Honors Convocation Fetes Class of 2024 MD Candidates

By Dirk Hoffman

The following award-winning MD candidates were also recognized during the school’s commencement ceremony.

Lieberman Award
Interest in and aptitude for the study of anesthesiology
Nathan Michael Gartland
Emily Margot Smith 

Department of Emergency Medicine Scholastic Award
Outstanding academic record in emergency medicine
Tessa Whitney Alianell

Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Award
Excellence in emergency medicine
Peter Quang Tran

American Academy of Family Physicians President’s Award
Outstanding academic record and a commitment to practice family medicine
Sara Elliott Feinland

Charles Bauda Award
Academic excellence during third year
Andrea Belen Alfonsi
Mariah Celeste Reinard

G. Norris Miner Memorial Award
Demonstration of outstanding clinical competence in family medicine
Margaret Susan Ahern
Jake Alan Zipp

Mark A. Petrino Award
Demonstrated interest and aptitude for the general practice of family medicine
Adama Jalloh

Bukowski Award
Characteristics of high integrity, loyalty, thoughtfulness and thoroughness
Stephanie Goncalves Rangel

Patrick Costello Award
Achieved highest grade on the written exam for internal medicine
Xiane Loo Smith

David K. Miller Prize in Medicine
Competence, humility and humanity in caring for the sick
Lauryn Elizabeth Rudin

Stephen J. Paolini Award
Best exemplified the qualities of dedication and compassion which Dr. Paolini personified
Daniel Bradley Culpepper

Emilie Davis Rodenberg Memorial Award
Demonstrated strong interest in the study of diabetes
Claire Irene Sucharski
Susan Maureen Eichhorn

Harry E. and Loretta A. Jordan Award
Recognizes a student for noteworthy investigation of cancer and neoplastic disease
Elliot David Kramer

Dr. Beth J. Wutz Memorial Award
A student who demonstrates a dedication to both intelligent and empathetic care of both children and young adults
Elizabeth Ann Crinzi

American Academy of Neurology Student Prize for Excellence
Sustained interest and excellence in neurology
Ian Richard Bogdanowicz
Jacob Richard Braun

Bernard H. Smith Memorial Award in Clinical Neurology
Most outstanding performance in the neurology clerkship
Michael John Meyer

Hans J. Lowenstein Award in Obstetrics
Most outstanding clinical work
Tatiana Sobomo Amaye-Obu
Julian Grace Saleh
Sarah Maria Andres

Dr. Thomas J. Guttuso Award
Academic excellence in ophthalmology
Cody Anthony Manzanero

Harry E. and Loretta A. Jordan Award
Proficiency in ophthalmology
Andy James Vega Medina

E. J. Weisenheimer Award
Excellence in scholarship and patient care in ophthalmology
Alexandra Kate Gilligan

Dr. Benjamin E. and Lila Obletz Prize
Academic achievement and interest in orthopaedic surgery
Itai Bezherano

Department of Otolaryngology Chairman’s Award
Demonstrated outstanding achievement in otolaryngology
Lauren Ashley DiNardo

Association of Pathology Chairs Award
Scholarship in pathology
Claire Elizabeth Wilcox

Morris and Sadie Stein Award
Excellence in neuroscience
Lauren Ashley DiNardo

Children’s Hospital Prize
Excellence in understanding childhood diseases
Christina Elizabeth Buscaglia

Richard T. Sarkin, MD Award/Buffalo Pediatric Society Award
Outstanding clinical skills and commitment to primary care pediatrics
Kelsey Elizabeth Gibson

Frederick B. Wilkes Pediatric Award
Dedication to patients and the field of pediatrics
Mariana Lynn Hand

Gilbert M. Beck Memorial Prize in Psychiatry
Academic excellence in psychiatry
Joseph Harry Gerlach

S. Mouchly Small, MD Award
Ability to relate well to patients, faculty and staff
Julia Cecille Silver

Farney R. Wurlitzer Prize
Outstanding work in psychiatry
Grace Eujeania Herman

Dr. George Alker Award
Excellence in radiology
Benjamin Charles Ritter

Buffalo Surgical Society Prize in Surgery
Academic excellence in the clinical years
Kristen Laura Kosmerl

Department of Surgery Chair’s Award
Superior clinical performance and the highest score on the surgery exam
Teresa Ruth Pullano

Dr. Heinrich Leonhardt Prize in Surgery
Academic excellence 
Alyssa Diane Reese

Bacelli Award
Most outstanding research by a medical student
Allison Chowdhury

Robert M. Bannerman Memorial Research Award
Most notable research in biomedical science initiated during the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences’ Summer Research Fellowship Program
Caitlin Michelle Wuebbolt

Erika Bruck Award
Research or thesis based on concepts of the basic sciences as applied to a clinical problem
Emma Katherine Haley

Research Honors Awards
A commitment to excellence in research during medical school
Olumayowa Titilope Adebiyi
Adil Ali
Salma Attai
Trinithas Jeanne Boyi
Lindsey Catherine Caines
Ricki Chen
Lauren Ashley DiNardo
Brendan Richard Fitzpatrick
Jesse Max Galina
Joseph Harry Gerlach
Alexandra Kate Gilligan
Emma Katherine Haley
Alison Caroline Khan
Michael Anthony Khan
Gaganjot Parmar
Jacob Michael Perkins
Maya Sunita Raghavan
Manhal Munir Siddiqi
Afreen Siddiqui
Jeremy Maddigan Walsh
Rachel Eden Williams

Thesis Honors Awards
Outstanding research supported by a written thesis satisfying the school’s highest standard
Alexander Otilio Aguirre
Allison Chowdhury
Alyssa Diane Reese
Nicco Lorenzo Ruggiero

Dr. Avery Ellis Memorial Award
For work advancing the curriculum or implementing a new and lasting school initiative
Jelyn Cruz Eustaquio
Anna Elizabeth Lange
Wei Liu

Dr. James Goldinger Curriculum Leadership Award
Leadership, enthusiasm and a dedication to teaching
Bradley Terence Jensen

National Medical Association Award
Excellence in scholarship, leadership and commitment to community service
Olumayowa Titilope Adebiyi

John Paroski, MD Memorial Award
Compassion and excellence in patient care
Ian Richard Bogdanowicz

Philip P. Sang Memorial Award
Ability to relate well to patients, faculty and staff
Amanda Anna Geiger

Dr. Karen Schupak Memorial Medical Student Award
Demonstrates a high degree of empathy when working with patients
Emily Margot Smith

Evan Calkins, MD, and Virginia Calkins, MD, Primary Care Achievement Award
Exceptional performance in primary care and outstanding personal characteristics including compassion, integrity, judgment and leadership
Kelsey Elizabeth Gibson

Elizabeth Award
Unusual compassion and a noteworthy personal and professional sense of integrity and ethics
Andrea Belen Alfonsi

Bernhardt and Sophie Gottlieb Award
Expertise in areas outside medicine
Ryan John Mackey

Medical Alumni Association Award
Outstanding community service and commitment
Alyssa Dzik

Medical Alumni Association Dean’s Award
Participation in extracurricular activities in the medical school while maintaining a high standard of academic excellence
Andy James Vega Medina

Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award
Exemplary compassion and sensitivity in the delivery of care
Alyssa Diane Reese

Merck Academic Excellence Award
Outstanding academics coupled with noteworthy humanism and leadership
Allison Chowdhury
Cody Anthony Manzanero
Teresa Ruth Pullano
Rachel Eden Williams

James Platt White Society Award
Intellectual vigor and moral courage
Ricki Chen
Meghan Rose Long

Harold J. Levy Award in Psychophysiological Medicine
Worked to make a positive difference on the well-being of fellow medical students
Sarah Maria Andres

Roy E. Seibel Sr., MD, Medical School Award
Academic excellence and outstanding character
Itai Bezherano

Wendel Award in Wellness and Inclusion
Presented to a student who has worked to advocate for their peer’s inclusivity or wellness
Claire Irene Sucharski

Carosella Award
Strength of character, personal integrity, academic achievement
Elizabeth Ann Crinzi