— College of Medicine — Admissions — Academic Programs — MD-PhD Program — Current Scholars — Program Awards

Program Awards

Each year, the MD-PhD Scholars Program recognizes students for their contributions to the program based on involvement, presentations, and mentorship. These awards are announced at the annual MD-PhD retreat in August and MD-PhD graduation dinner in April.

Dr. Debra Romberger Dedicated Student Award

The Dr. Debra Romberger Dedicated Student Award recognizes a rising second-year (M2) or third-year (G1) MD-PhD Scholar who has shown outstanding service and dedication to improving the MD-PhD program as well as demonstrating involvement with their medical school class and the community. Scholars are evaluated for the award by the MD-PhD directors.

2022: Anna Kosmach
2021: Linda Huynh
2020: Maggie Rempe
2019: Caitlin Molczyk
2018: Stephen Haller
2017: Laura Flores

Vice Chancellor of Research/Dr. Larsen Young Physician-Scientist Award of Excellence

The Vice Chancellor of Research/Dr. Larsen Young Physician-Scientist Award of Excellence recognizes the rising fourth-year MD-PhD Scholar (G2) who presents the best research poster at the annual MD-PhD retreat. Poster presentations are evaluated by faculty at the retreat, and the award is given to the student who is judged to have the best poster in scientific merit and quality of the presentation, including both visual and verbal presentation as well as the ability to answer questions.

2022: Calvin Lam
2021: Nozima Aripova
2020: Nicholas Mullen
2019: Stephen Haller
2018: Cassie Liu

Dean of the College of Medicine/Dr. Britigan Physician-Scientist Award of Excellence

The Dean of the College of Medicine/Dr. Britigan Physician-Scientist Award of Excellence recognizes an MD-PhD Scholar graduating with their PhD (M3) who presents exceptional scholarly research work accomplished during graduate school. Scholars are evaluated by the Dean of the College of Medicine, Dean Britigan, with additional feedback from students and faculty as needed, and the award is given based on student presentation at the MD-PhD annual retreat with consideration for their accomplishments and service during graduate school.

2022: Pauline Xu, PhD
2021: Yoni Herskovitz, PhD
2020: Joseph Carmicheal, PhD

Dr. Shelley D. Smith Most Outstanding Grand Rounds Presentation

The Dr. Shelley D. Smith Most Outstanding Grand Rounds Presentation award recognizes the pair of MD-PhD Scholars who presented the best Grand Rounds from the academic year. Each Grand Rounds presentation is presented by one student in their clinical clerkship years (M3/M4), who presents a clinical case, and one student in their graduate school years (G1-G4+), who presents a research correlation. Grand Rounds presenters are evaluated by their peers following each Grand Rounds presentation, and the award is given to the team whose presentation is judged the best in medical and scientific merit as well as quality.

2022: Yoni Herskovitz, PhD, and Nozima Aripova
2021: Joseph Carmicheal, PhD, and Heidi Vieira
2020: Constance Mietus, PhD, and Stephen Haller

John M. Morrison, MD, PhD Mentoring Student Award

The John M. Morrison, MD, PhD Mentoring Student Award recognizes the MD-PhD Scholar in their clinical clerkship years (M3/M4) who has been an exemplary mentor to students in the program, both formally and informally. The award is given based on nomination by peers, which is then reviewed by the directors of the program.

2022: Joseph Carmicheal, MD, PhD
2021: Constance Mietus, MD, PhD
2020: Richard (Lee) Sleightholm, MD, PhD