Student Awards & Honors

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.  

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 

• Massachusetts Medical Society Scholars Finalists 

George L. Howland Award in Anatomy

This prize is awarded for the best dissection in gross anatomy. 

Medical Class of 1928 Award in Anatomy 

This prize is awarded to a graduating senior for outstanding work in the course of anatomy. 

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. 

Upjohn Prize in Pharmacology 

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

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. 

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. 

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. 

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 

• Martin J. Loeb Memorial Prize in Surgery 

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. 

C. William Kaiser, M.D., FACS, FRCS 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. 

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. 

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. 

MPH Academic Achievement Award 

To the graduating student who, in the opinion of the faculty, has consistently demonstrated the highest level of academic achievement and who shows promise for making significant contributions to public health practice. 

Outstanding MPH Applied Learning Experience Award 

To the graduating student in the Master of Public Health Program who best demonstrates the ability to apply public health knowledge and skills to address a significant public health issue, who identified resources and overcame obstacles in the course of the work, and who demonstrated a commitment to the project and to the health of the public during the course of the project. 

MS in Health Informatics and Analytics Academic Achievement Award 

To the graduating student who, in the opinion of the faculty, has consistently demonstrated the highest level of academic achievement and who shows promise for making significant contributions to the field of health informatics. 

MS in Health Informatics and Analytics Capstone Award 

To the graduating student in the MS-Health Informatics and Analytics Program who most fully identifies and addresses a health care need or problem using the methodologies learned in the HIA program, and who demonstrated a commitment to the project and to the health of the public during the course of the project. 

MD/MPH and DVM/MPH Academic Achievement Award 

To the graduating student who, in the opinion of the faculty, has consistently demonstrated the highest level of academic achievement and who shows promise for making significant contributions to public health practice. 

Outstanding MD/MPH and DVM/MPH Applied Learning Experience Award 

To the graduating student in the MD/MPH or DVM/MPH Track who best demonstrates the ability to apply public health knowledge and skills to address a significant public health issue, who identified resources and overcame obstacles in the course of the work, and who demonstrated a commitment to the project and to the health of the public during the course of the project. 

Tim Edgar, PhD Prize 

To the graduating student who has demonstrated a commitment to health communication through their academic achievements, practice activities, comportment and reflects the characteristics that guided Tim’s life. 

Norman S. Stearns MD/MBA Leadership Award 

This award is given annually to the student(s) in the combined M.D./M.B.A. program who, in the opinion of the faculty, consistently displayed excellence in leadership. 

MD/MBA Academic Achievement Award 

This award is given annually to the student(s) in the combined M.D./M.B.A. program who consistently demonstrated the highest level of academic achievement. 

MD/MBA Best Team Consulting Project Award 

Awarded to the team that is judged by the faculty to have prepared and presented the best consulting project for their customers in the MD/MBA program. 

Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society Inductions 

This award is given to the student(s) in the combined MD/MBA program who consistently demonstrated the highest level of outstanding academic performance in the MA Int'l Economics & Finance program. Beta Gamma Sigma, is an honor society for business schools accredited by AACSB (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). 

MS in Biomedical Sciences Academic Achievement and Professionalism Award 

To the graduating student who, in the opinion of the faculty, has consistently demonstrated the highest level of academic achievement and professional behavior. 

MS in Biomedical Sciences Dr. Alvar Gustafson Award 

This award was established by the MBS Program to honor its founding Director, Dr. Alvar Gustafson. It recognizes one MBS student for dedicated service and compassion while demonstrating the high level of social responsibility and civic engagement exemplified by Dr. Gustafson during his four decades at Tufts. 

MS in Biomedical Sciences Student Leadership Award 

This award has been established by the MBS Program to recognize one MBS student for outstanding leadership, demonstrating a commitment to excellence, and leading by example. 

Marsha Semuels Leadership Award 

This award is named in honor of Marsha Semuels, the former Executive Dean at Tufts University School of Medicine. Six years ago, Dean Semuels was visionary in proposing that Tufts University School of Medicine develop a Physician Assistant Program. She was instrumental in actualizing this nascent concept to the Physician Assistant Program we have today. Nominated by their fellow students, the recipient of this award is recognized for having served as a student and community leader during their tenure here at Tufts. This individual epitomizes the best of the Tufts tradition: active citizenship, professional engagement, and student activism. 

Distinguished Student Award 

This award is given by the Principal Faculty to a member of the graduating class in recognition of their exceptional commitment to the Tufts University School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program, their dedication and professionalism in all aspects of their training, and their peer support of fellow students. 

A. Wells Ziegra Compassionate Care Award 

This award is named in honor of the late Albert Wells Ziegra, an emeritus physician assistant in cardiothoracic surgery at Tufts Medical Center and respected faculty member for the PA Program at Tufts University School of Medicine. Professor Ziegra demonstrated patience, humor, and a passion for medicine both in and outside of the classroom. He took pride in his profession and enjoyed sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience with students in order to deepen their understanding. Nominated by the principal faculty, the recipient of this award is recognized for their passion and dedication to the physician assistant profession. This individual demonstrates a desire to help others and an eagerness to learn and share new knowledge. 

Edward Charles Murphy Academic Excellence Award 

This award is named in honor of the late Edward Charles Murphy, brother of our founding program director Richard Murphy. The recipient of this award is recognized for academic and clinical excellence. The award will be given to the graduating student with the highest academic achievement during their time here at Tufts University School of Medicine PA Program. 

ACAPT National Physical Therapy Society Recognition 

National Physical Therapy Student Honor Society recognizes Doctor of Physical Therapist students demonstrating academic achievement, integrity, leadership. 

Tufts DPT Core Value Award: Excellence in Academics 

This award recognizes students whose dedication to their DPT studies rises above and beyond what is expected individually and collaboratively with their peers. It is given to those who demonstrate excellence in academics cultivate a spirit of inquiry and creativity and positively contribute to the Tufts DPT learning community. 

Tufts DPT Core Value Award: Excellence in Clinical Education 

This award recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding clinical behaviors, including professionalism, integrity, and exceptional attention to patient-centered care. 

Tufts DPT Core Value Award: Professionalism 

This award recognizes students who demonstrate exemplary professionalism in their contributions to the program, the University, and the physical therapy profession. Students demonstrating excellence in professionalism act with the highest integrity and are personally accountable. 

Tufts DPT Core Value Award: Humanism 

This award recognizes the impact one individual can have on the well-being of the cohort and whose contributions to support, care, feel compassion, and respect fostered a positive cohort culture. 

Tufts DPT Core Value Award: Social Responsibility 

This recognizes outstanding dedication to civic duty, service, and advocacy, especially for underserved and vulnerable populations. This award is given to those who demonstrated excellence in social responsibility and service to others or the profession, awareness of social determinants of health, health equity, social justice, and stewardship of resources. 

Tufts DPT Jumbo Award: Leadership 

This recognizes students who have led by example and demonstrate the highest level of collaborative teamwork and can produce positive outcomes, even in challenging situations. 

Ian B. MacNeill Applied Learning Experience Award in Quantitative Analysis 

To the graduating student who demonstrated an outstanding ability to analyze, interpret, display, and communicate critical information derived from research data. This award honors the work of Dr. Ian MacNeill, who through his academic career has set the standard for research and scholarship in applying analytical tools in public health sciences. 

H. Jack Geiger Public Health Advocacy Award 

To the graduating student in the Public Health Programs who has demonstrated a body of work contributing to advocacy for public health and social justice. This award recognizes the extraordinary contributions to public health and social justice made by former Tufts professor Dr. H. Jack Geiger and was made possible by a generous gift from Melanie Doupé Gaiser, MPH’07. 

Delta Omega Honor Society Inductions 

The purpose of the Delta Omega Society is to encourage excellence in public health scholarship and research and to recognize academic and professional achievement in the field of public health. The MPH Program is the Alpha Omega Chapter of the Delta Omega and their inductees this year are being honored for their demonstration of real or potential qualities of leadership in public health in addition to academic excellence. 

Morton A. Madoff Public Health Fellowship Award 

The Morton A. Madoff Fellowship is a career development award that is given to a promising student to support their participation in an activity or project that is expected to contribute to or enhance their career in public health, public policy or health care management. This award acknowledges and honors Dr. Madoff's contribution in promoting the training and career development of students.