Event Program

MD Recognition Ceremony Program

Order of Exercises

Presenting the Graduates

Awards and Prizes

Class of 2024 Oath

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Order of Exercises

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Presenting the Graduates

Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees

Doctor of Medicine and Master of Business Administration Degrees

Doctor of Medicine and Master of Population Health Sciences Degrees

Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health Degrees

Doctor of Medicine and Master of Science in Clinical Investigation Degrees

Doctor of Medicine Degree

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Awards and Prizes

American Academy of Neurology Medical Student Prize for Excellence in Neurology
Awarded for excellence in clinical neurology, outstanding scientific achievement and clinical acumen in neurology or neuroscience, and personal integrity, compassion
and leadership.

• Rachel Butler

American College of Physicians Clerkship Award
This award was established in 1992 and recognizes a student completing the third year of study with meritorious achievement in the Internal Medicine Clinical Clerkship.

• Sarah Fracasso-Francis

American College of Physicians Michael M. Karl, MD, Book Award
Presented annually to a member of the graduating class committed to a career in internal medicine, in recognition of highest achievement in the field of internal medicine.

• Zachary Neronha

Ruth Bebermeyer Award
This award honors her many years of service to the Alumni Association and to the students of the School of Medicine. It is awarded to a student who has shown extraordinary kindness and sensitivity to the needs of others.

• Arohi Saxena

The Alexander Berg Prize
Awarded to the student presenting the best results in research in molecular
microbiology.

• Kevin Tamadonfar

The James and Philip Brasington Memorial Prize
Awarded to a medical school student who has demonstrated excellent preclinical and clinical academic performance in psychiatry and who has the potential to make significant contributions to the field.

• Hana Hajda

Jacques J. Bronfenbrenner Award
Provided by Dr. Bronfenbrenner’s students in memory of his inspiration as a teacher and a scientist, and awarded to a member of the graduating class who, as judged by the Department of Internal Medicine, has done the most outstanding work in infectious diseases or related fields.

• Larissa Lushniak

Dr. Richard S. Brookings Medical School Prizes
These prizes were provided through a bequest of Robert S. Brookings in honor of his father, Dr. Richard Brookings, to recognize outstanding student performance in medical school curriculum.

• Mackenzie Lemieux
• Kaamya Varagur
• Lydia Zhong

Dr. Richard S. Brookings Medical School Prize
Provided through a bequest of Robert S. Brookings to recognize meritorious research in medical school. The Committee on Fellowships and Awards selects
this recipient.

• Elizabeth Cordell

Dr. Harvey Butcher Prize in Surgery
Awarded annually in memory of Dr. Harvey Butcher to a member of the graduating class who, as judged by the Department of Surgery, shows the greatest promise for general surgery.

• Paighton Miller

Robert Carter Medical School Prizes
These prizes were provided through a bequest of Robert S. Brookings in honor of his maternal grandfather Robert Carter, an industrialist and farmer, to recognize outstanding student performance in the medical school curriculum.

• Karlee DeMonnin
• Hannah Truong
• Larissa Lushniak

Robert Carter Medical School Award
Provided for medical students through a bequest from Robert S. Brookings for meritorious performance and research in medical school. The Committee on Fellowships and Awards selects this recipient.

• Vikram Pothuri
• Kaamya Varagur

Class of 2001 Award
Recognizes outstanding performance in the aras of community service and student
group activities during the first two years of medical school.

• Frances Avila-Soto
• Shireen Roy

Class of 2003 Award
Awarded to a first year student recognized by peers as being selfless, exceptionally
kind to others, and dedicated to the highest standards in medicine, traits for which
these classmates will be remembered.

• Christina Su
• Cassidy Tran
• Justin Chang

F. Sessions Cole Award in Pediatrics
The Cole award is presented annually to a senior medical student entering the field
of pediatrics who best embodies the mission of F. Sessions Cole, MD. Dr. Cole has been a physician scientist who continually embraces new and emerging technologies, in particular incorporating genomics into clinical care. He is a kind and caring mentor who provides honest and thoughtful appraisals and gives generously with his time. He is a master clinician who continually advocates for our smallest patients and supports their families, the hospital staff, and all of those who care for them, by going above and beyond what is expected. An omnipresent voice of wisdom, a motivator,and an inspiration to all.

• Jeffrey Hansen

Antoinette Frances Dames Award in Cell Biology and Physiology
Awarded annually to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated superior
scholarship in these fields.

• Vikram Pothuri
• Renee Wu

Elisabeth L. Demonchaux Prize in Pediatrics
Established in 1985, the prize is awarded annually to a graduating student who has done outstanding work in pediatrics.

• Cassidy Tran

Steven Dresler Prize
The prize is awarded to a student who has demonstrated a commitment to promoting social good, civil rights and civil liberties through social action and volunteerism.

• Drishti Sinha

Dr. William Ellis Award
Established in 1990 by Dr. Ellis and awarded to a senior student in recognition of meritorious research in ophthalmology.

• Rebecca Lin

EXPLORE Best Oral Presentation Award
The EXPLORE award for Best Oral Presentation is awarded to one student each year in
recognition of exceptional communication of a scholarly project in the form of a platform
presentation at the annual EXPLORE Symposium. This award recognizes clarity, skill, and
artistry in the presentation of complex study results.

• Sangami Pugazenthi
• Joshua Perez-Cruet

EXPLORE Best Abstract Award – Accomplishment
The EXPLORE award for best abstract—accomplishment—is given to the two students each
year who present the most compelling and complete story, and communicate their results
with the greatest skill at the annual EXPLORE Symposium.

• Isabella Gomes
• Rebecca Brady
• Jacob Strelnikov
• Jacob Bedia

EXPLORE Best Abstract Award – Promise
Each year the EXPLORE Program recognizes two students who demonstrate exceptional
promise in an early-stage project and clearly communicate the passion they have for their
work at the annual EXPLORE Symposium.

• Justin Sanchez
• Danny Bae
• Victoria Mityul
• James Berry

EXPLORE Distinction
The EXPLORE program awards Distinction to a small number of students each year who
demonstrate outstanding achievement as scholars in training. To earn Distinction,
students must propose a significant scholarly project, complete that project under the
close mentorship of one or more Washington University faculty members, and successfully
share their work with the field through avenues often including publication and formal
presentation. Distinction conferees are tested at each of these milestones, and emerge
ready to push forward at the edges of what is known.

• Caellagh Catley
• Karlee De Monnin
• Jake Hogan
• Grace Huang
• MaeMae Huang
• Rebecca Lin
• Yupeng Liu
• Larissa Lushniak
• Jordan Phillipps
• Arohi Saxena
• Alice Silberstein
• Emily Terian
• Lydia Zhong

George F. Gill Prize in Pediatrics
Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated superior scholarship in pediatrics.

• Jessica D’Addabbo

Gold Humanism Honor Society
Each of these students were nominated by their peers and selected by both faculty and
current GHHS members for their service as role models of humanism and service within
the School of Medicine.

• Frances Avila-Soto
• Caellagh Catley
• Favour Garuba
• Hana Hajda
• Ruple Jairath
• Mackenzie Lemieux
• Marina Perez-Plazola
• Shireen Roy
• Miguel San Miguel Benavides
• Christina Su
• Cassidy Tran
• Renee Wu
• Lydia Zhong

Alfred Goldman Book Prize in Diseases of the Chest
Created in 1972 as an annual award to be given to a student selected by the faculty for outstanding clinical work or research in diseases of the chest or pulmonary physiology.

• Zachary Neronha

Max and Evelyn Grand Prize
Established in 1985 by Dr. M. Gilbert Grand, the prize is awarded annually to a member of the graduating class for excellence in ophthalmic research or clinical ophthalmology.

• Lydia Zhong

Herrmann Prize
This prize was created by Dr. Paul Herrmann (MD ’61) and his wife, Susan, to recognize a student who is considered a thoughtful and sensitive communicator in the clinical arena and who exemplifies listening and communication skills every patient hopes their physician will possess.

• Elijah Farrales

Howard A. McCordock Prize in Pathology
Awarded to a member of the graduating class for general excellence in pathology.

• Jennifer Bentz

Louis and Dorothy Kovitz Senior Prize in Surgery
Senior award in surgery recognizing a member of the graduating class who has shown the most outstanding ability, zeal and interest in surgical problems.

• Vikram Pothuri

I. Wallace Leibner Award
Established in 1988 in memory of Dr. Leibner, the award is given to the member of the graduating class who has not only demonstrated excellence in diagnosis and therapeutics, but also an understanding of human nature and needs and an active nurturing of both patient and family.

• Larissa Lushniak

Irwin Levy Prize in Neurology and Neurological Surgery
This prize was established in 1980 by friends of Dr. Levy as a tribute to his commitment to clinical teaching. This prize is awarded to the student who presents the best performance in neurology and neurological surgery.

• Eve Moll

Edward Massie Prize for Excellence in Cardiology
Awarded to the member of the graduating class who, as judged by the Division of Cardiovascular Disease in the Department of Internal Medicine, has done the most
outstanding clinical or basic research work in the field of cardiovascular disease.

• Kristine (MaeMae) Huang

Medical Center Alumni Scholarship Fund Prize
Awarded annually to a student who has shown excellence in their work during the preceding year.

• Kevin Tamadonfar

Medical Fund Society Prize in Medicine
One prize awarded annually to a graduating student who has excelled in the study of internal medicine.

• Arwa Mohammad

Medical Fund Society Prize in Surgery
One prize awarded annually to a graduating student who has excelled in the study of surgery.

• Kaamya Varagur

Morton E. Smith Promise in Academic Medicine Award
This award was established in 2020 by the Washington University School of Medicine Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society in honor of Dr. Smith’s years of service as the chapter’s appointed Councilor. The award recognizes a student who has shown exceptional promise in academic medicine and exemplifies Dr. Smith’s passion for teaching, humility, kindness and good humor in working with their peers, faculty and staff.

• Evan Marsh

Doctor Helen E. Nash Academic Achievement Award
This award is given annually to a student who has exhibited an unusual degree of the qualities of industry, perseverance, determination and enthusiasm. The prize is given in honor of Dr. Helen Nash, a pediatrician noted in the St. Louis community for her commitment to excellence, tireless advocacy on behalf of children and endless enthusiasm for the field of medicine.

• Frances Avila-Soto

Nathan Edward Hellman, MD, PhD, Memorial Award
Awarded to a student with a strong track record of accomplishments and an interest in academic medicine, and whose humanism, collegiality, humor and compassion are an inspiration to members of the class.

• Maemae Huang

The Nash Family Pediatrics Award
Presented to the senior student showing the greatest promise in clinical pediatrics.

• Frances Avila-Soto

Dr. William A. Rubenstein Award in Medicine
This award is presented annually to a fourth-year student who shows a serious interest in pursuing a career in internal medicine and who demonstrates the exceptional qualities of a gifted physician, including compassion, caring and the pursuit of scientific knowledge.

• Erika Schneider-Smith

John R. Smith Memorial Fund Award
Created in 1982 and awarded to a medical student who has done meritorious clinical and/or research work in the Division of Cardiovascular Disease within the Department of Internal Medicine.

• JingJing Zhu

Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award
Based on demonstrated excellence in the specialty of emergency medicine, it is awarded to a senior medical student at Commencement.

• Karlee De Monnin

Samuel D. Soule Award in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Presented to a member of the fourth-year class for meritorious achievement in either basic or clinical investigation in obstetrics and gynecology.

• Drishti Sinha

Jessie L. Ternberg Award
This award is presented to a woman who best exemplifies Dr. Ternberg’s indomitable spirit of determination, perseverance and dedication to her patients.

• Emma Landes

Washington University Internal Medicine Club Research Award
Awarded to the member of the graduating class who has done the most significant research in any area of internal medicine.

• Jared Elenbaas

Samson F. Wennerman Prize in Surgery
Established by Samson F. Wennerman’s wife, Zelda E. Wennerman, and awarded annually to a fourth-year student who has demonstrated promise in the field of surgery.

• Ashley Huggins

Hugh M. Wilson Award in Radiology
Given annually to a graduating medical student in recognition of outstanding work in radiology-related subjects, either clinical or basic science.

• Michael Olufawo

The Wynder Prize for Preventive Medicine
An annual prize established in 1994 and awarded to senior medical students who have done the best research in preventive medicine.

• Jared Elenbaas

James Henry Yalem Prize in Dermatology
Established by Charles Yalem in memory of his son and awarded annually to a member of the fourth-year class for outstanding work in dermatology.

• Nora Alexander

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Class of 2024 Oath

TO MY PATIENTS I PLEDGE:
to see you as a person beyond your diagnosis;
to empathize with your lived experience and listen to your values;
to prioritize your comfort, safety, and autonomy;
to be grateful for the lessons you teach me and accountable for my mistakes;
and to make your health and wellness my priority.

TO MY PROFESSION I PLEDGE:
to be a positive force for change as an educator, advocate, and scientist;
to pursue ethical scholarship;
to collaborate with my interprofessional colleagues and trust their expertise;
to promote a supportive, diverse, and accountable culture;
and to leave the profession better than it was when I began.

TO SOCIETY I PLEDGE:
to recognize the role that our profession has played in perpetuating racialized and
gendered structural violence;
to actively interrogate and mitigate my biases;
to ally with those who are disenfranchised;
to derive my mission from the needs of the communities that I serve;
to promote health literacy and combat misinformation;
and to champion accessible, equitable, and sustainable care for all.

TO MYSELF I PLEDGE:
to consciously pursue my own wellness;
to be a lifelong student of medicine;
to reflect on my strengths and limitations and seek help along the way;
and to embrace the responsibilities, challenges, growth, and joy this journey will bring.

AS I CONTINUE THE STUDY OF MEDICINE, I TAKE THIS OATH FREELY AND UPON MY HONOR.

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