2024 MD Program Senior Awards
Recognizing excellence and achievement, senior awards serve as a testament to the dedication and perseverance demonstrated by individuals throughout their academic journey. Each year, Tufts University School of Medicine’s MD Program celebrates the students who have excelled in various facets of their educational experience. Join us as we applaud and honor these remarkable individuals for their contributions and achievements.
United States Public Service (USPHS) Excellence in Public Health Award
This award recognizes medical students across the United States who advance public health and exemplify the USPHS Commissioned Corps' mission to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of our Nation.
- Kali Sullivan
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.
- William Nicholson
Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) Scholars Program
These awards recognize outstanding students in the medical schools of Massachusetts. MMS selects two 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
- Anna K. Daoud
- Nicholas Verdini
Massachusetts Medical Society Scholars Finalists
- Samuel Ding
- Caroline J. Liang
- Olivia Pearson
- Shantiera Taylor
George L. Howland Award in Anatomy
This prize is awarded for the best dissection in gross anatomy.
- Thomas J. LaJoie
Medical Class of 1928 Award in Anatomy
This prize is awarded to a graduating senior for outstanding work in the course of anatomy.
- Madison Hayes-Lattin
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.
- Olivia Lucey
Upjohn Prize in Pharmacology
This award is presented to a graduating senior who did outstanding work in the preclinical science of pharmacology.
- Emi Hirsh
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.
- Jonathan Louie
- Zemplen Pataki
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.
- Jerry Shen
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.
- Lindsey Bell
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.
- Marissa Reilly
- Rayne Whitten
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.
- Shivani D. Patel
- Julia Swarthout
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
- Cade Herman
- Ashley H. Rector.
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.
- Naira Raquel Xilau Blenheim
- Thomas Farrar
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.
- Tamara Scott
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.
- Shray P. Ambe
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.
- Edward Bickham
Louis B. Weinstein Prize
Established in 1975 by former students, fellows, and associates of Dr. Louis Weinstein, who was a leading figure in the creation of the field of infectious disease research and served as chief infectious diseases at the School of Medicine from 1957 to 1975. This prize is awarded to the graduating senior in recognition of academic achievement in clinical medicine.
- Stephen Le Breton
- Daniel Packard
William Dameshek Awards
Two awards were established in 1974 by the Dameshek Foundation in honor of Dr. William Dameshek, former chair of the Hematology Division of the Department of Medicine at Tufts Medical Center.
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 the medical school, show promise for continued development and productivity as investigators.
- Michael Cassidy
- Anna K. Daoud
- Kathleen L. Grene
- Emily Grussing
- Abigail L. Lebovitz
- Stephen Le Breton
- Zachary Ivan Li
- Shant H. Mahrokhian
- Sayuri Sekimitsu
- Nicholas Verdini
William Dameshek Award in Internal Medicine
This award is given to the graduating senior who, in the opinion of the Chair of the Department of Medicine, shows qualities of scholarship, scientific knowledge, and humaneness in his or her work in internal medicine.
- Shant H. Mahrokhian
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
- Delaney Johnson
- MacKenzi MacRae
Martin J. Loeb Memorial Prize in Surgery
- Melanie Mait
- Sebastian Mellado
- Chloe Savino
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.
- Sayuri Sekimitsu
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.
- Madison Hayes-Lattin
- Elizabeth Pagura
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.
- Michael Cassidy
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.
- Iris T. Chan
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.
- Cendal Atkins
- Shantiera Taylor
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.
- Nicholas Verdini
Commencement Committee Award
This award is presented to the graduating senior who has shown consistent leadership in the medical school community.
- Gillian Brandt
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.
- Ashley Latona
- Ranjana Lingutla
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.
- Miki Calderon
- Emily Grussing
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.
- Anna K. Daoud
- Caitlin Farrington
- Madison Hayes-Lattin
- Delaney Johnson
- Diana S. Kim
- Olivia Lucey
- MacKenzie MacRae
- Elizabeth Pagura
- Dina Poplausky
- Chloe Savino
- Sayuri Sekimitsu
- Sharmitha Yerneni
Honos Civicus Society
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 2024 have been elected to the Honos Civicus Society:
- Shray P. Ambe
- Bailey Carter
- Iris T. Chan
- Madeline Chase
- Anna K. Daoud
- Samuel Ding
- Zachary Duperry
- Emma Fleisher
- Emily Grussing
- Cade Herman
- Thomas Howe
- Christina Kraus
- Ashley Latona
- Laura Lodolo
- Shivani Patel
- Tina Le Phan
- Amanda Pomeroy
- Kavita Prasad
- Joshua Proal
- Harleen Saini
- Elana Sanford
- Avery Schnell
- Sayuri Sekimitsu
- Aashka Shah
- Kali Sullivan
- Shantiera Taylor
- Nicholas Verdini
- Jocelyn Vuong
- Garfield O'Brian Walker