On May 5, ahead of commencement ceremonies, the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine held its annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony to celebrate outstanding faculty, staff and graduating students.
Class of 2022 award winners were recognized for their leadership, advocacy, and distinguished community service, and for their exceptional academic and professional achievements. During their four years at the college, the Class of 2022 graduates demonstrated an exemplary commitment to the osteopathic profession and to the people and communities they serve. Congratulations to the following students on their well-deserved recognitions:
The Richard L. Alper Memorial Award
Eliana Small, D.O.
Established in memory of Richard L. Alper, who died in a tragic plane crash in 1975, shortly before his graduation. Presented to a MSUCOM graduate for distinguished service to the community.
The Carnegie Medal for Academic Excellence
Gurveer Singh Deol, D.O. and Patrick Michael McBride, D.O.
Awarded to graduating students with the best overall academic scores from non-clinical courses.
Family and Community Medicine Achievement Award for Clinical Performance
Elisabeth “Lissie” Andreas Arndt, D.O., Ph.D.
Awarded to the graduating student who has most clearly exemplified an ongoing interest and proficiency in the field of family medicine.
Dean’s Recognition Award
Sydney Miller, D.O.
Presented to the graduate who has demonstrated leadership and advocacy for the college and the osteopathic profession and who exemplifies the best professional qualities of osteopathic physicians.
The Donna Jones-Moritsugu Award
Mrs. Courtney Webster, spouse of Court Webster, D.O.
Awarded to the spouse of a graduating student who best exemplifies the role of a professional’s partner.
The Annette Kabara Family Memorial Endowed Award
Elizabeth Marie Ping, D.O.
Awarded to graduating students who are parents having faced special challenges.
Veronica M. Maher – J. Justin McCormick DO/PhD Award
Mohamad “Mustafa” Ahmadzai, D.O., Ph.D.
The DO/PhD Program was co-directed by Drs. Maher and McCormick who were world-renowned scientists. This award is presented to the graduate of the DO/PhD Program that best exemplifies their vision of a physician-scientist through exceptional scholarship and academic achievement, while also demonstrating leadership and advocacy for both scientific and osteopathic medical training.
The Paul S. McCord, D.O., Memorial Award
Samantha Lee Leadbetter, D.O.
Awarded to a graduating student on the basis of commitment to community service, primary care disciplines and service to medically underserved areas.
Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians Student of the Year Award
Madison Christine Gerish, D.O.
Awarded to a graduating student who has shown leadership, involvement and dedication to osteopathic family medicine.
The Michigan Osteopathic Association Outstanding Graduating Senior Award
John Jeffrey Italiano, D.O.
Awarded to a student in good academic standing who is actively involved in the MOA, AOA, SOMA or student government, and who has made significant extracurricular contributions to the college.
Walter C. Mill, D.O., FACOS, Award for Excellence in Surgery
Alexandra Sasha Laykova, D.O.
Awarded to the graduating student who best exemplifies excellence in surgery, the surgical subspecialties and anesthesiology.
Fred L. Mitchell Sr., D.O., FAAO, Memorial Award
Amy Freeland, D.O., Maria Gligor, D.O., Beth Sara Schwartz, D.O.
Awarded to graduating students for exceptional achievement in the field of osteopathic manipulative medicine.
The Clinical Neuroscience Award
Saiishitha Nalamolu, D.O.
Awarded to the graduating student who has shown the most promise in didactic training and clinical skills in neuroscience.
Osteopathic Profession Service Award
Elisabeth “Lissie” Andreas Arndt, D.O., Ph.D. and Navin Neil Abro, D.O.
Presented to the graduates who have promoted the college and the osteopathic profession through public service and community engagement.
The Judith K. Weiswasser Memorial Award
Tabtila Rahman Chowdhury, D.O.
Established in memory of Judith K. Weiswasser, who died in a tragic plane crash in 1975, shortly before her graduation. This award recognizes MSUCOM graduate deemed to be outstanding academically, professionally and personally.
In addition to student awards, there were several faculty and staff awards, voted on by the Class of 2022. Congratulations to the following faculty and staff for providing extraordinary training and support to our future osteopathic physicians:
Basic Science Faculty Award
Carolina Restini, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology
Awarded to a faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in teaching basic science and seeks to integrate basic science education with clinical medicine.
Clinical Science Faculty Award
David Strobl, D.O.
Professor, Osteopathic Medical Specialties
Awarded to a faculty member who is deemed the best role model and instructor of clinical medicine.
Dedication to Teaching Award
Stephen DiCarlo, Ph.D.
Professor, Physiology
Awarded to a faculty member who has demonstrated dedication to excellence in teaching integrated clinical science in system courses.
Distinguished Lecturer Award
Paul Kowalski, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Physiology
Awarded to the faculty member whose lectures are most clear, coherent, instructive and well presented.
Osteopathic Faculty Award
Lori A. Dillard, D.O.
Assistant Professor, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
Mark R. Gugel, D.O.
Associate Professor, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
Terri A. Steppe, D.O.
Assistant Professor, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
Awarded to faculty members for excellence in the teaching and practice of osteopathic manipulative techniques.
Student Support Award
Arie Armbruster, M.A.
Advisor, Academic and Career Advising
Debalina Bandyopadhyay, Ph.D.
Curriculum Development and Administrative Director
John Taylor, Psy.D.
Director, Wellness and Personal Counseling
Chinyere Tobias, M.D.,
Advisor, Academic and Career Advising
Brook-Lynn Vij, M.Ed.
Advisor, Academic and Career Advising
Awarded to faculty. staff and administrators who have worked above and beyond the call of duty to provide support and assistance to individual students or student organizations.