2020 Senior Awards Recipients

Tufts School of Medicine Recipient of the Presidential Award for Civic Life

The Presidential Award for Civic Life is the highest recognition for service, leadership, and civic engagement conferred by Tufts University. Each year, Tisch College is proud to help select and celebrate outstanding students who combined academic achievement with a profound impact on communities near and far, helping address some of the biggest problems in our society.

Anthony Norman

For two years, Anthony served as the president of IDEAS in Medicine, a longstanding  partnership between the Tufts University School of Medicine and the Wright Science and Technology Academy in Chelsea. A Chelsea native himself, Anthony took on this demanding leadership role, which involves fundraising, recruiting and supervising volunteers, scheduling, budget management, and planning lessons and activities for the middle school students. He excelled in the role, expanding the curriculum and securing financial support for a special field trip to Boston’s Museum of Science. He also sat on the Multicultural Fellows Council and the Student National Medical Association, earning praise. Throughout all of his service and leadership activities, he earned praise from teachers, supervisors, and peers for his passion and commitment, as well as his academic excellence as he prepared to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.

Massachusetts Medical Society Scholars Program

These awards recognize outstanding students in the medical schools of Massachusetts. MMS selects four students from each school as recipients based on their academic excellence, community service, and financial need. Four additional highly deserving Tufts School of Medicine students were recognized as finalists.

Massachusetts Medical Society Scholars Award

• Anthony Norman
• Donna Okoli
• Rolvix Patterson III
• Hilary Rogers

Massachusetts Medical Society Scholars Finalists

• Anna Martens
• Ogechukwu Uwanaka
• Brendan Waldoch
• Jonathan Williams

Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Awards Presented by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation

This award is presented to the graduating senior who best exemplify the Foundation’s ideals of outstanding compassion in the delivery of care, respect for patients, families, and healthcare colleagues, and who demonstrate clinical excellence.

• Anna Winston

George L. Howland Award in Anatomy
This prize is awarded for the best dissection in gross anatomy.

• David Monroe

Medical Class of 1928 Award in Anatomy
This prize is awarded to a graduating senior for outstanding work in the course of anatomy.

• Peter Harris
• Ava Sanayei

Leon Levinson Prize in Physiology
This award was established by the Graduate Club of Boston of the Phi Delta Epsilon Fraternity in memory of Leon Levinson, M43. Dr. Levinson was an inspiring teacher and a wise and understanding physician. It is awarded to the graduating senior showing the greatest proficiency in physiology.

• Erica Haas

Upjohn Prize in Pharmacology
This award is presented to a graduating senior who did outstanding work in the preclinical science of pharmacology.

• Michael DeLucia
• Andrew Thomspon

Dr. Frank Inserra Prize
Established in 1991 by Mrs. Angela Inserra, in memory of her husband, Dr. Frank Inserra, M41, this prize is awarded to the graduating senior who excels in the study of pathology.

• Hansaa Gopalakrishnan
• Alexander Neil

David L. Kasdon Prize in Neurosurgery
This award was established in 1987 by the family, friends, and colleagues of Dr. David L. Kasdon, M71. Dr. Kasdon was an inspiring teacher and outstanding clinician in neurosurgery. The award is presented to the graduating senior who has shown interest in and outstanding achievement in neuroscience.

• Peter Harris

Harry H. Brenner, M33, Memorial Prize
This prize was established by members of Dr. Brenner’s family and friends as a lasting memorial to a dedicated physician and fine humanitarian. It is awarded to the graduating senior who has shown the highest proficiency and interest in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.

• Janelle Driscoll
• David Monroe

Sydney S. Gellis Award in Pediatrics
This award was established in 1968 by the members of the Department of Pediatrics upon the retirement of Dr. Sydney S. Gellis. It is awarded to the graduating senior who has shown interest and outstanding achievement in the field of pediatrics.

• Anna Martens
• Robert Ohman

Dr. Toby Wesselhoeft Family Medicine Award for Clinical Excellence, Compassion and Service
This award was established in 2007 by family, friends, and colleagues to honor Dr. Robert (Toby) Wesselhoeft, III. It is given to the graduating senior who has chosen a career in family medicine, and who, in the opinion of the faculty, has shown the clinical excellence, compassion, and service exemplified by Dr. Wesselhoeft.

• Delana Eby
• Gregory Zhang

Mildred Ann Myerson Memorial Prize
This award recognizes achievement in the art and skill of the doctor/patient relationship. It is given to the graduating senior who has a high degree of understanding, integrity, and maturity of character in the care of the patient.

• Douglas Johnston

Dr. John T. Batal Prize
Established by Dr. John T. Batal, Class of 1922, this award is given to the graduating senior who has flourished during his or her clinical years.

• Sebastian Hernandez
• Ramy Rashad

Dr. Marc and Diane Homer Award in Diagnostic Radiology
This award was established in 2006 by Dr. Marc J. Homer, his wife Diane, and their sons. It is given to the graduating senior who has chosen a career in diagnostic radiology, and who, in the opinion of the faculty, exemplifies the qualities of academic achievement, concern for the patient, and collegiality in working with peers.

• Davis Vigneault

Zarren Family Prize
Established in 1983 by Dr. Harvey Zarren, M69, it is awarded to the graduating senior who has demonstrated both excellence in clinical cardiology and excellence and compassion in interpersonal relationships.

• Chen Bao

Ethel and Reuben, M34, Russman Prize in Geriatrics
Established in 1984 by Dr. Reuben Russman, M34, and his wife, Ethel, it is awarded to the graduating senior who has demonstrated an interest in geriatrics and who exemplifies the qualities necessary to provide care to the aged patient.

• Alexander Jordan

Louis B. Weinstein Prize
Established in 1975 by former students, fellows, and associates of Dr. Louis Weinstein, this prize is awarded to the graduating senior in recognition of academic achievement in clinical medicine.

• R. Jordan Williams
• Rebecca Yanovsky

William Dameshek Award in Undergraduate Research
This award is given to graduating seniors who have done meritorious and creative research as an undergraduate and who, in the judgment of the Dean of Medicine, show promise for continued development and productivity as investigators.

• Rachel Casseres 
• Rolvix Patterson III
• Gabrielle Ray

William Dameshek Award in Internal Medicine
This award is given to the graduating senior who, in the opinion of the Chairman of the Department of Medicine, shows qualities of scholarship, scientific knowledge, and humaneness in his or her work in internal medicine.

• Robert Michaud Jr.
• Kelly Torosian

Martin J. Loeb Memorial Prizes
Two prizes, one in medicine and one in surgery, were established by the members of the Class of 1961 and the family of the late Dr. Martin J. Loeb. These awards are given in recognition of the two qualities which comprise the truly complete physician and which reflect the personality of Dr. Loeb – academic achievement and evidence of basic human qualities.

Martin J. Loeb Memorial Prize in Medicine

• L. Jordan Breyfogle
• Eric Swanson

Martin J. Loeb Memorial Prize in Surgery

• Nitin Jethmalani
• Serena Lofftus
• Raffi Melikian

Dublin Prize in Ophthalmology
Established through the estate of George Dublin, Class of 1924, this award is given to the graduating senior who has demonstrated academic excellence and is pursuing a career in ophthalmology.

• Nicholas Levergood

C. William Kaiser, M.D., FACS, FRCS (C) Prize
This prize was established in 2015 by C. William Kaiser, M.D., M65. It is awarded to the graduating senior who has demonstrated academic excellence and has matched to a residency in a surgical field.

• Suzanne Kent
• Zachary Radford

Professor Ernest Grable, M.D. Award
This award was established in 2003 by Newton-Wellesley Hospital in honor of Professor Ernest Grable, M.D.. It is given to the graduating senior who, during surgical clerkship, best represented the qualities of intelligence, interest, passion, commitment to learning and compassion which were exemplified by Dr. Grable.

• Dhivya Perumal

John T. Harrington, M.D. Award
This award was established in 2002 by the Tufts University School of Medicine Student Council in recognition of Dr. Harrington’s creative and visionary leadership as Dean of the School of Medicine (1995-2002) and for his inspirational devotion to patient care. It is given to the graduating senior who, in the opinion of the student council and the deans, has demonstrated a deep interest in humanity, resulting in exemplary care of his or her patients.

• Kiera Cunningham

Dr. Ruth Marguerite Easterling Award
This award was established in 1989 by the RME Fund, Inc. in honor of one of the first black women to complete her medical degree at Tufts. It is given to underrepresented in medicine (URM) students who have demonstrated leadership in, and commitment to, community service, and have engaged in activities that positively affect medically underserved populations. The award commends the graduating senior for his or her outstanding achievements and humaneness in medicine.

• Donna Okoli
• Victor Nhliziyo

Philip E. Sheridan, M.D. Prize
This prize was established in 1977 by bequest of Dr. Sheridan and the classes of Liberal Arts (1908) and Medicine (1912). It is awarded to the graduating senior who has, in the opinion of the faculty, gained the respect and admiration of our academic community by successfully mastering the medical curriculum through dedication and perseverance.

• Alexander Cohn
• Jessica Reyes-Peterson

Commencement Committee Award
This award is presented to the graduating senior who has shown consistent leadership in the medical school community.

• Caitlin Fai

Worth F. Bloom, M25, Prize
Established in 1984 by the family of Dr. Worth Bloom, Class of 1925, this award is given to the graduating senior who, in the opinion of the faculty, has demonstrated the high standards of excellence and compassion achieved by Dr. Bloom.

• Mary Albertolle
• Justin Owumi
• Haylee Rosenblatt

Charles, M34, and Jane Brusch Prize
This prize was established in 1984 by Dr. Charles Brusch, M34, and his family and friends. It is given to the graduating senior who has demonstrated achievement in the art and skill of the doctor/patient relationship. This award recognizes a high degree of understanding, integrity, and maturity of character in the care of the patient.

• William Bennett IV
• Keon Maleki-Yazdi
• Ariana Nestler

Dr. Te-Wen Chang Travel Award
This award was established in 2001 by the family of Tufts faculty member Dr. Te-Wen Chang to honor his pioneering research into the C. difficile toxin. This fund shall be used to grant travel scholarships to one or more medical students annually who qualify to study in the School of Medicine’s Global Health Programs.

• William Bennett IV
• Brianna Philbrick

Susan Hadley, M.D. Award
Established in 2016 in loving memory of Susan Hadley, M.D., by her family, friends, and colleagues. Dr. Hadley was a professor of Medicine in the Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases and was a physician of exceptional skill, heart and commitment. She was devoted to patients and their families and to training young physicians in both the technical aspects of medicine as well as the deeper, sacred obligations of treating human disease. This Fund supports students participating in Tufts’ Global Health Programs.

• Julia Turock

American Medical Women’s Association Glasgow-Rubin Academic Achievement Certificates
The Glasgow-Rubin Academic Achievement certificates recognize those women students who graduate in the top 10% of their class.

• Mary Albertolle
• Margaret Davis
• Krystal DePorto
• Janelle Driscoll
• Emily Fitzgerald
• Serena Lofftus
• Hannah Robertson
• Haylee Rosenblatt
• Ava Sanayei
• Kelly Torosian
• Anna Winston
• Rebecca Yanovsky

Class of 2020 Alpha Omega Alpha Members
In 1940, the Sir William Osler Honor Society of Tufts University School of Medicine was chartered as the Beta Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha, the national honor medical fraternity. The following members of the Class of 2020 have been elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Fraternity:

• Mary Albertolle
• William Bennett IV
• L. Jordan Breyfogle
• Sameer Chervu*
• Margaret Davis
• Krystal DePorto
• Janelle Driscoll
• Jessica Evans
• Emily Fitzgerald
• Clara Garcia
• Andrew Hresko
• Nitin Jethmalani
• Douglas Johnston
• Suzanne Kent
• Nicholas Levergood
• Ruth Lewis
• Serena Lofftus
• Raffi Melikian
• Robert Michaud Jr.
• David Monroe
• Peter Natov
• Ariana Nestler
• Dhivya Perumal
• Zachary Radford
• Gabrielle Ray
• Haylee Rosenblatt
• Ava Sanayei
• Michael Shaughnessy Jr.
• Westley Spiro
• Eric Swanson
• Shane Taylor
• Kelly Torosian
• Carly Wareham
• Jonathan Williams
• R. Jordan Williams
• Anna Winston
• Rebecca Yanovsky
• Gregory Zhang

Honos Civicus Society Class of 2020
Honos Civicus, Latin for “Civic Honors,” celebrates and publicly recognizes graduating fourth-year students who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to community service and civic engagement. The following members of the Class of 2020 have been elected to the Honos Civicus Society:

• William Bennett IV
• Sameer Chervu*
• Jonathan Danel
• Caitlin Fai
• Emily Fitzgerald
• Sydney Ford
• Jodi Forward
• Madeline Ganz
• Margaret Gegick
• Isaac Gendelman
• Laura Getchell
• Nitin Jethmalani
• Alexander Jordan
• Alexander Kaye
• Anna Martens
• Robert Michaud Jr.
• Ariana Nestler
• Anthony Norman
• Emily Pascal
• Rolvix Patterson III
• Eric Robbins
• Hannah Robertson
• Hilary Rogers
• Haylee Rosenblatt
• Colin Russell
• Kara Ryan
• Aashna Saini
• Cassandra Scott
• Michael Shaughnessy Jr.
• Eric Swanson
• Ogechukwu Uwanaka
• Brendan Waldoch
• Thomas Zink

*posthumous recognition