School of Medicine Alumni Association welcomes new doctors, recognizes achievements

The School of Medicine Alumni Association welcomed 132 new members on Friday, June 2, as the Class of 2017 and faculty members were recognized for outstanding achievement.

Chancellor Michael F. Collins reminded the students that as they enter the profession, they carry with them the responsibility and privilege of caring for their patients and, by extension, their families.

“Ours is a very unique opportunity in the lives of our patients. That opportunity is to provide that caring touch that only a physician can provide,” Chancellor Collins said.

Terence R. Flotte, MD, the Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor of Medical Education, executive deputy chancellor, provost and dean of the School of Medicine, took a moment to remind students that practicing medicine is a team sport. He encouraged them to remain optimistic about the future and not give in to the voices of negativity and to burnout.

“Despite all the challenges we face, there has never been a better time to be a physician than right now, in this very moment,” Dean Flotte said, citing significant medical advancement in research and treatments. The dean added that this generation of doctors is very much needed and wanted.

Irvin N. Heifetz, MD, SOM ’79, immediate past president of the UMass Medical School Alumni Association, welcomed the class to the association, bringing its membership to more than 4,000.

Dr. Heifetz told the students that as they head to residencies throughout the country, they might feel anxious, they can rest assured that they are ready.

“UMass alumni are known as the most outstanding residents throughout the country. With our alumni now topping 4,000, it is a great milestone to have so many graduates practicing in the exemplary ways,” he said.

During the ceremony, the following awards and recognitions were presented to students:

Chancellor’s Award
Geneva DeGregorio

The Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award as presented by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation
Jessica Long

United States Public Health Service 2017 Excellence in Public Health Awards
Jessica Long

Jacob Brem Pediatric Award
Michaela Tracy

New England Pediatric Society Award
Lev Gorfinkel

Marianne Felice Adolescent Health Award
Kate Stanton

Excellence in Obstetrics & Gynecology Award
Christina Kunycky

American Academy of Neurology Medical Student Prize for Excellence in Neurology
Simona Nedelcu

UMass Surgical Award for Excellence in Student Clinical Performance
Gregory Keefe

UMass Surgical Society Award for Excellence in Surgical Education:
Jeffrey Brady

Association of Academic Surgery Student Research Award
Jasmine Khubchandani

Department of Medicine Award for Outstanding Performance in Medicine
Geneva DeGregorio

Department of Medicine Award for Outstanding Clinical Performance in Medicine
Rachel LeBlanc

SAEM Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award
Courtney Temple

Aaron Lazare Award for Psychiatry
Mark Fusunyan
Taylor Young

John S. Efstathiou Memorial Award
Casey Hamilton
Nicholas Lunig
Patrick McGuire
Tyler Mehegan
Katherine Tang
Courtney Temple
Michaela Tracy

Ann Nemitz Memorial Award
Molly Cook
Gillian Griffith

Sarah Stone Memorial Award
Sydney Greenberg

Gary D. Winzelberg, MD, ’74 Memorial Award
Zachary Demma

Kristen M Ettensohn Memorial Award for Medical Excellence through Advocacy, Art and Athletics
Valerie Valant

Outstanding House Officer Awards
Brandon Colvin, MD
Michael Gagnier, MD
Gregory Leslie, MD
Marcus Ortega, MD