgery (ABS)
During six-year terms, members of the Council of the ABS establish and pursue the continuous improvement of ABS program standards, policies, and procedures overseeing surgical training, assessment, certification, and research priorities.
- Jason Hall, MD, MPH
Appointed President of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)
As president, Dr. Harvey aims to expand access to rheumatologic care, foster collaboration, and promote innovation in education and research.
- William F. Harvey, MD, MSc
Elected a Fellow of the American College of Radiology (FACR)
The FACR designation recognizes radiologists who have demonstrated exceptional service, leadership, scholarship, and dedication to advancing the field of radiology and patient care.
- Rachel Hitt, MD, MPH
Elected to the Association of American Physicians (AAP)
Election to the AAP is limited to just 70 physicians each year and honors individuals with outstanding contributions to basic and translational biomedical research.
- David Kent, MD
Received the Neonatal Update David Harvey Young Investigator Award
The 2025 Award Committee selected Dr. Kilpatrick based on his research on “leveraging real -world data and external controls in neonatal clinical trials.”
- Ryan Kilpatrick, MD
Received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Heart Failure Collaboratory (HFC)
This award recognizes individuals who embody the vision of the HFC through their lifetime commitment to leadership in clinical trials and regulatory science.
- Marvin Konstam, MD
Received the A.B. Baker Teacher Recognition Award from the American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
This award recognizes Dr. Li’s outstanding contributions to neurology education.
- Terrence Li, MD
Recipient of the 2026 Sevgi Rodan Career Life Balance Award from the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR)
This award supports women scientists navigating pregnancy, early parenthood, or adoption while continuing their research careers.
- Ziru Li, PhD
Gates Foundation’s Global Grand Challenges Program Award
Selected from more than 500 proposals worldwide, the team is one of just 18 funded through the Gram‑Negative Antibiotic Discovery Innovator (Gr‑ADI) consortium, a first‑of‑its‑kind global collaboration supported by the Gates Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, and Wellcome, focused on transforming early‑stage antibiotic discovery.
- Joan Mecsas, PhD
- Bree Aldridge, PhD
- Ralph Isberg, PhD
Appointed Associate Editor of MedEdPORTAL
MedEdPORTAL is the AAMC’s premier journal for disseminating educational resources for medical and dental schools.
- Sara Nelson, MD
Received the Cervical Cancer Champion Award from the American Cancer Society (ACS) National Roundtable on Cervical Cancer
The award recognizes leaders who have advanced cervical cancer prevention through advocacy, collaboration, and impact.
- Rebecca Perkins, MD, MSc
Elected a National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Fellow
NAI Fellowship is the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors.
- James Schwob, MD, PhD
Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society
Election to the society is one of the highest honors in global science and a distinction reserved for individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their fields.
- Soumya Swaminathan, MD
Received the 2026 Kaplan Leadership Development Award from the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA)
The mission of this award is to assist cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesiologists in their careers by granting funding to further their focus on leadership opportunities and development through course work and leadership specific studies.
- Agnieszka Trzcinka, MD
Received the 2026 Paul Dudley White Award from the American Heart Association
This award is presented annually to a physician who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to cardiovascular or stroke care and to advancing the mission of the American Heart Association.
- James Udelson, MD
Selected Co-Chair of the National Kidney Foundation’s Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) Hemodialysis Adequacy Guideline Workgroup
The workgroup will update the guidelines around provision of hemodialysis in the United States.
- Daniel Weiner, MD, MS
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Selection was based on an analysis of student evaluations for all pre-clerkship courses and faculty met the criteria established to recognize excellence as a pre-clerkship educator.
Paul Abourjaily Laura Baecher-Lind Laurence Bailen Peter Brodeur Marie Caldwell John Castellot Malcolm Creighton-Smith David Drew Pam Egan Rachel Erdil Najla Fiaturi Sanjeev Francis Scott Gilbert Evelyn Hall Katya Heldwein Berri Jacque Robert Kalish Thabo Kenosi John Leong Rebecca Lufler Revati Masilamani Michael McBrine Wai-Leung Ng Arthur Rabson Aimee Shen Ramnath Subbaraman Chenchen Sun Isha Tiernan Tamara Vesel -
Selection was based on an analysis of student evaluations for all pre-clerkship courses and faculty met the criteria established to recognize excellence as a pre-clerkship educator.
Gene Alperovich Majd Alsoubani Jocoll Burgess Taimur Dad Mike Davis James Dawson David Drew Scott Epstein Robert Faust Najla Fiaturi Rich Freeman Scott Gilbert Raymond Klein James Kryzanski James Kubilus Rebecca Lufler Mohini Lutchman Elisabeth Merchant Errol Norwitz Allison Reaves Brian Rosenberg Sarah Rosenberg-Scott Mina Safain Suzanne Smith Daniel Spratt Ramnath Subbaraman Mike Tozier Robert Trowbridge Daniel Weiner Samantha Wood Seth Wright -
Selection was based on an analysis of student evaluations for all pre-clerkship courses and faculty met the criteria established to recognize excellence as a pre-clerkship educator.
Chuck Cassidy Shane Davis Brian Downey Jai Eswara Evan Farina Michael Guss Michael Murphy David Ruchelsman Tracy Webber -
Each year a select group of retiring TUSM faculty are proposed for emeriti appointments. The emeriti title is reserved for distinguished faculty at senior ranks who have served the School of Medicine full-time for at least 10 years, and have made significant contributions to teaching, research, scholarship, and patient care.
Diana Willa Bianchi, MD, Professor of Pediatrics Emerita Rachel Joy Buchsbaum, MD, Professor of Medicine Emerita Jens Eldrup-Jorgensen, MD, Professor of Surgery Emeritus Lawrence Friedman, MD, Professor of Medicine Emeritus Richard I. Kopelman, MD, Professor of Medicine Emeritus Henry Querfurth, MD, PhD, Clinical Professor of Neurology Emeritus Hope Schreiber, PsyD, Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry Emerita Roman Schumann, MD, Professor of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine Emeritus Miguel J. Stadecker, MD, PhD, Professor of Immunology Emeritus Paul Summergrad, MD, Professor of Psychiatry Emeritus Arthur S. Tischler, MD, Professor of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Emeritus Monica H. Ultmann, MD, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics Emerita Jonathan Burton Zuckerman, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine Emeritus -
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
- Jorge Rios, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Tufts Medical Center
Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
- Lori M. Abrahamian, MD, Assistant Professor, Tufts Medical Center
- Iwona Bonney, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Tufts Medical Center
- Alla Vladlen Marshansky, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center
- Srdjan Nedeljkovic, MD, Lecturer, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Emergency Medicine
- Edward James O'Neil, Jr., MD, Associate Professor, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center
- Michael David Schwartz, MD, Assistant Professor, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center
Family Medicine
- David W. Douglas, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Congenial Healthcare
- Jeffrey A. Kleiman, MD, Clinical Instructor, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Cara Marshall, MD, Associate Professor, Lowell General Hospital
- Tina R. Waugh, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Beverly Hospital
Medical Education
- Tracy E. Maloney, DMD, MS, Instructor, Tufts School of Medicine
Medicine
- Frank Massaro, PharMD, Assistant Professor, Tufts Medical Center
- Paul F. Fallon, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center
- Scott J. Gilbert, MD, Professor, Tufts Medical Center
- Fredric D. Gordon, MD, Professor, Tufts Medical Center
- Richard J. Kahn, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Maine Medical Center
- Andreas Klein, MD, Professor, Tufts Medical Center
- Qing Lu, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Tufts Medical Center
- Denise Marie Mayo, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Newton-Wellesley Hospital
- Jennifer C. Paterson, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Newton-Wellesley Hospital
- Michael Wagner, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Tufts Medical Center
- Chenchen Wang, MD, MSc, Research Professor, Tufts Medical Center
Neurosurgery
- Subu N. Magge, MD, Adjunct Associate Professor, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center
Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Kristin L Dardano, MD, Adjunct Associate Professor, Baystate Medical Center
- Zwi Hoch, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Good Samaritan Hospital
Orthopaedic Surgery
- Hervey L. Kimball, MD, MS, Clinical Assistant Professor, New England Baptist Hospital
- Stephen Barry Murphy, MD, Associate Professor, New England Baptist Hospital
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
- Russell Stephen Shu, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, ENG Specialists, Inc.
Pediatrics
- Christiane E.L. Dammann, MD, Professor, Tufts Medical Center
Public Health and Community Medicine
- Lisa N. Gualtieri, PhD, Adjunct Associate Professor, Tufts School of Medicine
Radiology
- Jeffrey B. Mendel, MD, Assistant Professor, Parkland Medical Center
Surgery
- Henning A. Gaissert, MD, Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Gary S. Rogers, MD, Research Professor, Beverly Hospital
- Michael Eric Tarnoff, MD, Associate Professor, Tufts Medical Center
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TUSM Graduate Programs Awards
Eileen O’Neil MPH Program Citation for Excellence in Teaching
This award has been established by the MPH Class of 1999 to commend one MPH Program faculty member for demonstration of a sincere concern for students, an ability to share knowledge effectively and a manner that inspires by example.
- Michael Siegel, MD, MPH
MD/MPH & DVM/MPH Tracks Citation for Excellence in Teaching
This award was established by the MD/MPH Class of 1997 to commend one faculty member for demonstration of a sincere concern for students, an ability to share knowledge effectively and a manner that inspires by example.
- Owais Gilani, PhD
- Meera Gatlin, DVM, MPH, DACVPM
MS Biomedical Sciences Program Citation for Excellence in Teaching
This award was established by the MBS Students to commend one faculty member for demonstration of a sincere concern for students, an ability to share knowledge effectively and a manner that inspires by example.
- Revati Masilamani, PhD
Tony Schlaff Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism Faculty Teaching Award
- Vanessa Nicholson-Robinson, DrPH, MPH
PA Program Didactic Faculty of the Year
- Paul Abourjaily, PharmD
PA Program Distinguished Clinical Preceptor of the Year
- Alexandra Jureller, PA-C
PA Program Distinguished Adjunct Faculty of the Year
- Anna Gardner, PA-C
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Awards
Student Advocacy Award
- Alexei Bygrave, PhD
Tufts Teaching with Technology Awards
Excellence in Online Teaching Award
- Jonathan Gass, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Public Health & Community Medicine
- Amy Schlessman, DPT, DHSc, Assistant Professor, Rehabilitation Sciences
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M26 Student Selected Teaching Award Recipients
Dr. Jack Mitus Special Faculty Recognition Award
This award was established in 1981 by the senior class of Tufts University School of Medicine. In 2008, in collaboration with the friends and family of Dr. Jack Mitus, Tufts renamed the endowed Special Faculty Recognition Award in honor of Dr. Mitus’ legacy of outstanding teaching. This award commends one faculty member who has demonstrated an exceptional dedication to teaching, a commitment to academic scholarship, and a concern for the general well-being of medical students.
- Eliza Bullis, MD
Outstanding Teaching in the Pre-Clerkship Years
- Scott Gilbert, MD
Outstanding Teaching in the Clerkship Years
- Charles Hannum, MD
Dean’s Outstanding Mentor Award
- Shane Davis, M.D.
Faculty Awards for Excellence in Teaching
- Paul Abourjaily, PharmD
- Matthew Brown, MD
- Frank Chessa, MD
- Paul George, MD
- Jason Helis, MD
- Krista Johansen, PhD
- Maurice Frankie Joyce, MD
- James Kubilus, PhD
- Elizabeth Linnell, MD
- Rebecca Lufler, PhD
- Lilly Maltz, MD
- Jeffrey Marchant, PhD
- Jason Moran, MD
- Nina Nardello, MD
- Sarah Rosenberg-Scott, MD
- Seema Sahib, MD
- Monica Thim, DO
- Susana Wishnia, MD
See Who’s Been Honored Before
Each year, the School of Medicine celebrates faculty who go above and beyond in teaching, research, mentorship, and service. Want to know who has received these honors in the past? Browse our archive of Past Faculty Award Recipients here.