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 Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the School’s 2025 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 – Freddie-Leigh Griffin, Mandan, N.D., and Ross Ogden, Tahlequah, Okla.
  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 – Cody Boyle, Grand Forks, N.D.
  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 – Matthew Gillen, Parker, Colo.
  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 – Brayden Groll, Dickinson, N.D.
  Given in memory of Mrs. Benjamin DeBoer and presented by the Department of Biomedical Sciences.
• Philip H. Woutat Memorial Scholarship Award – Jacob Teigen, 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 – Morgan Mastrud, Fargo, N.D.
  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 – Brian Olson, Lakeland, 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 – Bianca Savant, Chicago, Ill.
  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 – Kara Eickman, M.D. - Director, SMHS Simulation Center
  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 2027: Richard Clarens, Pharm. D., Education Resources
• Nominated by Class of 2028: Kevin Whaley, M.D., Department of Pathology

Above and Beyond Award

Finally, the Above and Beyond Award was given to Tom Peterson, facilities and safety coordinator for the SMHS. This new award is presented to a member of the School’s staff or faculty who “has consistently gone above and beyond in their commitment to creating a safer, more welcoming, and more efficient environment for the entire school community.”

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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