School of Medicine & Health Sciences hands out student and faculty awards at annual ‘Sophomore Awards’ ceremony

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Several UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences second-year medical students received awards on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at the School’s 2024 Sophomore Awards Ceremony. Academic, teaching, and service awards were awarded on behalf of the School and the North Dakota Medical Association, including:

North Dakota Medical Association Awards

Awarded to second-year students who were nominated by their M.D. Class of 2026 peers and recognized for outstanding performance in the following three curricular areas:

• Group Leadership and Professionalism – Miriah Forness, West Fargo, N.D.
  Engages in ethical conduct, facilitates group interaction and productivity, motivates others to learn, exhibits personal integrity, and interacts with others appropriately with respect and courtesy.

• Peer Teaching – Wyatt Hahn, Hutchinson, Minn.
  Outstanding contributions to the group’s database and facilitating group learning, skillful and accurate presentations, and willingness to assist fellow classmates to learn concepts they do not understand.

• Integration of Basic Science and Clinical Application – Tyler Mueller, Fargo, N.D.
  Ability to analyze problems, generate hypotheses, set priorities, test hypotheses and formulate alternative hypotheses, draw appropriate conclusions, and apply the knowledge to patient cases.

SMHS Academic Awards

The following awards are given to second-year medical students in recognition of their overall academic achievements:

• The DeBoer Memorial Award – Wyatt Hahn, Hutchinson, Minn.
  Given in memory of Mrs. Benjamin DeBoer and presented by the Department of Biomedical Sciences.
  
  
• Philip H. Woutat Memorial Scholarship Award – Miriah Forness, West Fargo, N.D.
  Presented by the Department of Biomedical Sciences on behalf of Mrs. Philip Woutat in memory of her husband for his service as a radiology instructor.

• William Eugene Cornatzer Award – Jaelyn Baisch, Eagan, Minn.
  Presented by the Department of Biomedical Sciences in memory of Dr. Eugene Cornatzer, founder and inaugural chair of the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and a pioneering and innovative leader in medical education and biomedical research.

• James Kelleher Award – Natalie Zinn, Lake Elmo, Minn.
  Presented by the Department of Biomedical Sciences in honor of Dr. Kelleher’s outstanding service to the School of Medicine & Health Sciences, and his dedication and contributions to the teaching of medical students.

SMHS Service Award

• Kevin Monk Award – Emilee Ohman, Corvallis, Ore.
  Given to a second-year medical student for outstanding service to the School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

SMHS faculty were also given Outstanding Teacher Awards by the first- and second-year medical student classes, including:

• Portrait Award – Lauren Huddle, M.D., Department of Pathology
  For outstanding support of students during their first two years of medical education.
• Golden Apple Awards (for excellence in teaching, given to the instructor whose teaching has had the greatest impact) –
• Nominated by Class of 2026: Susan Roe, M.D., Department of Pathology
• Nominated by Class of 2027: Kevin Whaley, M.D., Department of Biomedical Sciences

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Brian James Schill
Director, Office of Alumni & Community Relations
UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences
701.777.6048 direct | 701.777.4305 office
brian.schill@UND.edu  |  www.UND.edu