Honors Convocation Lauds Class of 2026 MD Candidates

By Keith Gillogly

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

Lieberman Award
Interest in and aptitude for the study of anesthesiology
Joseph Robert Current
John Robert Kraus

Department of Emergency Medicine Scholastic Award
Outstanding academic record in emergency medicine
Theresa Elizabeth Gossel

Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Award
Excellence in emergency medicine
Elizabeth Kay Altman

American Academy of Family Physicians President’s Award
Outstanding academic record and a commitment to practice family medicine
Rachael Lynn Kueker

Charles Bauda Award
Academic excellence during third year
Elisha Earley
Jade Edwards
Hannah Grace Granger
Rae Ann Hermans
Jesse Michael Kozub

G. Norris Miner Memorial Award
Demonstration of outstanding clinical competence in family medicine
Lucas Antonio Sepe

Mark A. Petrino Award
Demonstrated interest and aptitude for the general practice of family medicine
Bailey Michael Majtyka
Wady Jacoby

Bukowski Award
Characteristics of high integrity, loyalty, thoughtfulness and thoroughness
Elizabeth Li-Hua Chow
Grace Faulkner

Patrick Costello Award
Achieved highest grade on the written exam for internal medicine
George Elia Ghanatios

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

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

Emilie Davis Rodenberg Memorial Award
Demonstrated strong interest in the study of diabetes
Mara Devia
Evan Manak Sood

Harry E. and Loretta A. Jordan Award
Recognizes a student for noteworthy investigation of cancer and neoplastic disease
Nuuh Abdikadir Sidali

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

American Academy of Neurology Student Prize for Excellence
Sustained interest and excellence in neurology
Hannah Foster
Anna Marie Szombathy

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

Philip P. Sang Memorial Award
Ability to relate well to patients, faculty, and staff
Hannah Foster

Hans J. Lowenstein Award in Obstetrics
Most outstanding clinical work
Madison Amber Clague
Daniela Rosa Falcone
Sydney Marie Johnson

Clyde L. Randall Society Award in Gynecology-Obstetrics
Demonstrates diligence, integrity, scholarship and leadership
Juliana Marie Greene

Dr. Thomas J. Guttuso Award
Academic excellence in ophthalmology
Sinan Ersan

Harry E. and Loretta A. Jordan Award
Proficiency in ophthalmology
Eric Antonio Lovett, Jr.

E. J. Weisenheimer Award
Excellence in scholarship and patient care in ophthalmology
Baltaj Singh Sandhur

Dr. Benjamin E. and Lila Obletz Prize
Academic achievement and interest in orthopaedic surgery
Emily Vallee

Department of Otolaryngology Chairman’s Award
Demonstrated outstanding achievement in otolaryngology
Erin Marie Gawel

Morris and Sadie Stein Award
Excellence in neuroscience
Elizabeth Li-Hua Chow

Children’s Hospital Foundation Prize
Excellence in understanding childhood diseases
Walker Patrick Black

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

Frederick B. Wilkes Pediatric Award
Dedication to patients and the field of pediatrics
Joseph F Wahba

Pediatric Chair Award
Excellence in pediatrics
Katherine Joan Kolodziej

Gilbert M. Beck Memorial Prize in Psychiatry
Academic excellence in psychiatry
Taylor Victor Camelo

S. Mouchly-Small, MD, Award
Ability to relate well to patients, faculty and staff
Andrew David Gasper

Farney R. Wurlitzer Prize
Outstanding work in psychiatry
Lovejit Singh

Dr. George Alker Award
Excellence in radiology
Zakwan Uddin

Buffalo Surgical Society Prize in Surgery
Academic excellence in the clinical years
Macrae Alexander Kozody

Department of Surgery Chair’s Award
Superior clinical performance and the highest score on the surgery exam
Kelsey Rose Shank

Dr. Heinrich Leonhardt Prize in Surgery
Academic excellence 
Benjamin Scott Dale

Bacelli Award
Most outstanding research by a medical student
Henry Avetisian

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
Nitya Jaya Murali

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

Research Honors Awards
A commitment to excellence in research during medical school
Arshia Arjomandi
Henry Avetisian
Patricia Sofia Corujo Avila
Justin Baroukhian
Ivette Chen
Chloe Jordan Cottone
Benjamin Scott Dale
Sinan Ersan
Hendrick Ben Francois
Erin Marie Gawel
Jason Gershgorn
Elissa Goorman
Ariel Joy Harsinay
Eric Antonio Lovett, Jr.
Megan Drew Malueg
Chloe Constatine McQuestion
Janine Meurer
Jacob Froehlich Mogerman
Evan Manak Sood
Alexandra Rosalie Spath
Anna Marie Szombathy
Emily Vallee

Thesis Honors Awards
Outstanding research supported by a written thesis satisfying the school’s highest standard
Daniela Rosa Falcone
Victoria Hoffman
Nitya Jaya Murall

Dr. Avery Ellis Memorial Award
For work advancing the curriculum or implementing a new and lasting school initiative
Madison Amber Clague
Daniela Rosa Falcone

Dr. James Goldinger Curriculum Leadership Award
Leadership, enthusiasm and a dedication to teaching
Allison McLean Thayer

National Medical Association Award
Excellence in scholarship, leadership and commitment to community service
Hendrick Ben Francois
Sydney Marie Johnson

John Paroski, MD, Memorial Award
Compassion and excellence in patient care
Bailey Michael Majtyka

Dr. Karen Schupak Memorial Medical Student Award
Demonstrates a high degree of empathy when working with patients
Maeanna Mary Merrill

Maimonides Medical Society Award
Most outstanding academic performance coupled with wisdom and compassion
Katherine Foote

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
Tara Ann Edwards

Elizabeth Award
Unusual compassion and a noteworthy personal and professional sense of integrity and ethics
Delaney Lenaghan

Bernhardt and Sophie Gottlieb Award
Expertise in areas outside medicine
Siana Elizabeth Jacobs

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

Medical Alumni Association Award
Outstanding community service and commitment
Andrew David Gasper

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

Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award
Exemplary compassion and sensitivity in the delivery of care
Grace Victoria Faulkner

Merck Academic Excellence Award
Outstanding academics coupled with noteworthy humanism and leadership
Walker Patrick Black
Elizabeth Li-Hua Chow
Joshua Maxwell Sorrentino
Anna Marie Szombathy

James Platt White Society Award
Intellectual vigor and moral courage
Joseph Robert Current
Nadine de Nijs

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

Roy E. Seibel Sr., MD, Medical School Award
Academic excellence and outstanding character
Megan Drew Malueg

Wendel Award in Wellness and Inclusion
Presented to a student who has worked to advocate for their peers' inclusivity or wellness
Karlie Gambino
Katherine Joan Kolodziej
Allison McLean Thayer

Carosella Award
Strength of character, personal integrity, academic achievement
Nuuh Abdikadir Sidali

Leonard Katz Award
Presented to an outstanding fourth-year medical student graduate who is a GHHS member and exhibits leadership, mentorship, and an impact on humanism in medicine
Amanda Bahgat