Honors Convocation Lauds Class of 2025 MD Candidates

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
Adam Abbas
Madison Ballacchino
Emily MacDonald

Department of Emergency Medicine Scholastic Award
Outstanding academic record in emergency medicine
Kaylee Hausrath

Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Award
Excellence in emergency medicine
Mary Kneer

American Academy of Family Physicians President’s Award
Outstanding academic record and a commitment to practice family medicine
Courtney Olbrich

Charles Bauda Award
Academic excellence during third year
Madeline Champagne-Shafer
Alejandro Falca-Jimenez
Rebecca Hartling
Noor Khechen 

G. Norris Miner Memorial Award
Demonstration of outstanding clinical competence in family medicine
Sasha Kogan

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

Bukowski Award
Characteristics of high integrity, loyalty, thoughtfulness and thoroughness
Clayton Brady

Patrick Costello Award
Achieved highest grade on the written exam for internal medicine
Jared Gurba

David K. Miller Prize in Medicine
Competence, humility and humanity in caring for the sick
John Etter

Stephen J. Paolini Award
Best exemplified the qualities of dedication and compassion that Dr. Paolini personified
Lily McGovern

Emilie Davis Rodenberg Memorial Award
Demonstrated strong interest in the study of diabetes
Dominick Calavano
Madeline Champagne-Shafer

Harry E. and Loretta A. Jordan Award
Recognizes a student for noteworthy investigation of cancer and neoplastic disease
Michelle Qiu

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

American Academy of Neurology Student Prize for Excellence
Sustained interest and excellence in neurology
Lindsey Dressler

Bernard H. Smith Memorial Award in Clinical Neurology
Most outstanding performance in the neurology clerkship
Connor Ullery

Hans J. Lowenstein Award in Obstetrics
Most outstanding clinical work
Katelyn Donnolly
Rose Durnell
Hannah Lane

Clyde L. Randall Society Award
Demonstrates diligence, integrity, scholarship and leadership
Mackenzie Cronin

Dr. Thomas J. Guttuso Award
Academic excellence in ophthalmology
Daniel Lai

Harry E. and Loretta A. Jordan Award
Proficiency in ophthalmology
Paul Schiffmacher

E. J. Weisenheimer Award
Excellence in scholarship and patient care in ophthalmology
Gretchen Weiss

Dr. Benjamin E. and Lila Obletz Prize
Academic achievement and interest in orthopaedic surgery
Maxwell Scott

Department of Otolaryngology Chairman’s Award
Demonstrated outstanding achievement in otolaryngology
Beatrice Bacon

Morris and Sadie Stein Award
Excellence in neuroanatomy
Natalie Guzelak
Connor Ullery

Children’s Hospital Prize
Excellence in understanding childhood diseases
Caitlin Chunco

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

Frederick B. Wilkes Pediatric Award
Dedication to patients and the field of pediatrics
Lindsey Euscher

Gilbert M. Beck Memorial Prize in Psychiatry
Academic excellence in psychiatry
Nicholas Young

S. Mouchly Small, MD Award
Ability to relate well to patients, faculty and staff
Jamie Haggerty

Farney R. Wurlitzer Prize
Outstanding work in psychiatry
Arianna Hughes

Dr. George Alker Award
Excellence in radiology
Natalie Guzelak

Buffalo Surgical Society Prize in Surgery
Academic excellence in the clinical years
Joseph Iskander

Department of Surgery Chair’s Award
Superior clinical performance and the highest score on the surgery exam
Connor Ullery

Dr. Heinrich Leonhardt Prize in Surgery
Academic excellence 
Lindsey Nitsche

Bacelli Award
Most outstanding research by a medical student
Lindsey Nitsche

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
Maxwell Scott

Erika Bruck Award
Research or thesis based on concepts of the basic sciences as applied to a clinical problem
Sarah Choudhury 

Research Honors Awards
A commitment to excellence in research during medical school
Adam Hesham Abbas
Kelvin Anderson
Eylon Jonathan Arbel
Beatrice Rose Bacon
Daniel James Baetzhold
Ascharya K. Balaji
Madison MacKay Ballacchino
Dominique Rachel Betterbed
Kwaku Bonsu
Jamie Joe Bousleiman
Alexandra Nicole DiVasta
Ifeoma Nneoma Ezeilo
Benjamin Christopher Graham
Justin Im
Nathaniel Iskhakov
Joseph Samir Iskander
Arsh Issany
Marissa D. Kruk
Catherine Lawton
Paul Mercado
Lindsay Joyce Nitsche
Courtney Lynn Olbrich
Dominique Faye Revan
Paul Joseph Schiffmacher
Maxwell Martin Scott
Olivia Virginia Waldman

Thesis Honors Awards
Outstanding research supported by a written thesis satisfying the school’s highest standard
Sarah H. Choudhury
Regina M. Cooper
Emily Maroun Hannah
Cathleen Chenyu Kuo
Bernard Klortia Okai
Shefalika Prasad

Dr. Avery Ellis Memorial Award
For work advancing the curriculum or implementing a new and lasting school initiative
Danielle Falkenstein

Dr. James Goldinger Curriculum Leadership Award
Leadership, enthusiasm and a dedication to teaching
Mackenzie Cronin

National Medical Association Award
Excellence in scholarship, leadership and commitment to community service
Nathaniel Graves

John Paroski, MD Memorial Award
Compassion and excellence in patient care
Patrick Forrestel

Philip P. Sang Memorial Award
Ability to relate well to patients, faculty and staff
Shefalika Prasad

Dr. Karen Schupak Memorial Medical Student Award
Demonstrates a high degree of empathy when working with patients
Sarah Choudhury
Courtney Olbrich

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
Madeline Champagne-Shafer

Elizabeth Award
Unusual compassion and a noteworthy personal and professional sense of integrity and ethics
Sasha Joseph

Bernhardt and Sophie Gottlieb Award
Expertise in areas outside medicine
Iryna Dovirak

Colonel and Mrs. Robert C. M. Liu Award
Demonstrated commitment to the US military through family or personal service
Scott Anderson

Medical Alumni Association Award
Outstanding community service and commitment
Justin Im

Medical Alumni Association Dean’s Award
Participation in extracurricular activities in the medical school while maintaining a high standard of academic excellence
Lauren Todoro

Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award
Exemplary compassion and sensitivity in the delivery of care
Lily McGovern

Merck Academic Excellence Award
Outstanding academics coupled with noteworthy humanism and leadership
Colleen Barrientos
Kathryn Hobika
Arsh Issany
Catherine Lawton

James Platt White Society Award
Intellectual vigor and moral courage
John Etter
Nathaniel Graves

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

Roy E. Seibel Sr., MD, Medical School Award
Academic excellence and outstanding character
Amanda Szarzanowicz 

Wendel Award in Wellness and Inclusion
Presented to a student who has worked to advocate for their peers' inclusivity or wellness
Shady Albakry 

Carosella Award
Strength of character, personal integrity, academic achievement
Alex Reardon