News from the Department of Medicine

Class of 2021 Medical Students, Faculty, Staff Recognized at Honors Celebration

May 7, 2021 by Jennifer Nachbur

In a salute to graduating medical students’ accomplishments and to honor the faculty and staff who have supported them during their medical education journey, the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine launched a virtual 2021 Honors Celebration on May 6, 2021.

In a salute to graduating medical students’ accomplishments and to honor the faculty and staff who have supported them during their medical education journey, the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine launched a virtual 2021 Honors Celebration on May 6, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. The online celebration features a welcome and congratulatory remarks from Dean Richard L. Page, M.D., and presentations of awards that recognize exemplary medical students, faculty, and staff. (View the virtual Honors Celebration.)

Through videotaped presentations, the following awards and their respective recipients were announced:

Faculty, Staff and Department Awards from the Class of 2021

Clinical Teacher of the YearKatie Dolbec, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery, Division of Emergency Medicine
This award honors a faculty member who exhibits humanism in patient care, includes students in the clinical setting, creates an engaging learning environment, and fosters confidence and skill in the students with whom they worked.

Collette AwardEmma Faustner, Advanced Integration and Residency Placement Coordinator
This award honors a support staff member who a support staff member who was outstanding during the clinical levels of the Vermont Integrated Curriculum including Clerkship and Advanced Integration

Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Society (AOA) Volunteer Faculty Award: Lincoln Heath, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, of the Community Health Centers of Burlington

AOA Faculty Award: Fuyuki Hirashima, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, UVM Medical Center (UVMMC); Molly Rideout, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, UVMMC; and Matthew Siket, M.D., Associate Professor of Surgery, Division of Medicine, UVMMC

AOA Housetaff (Resident) Award: John Konen, M.D., Clinical Instructor in Surgery, UVMMC; and Nathaniel White, Clinical Instructor in Pediatrics, UVMMC

The Clinical Resident of the Year Award: Adam Paine, M.D., Clinical Instructor in Surgery, UVMMC

Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) - Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Faculty award: Devika Singh, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, UVMMC

The Harry E. Howe, M.D. & Theo O. Howe Outstanding Teacher of Surgery Prize: Margaret Tandoh, M.D., Gamelli Green and Gold Professor in Surgery, Division of Acute Care Surgery, UVMMC
This award recognizes and honors excellence in teaching in the Department of Surgery.

Clinical Department of the Year: Division of Emergency Medicine

Student Awards

The John E. Mazuzan Jr., M.D.'54 Award for excellence in Anesthesiology: Flora Liu

The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Award for excellence in Emergency Medicine: Tyler Prince

The Edward E. Friedman Award for promise of excellence in the practice of Family Medicine: Jenna Dafgek

The Family Medicine John. P Fogarty, M.D. Leadership Award - Family Medicine: Jhaimy Fernandez

The Ellsworth Amidon Award for outstanding proficiency in Internal Medicine: Sean Meagher

The Laura Weed, M.D. Award for scholarship, service, and excellence in medicine: Matthew Tsai

The American Academy of Neurology Medical Student Prize for excellence in Neurology: Connor Scagnelli

The Herbert Martin Sr., M.D. Award for excellence in Neurology: Emily Eichner

The Carbee Award for academic excellence in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences: Kathryn Kurchena

The John V. Maeck, M.D.'39 Robe Recipient for overall excellence in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences: Sidika Kajtezovic

The Dr. & Mrs. Nathaniel Gould, M.D.'37 Prize for outstanding achievements in Orthopaedic Surgery: Annabelle Davey

The Ralph D. Sussman, M.D.'38 Medical Alumni Award: Reed Hausser

The William Sweetser Award: Olivia Harrison

The Walter Dodd, M.D. Award in Radiology for excellence in Radiology: Liam du Preez

The H. Gordon Page, M.D.'45 Award for excellence in Surgery: Hillary Danis

The Harry Howe, M.D.'52 Senior Student Award for excellence in Surgery: Max Silverstein

The Pilcher Award for representing the qualities of Eleanor & Lewis Pilcher of devotion to family and patients, with a high regard for ethics and honesty: Brian Gross

The College of American Pathologists Distinguished Medical Student Award for excellence in Pathology: Amanda Kardys

ACEP/EMRA National Outstanding Medical Student Award: Raghav Goyal

Charles T. Schechtman, M.D., ’26 Award for excellence in the clinical care of patients and is based on outstanding work during the Clerkship Year: First Prize: Joy Lowry; and Michael Weber. Second Prize: Michael Chmielewski; Jack Dubuque; Raghav Goyal; Olivia Harrison; Elizabeth Lanata; Olivia Larkin; and Sean Meagher

The David Babbot, M.D. “Caring and Seeing Award” honoring a physician, who for decades served as a role model for students and residents at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. The student awardee has demonstrated commitment to medical education and excellence and personal attentiveness in patient care; strong and caring relationships with faculty members; and commitment to the educational mission of the College of Medicine: Matthew Tsai

The Kerzner Family Prize for outstanding service to the community: Raghav Goyal