Graduation

  • On stage at UB’s Center for the Arts, MD candidates from the Class of 2026 were recognized for their array of achievements in education, service, research, and patient care. 

    Honors Convocation Lauds Class of 2026 MD Candidates

    By Keith Gillogly

    Published May 8, 2026

    To celebrate award-winning MD candidates from the Class of 2026, the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences’ annual Honors Convocation took place May 1 at UB’s Center for the Arts on North Campus.

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

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    Departmental Awards

    Department of Anesthesiology

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

    Department of Emergency Medicine

    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

    Department of Family Medicine

    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

    Department of Medicine

    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

    Department of Medicine — Pediatrics

    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

    Department of Neurology

    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

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

    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

    Department of Ophthalmology

    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

    Department of Orthopaedics

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

    Department of Otolaryngology

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

    Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences

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

    Department of Pediatrics

    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

    Department of Psychiatry

    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

    Department of Radiology

    Dr. George Alker Award
    Excellence in radiology
    Zakwan Uddin

    Department of Surgery

    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

    Research Awards

    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

    Association Awards and Memorials

    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

    Medical School Awards and Dean’s Awards

    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

    Medical Honor Societies

    Richard Sarkin/Emeritus Faculty Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society

    Amanda Bahgat
    Rachel Berger
    Janus Chan
    Madison Amber Clague
    Elisha Earley
    Daniela Rosa Falcone
    Hendrick Ben Francois
    Karlie Gambino
    Juliana Marie Greene
    Max William Hernandez
    Sydney Marie Johnson
    Kyle Kenyon
    Rachael Lynn Kueker

    Juliana Marie Larson
    Delaney Lenaghan
    Maeanna Mary Merrill
    Janine Muerer
    Ali Muhammed Khan
    Fabrizio Angelo Passalacqua
    Tyler Michael Pauly
    Brendan Raymond Perreault
    Baltaj Singh Sandhur
    Joshua Maxwell Sorrentino
    Alexandra Rosalie Spath
    Emilee Brooke Stenson
    Allison McLean Thayer
    Zakwan Uddin

    Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

    Daniel Cole Adelsberg
    Henry Avetisian
    Tamari Bekauri
    Elizabeth Li-Hua Chow
    Madison Amber Clague
    Chloe Jordan Cottone
    Joseph Robert Current
    Benjamin Scott Dale
    Sinan Ersan
    Daniela Rosa Falcone
    Erin Marie Gawel
    Jason Gershgorn
    Juliana Marie Greene
    Adam Matthew Greenstein
    Samantha Gregoire
    Holly Ann Houenstein
    Sydney Marie Johnson
    Katherine Joan Kolodziej
    Macrae Alexander Kozody
    Michael Anthony LaRock
    Eric Antonio Lovett, Jr.
    Madelyn Lorene Lux
    Megan Drew Malueg

    Spencer David Maranto
    Daniel Ferris Maywalt
    Benjamin Edward Mazur
    Mason Jude McMullen
    Chloe Constatine McQuestion
    Michel Andres Padilla Mazzeo
    Alexandra Marie Pado
    Tyler Michael Pauly
    Brendan Raymond Perreault
    Jack Andrew Reeves
    Alaina Catherine Richards
    Amelia Ellen Simpson
    Evan Manak Sood
    Joshua Maxwell Sorrentino
    Alexandra Rosalie Spath
    Anna Marie Szombathy
    Michael Toledano
    Emily Vallee
    Jeremy Ian Wells

    Latin Honors

    Henry Avetisian
    Clay T. Baron
    Joseph Robert Current
    Nadine de Nijs
    Karlie Gambino
    Andrew David Gasper
    Ethan Hutchins
    Sydney Marie Johnson
    Kyle Kenyon
    Kerryann Koper
    Kelly Ailsa Nealon
    Andrew Pichai Ngov
    Sara Irene Nieto
    Alexandra Marie Pado
    Karen M. Stephenson
    Daniel Philip Sullivan
    Umair A. Syed
    Ian W. Wallis
    Tenzin Yongye
    Sam Zheng
    Nana Fosu Aikins
    Leah Simone Bernacki
    Taylor Victor Camelo
    Madison Amber Clague
    Owen Cordaro
    Benjamin S. Dale
    Devin DeCotes
    Abbigail Cady Delmonte
    Tara Ann Edwards
    Theresa Elizabeth Gossel
    Holly A. Houenstein
    Siana Elizabeth Jacobs
    Georgia A. Kyriacou
    Juliana M. Larson
    Benjamin E. Mazur
    Michel Andres Padilla Mazzeo
    Fabrizio Angelo Passalacqua
    Jack Andrew Reeves

    Amelia Ellen Simpson
    Joshua Maxwell Sorrentino
    Emilee B. Stenson
    Daniel Cole Adelsberg
    Shaia Eliana Bierman-Chow
    Elizabeth Li-hua Chow
    Chloe J. Cottone
    Sinan Ersan
    Daniela Rosa Falcone
    Grace Victoria Faulkner
    Hannah Foster
    Erin Marie Gawel
    Jason Gershgorn
    George Elia Ghanatios
    Hannah Grace Granger
    Juliana Marie Greene
    Adam Matthew Greenstein
    Samantha Gregoire
    Katherine Joan Kolodziej
    Macrae Alexander Kozody
    Michael A. LaRock
    Madelyn Lorene Lux
    Megan Drew Malueg
    Spencer D. Maranto
    Daniel F. Maywalt
    Mason McMullen
    Chloe Constatine McQuestion
    Tyler Pauly
    Brendan Raymond Perreault
    Alaina Catherine Richards
    Lucas Antonio Sepe
    Evan Manak Sood
    Alexandra Rosalie Spath
    Anna Marie Szombathy
    Michael Toledano
    Emily Kathryn Vallee
    Joseph F. Wahba
    Jeremy Ian Wells

Earlier Graduations