SMHS hands out student and faculty awards at annual ‘Sophomore Awards’ ceremony

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Several second-year medical students at UND's School of Medicine & Health Sciences received awards on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at the School’s 2026 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 2028 peers and recognized for outstanding performance in the following three curricular areas:

• Group Leadership and Professionalism – Patrick Mullon
  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 – Jack Ommen
  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 – Olivia Murdoff and Alexander Upton
  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 – Camille Klindworth
  Given in memory of Mrs. Benjamin DeBoer and presented by the Department of Biomedical Sciences.

• Philip H. Woutat Memorial Scholarship Award – Jason Martin
  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 – Nathaniel Hensel
  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 – Jacob Wieland
  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 – Camille Klindworth
  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 2028: Richard Clarens, Pharm. D., SMHS Education Resources
  • Nominated by Class of 2029: Jane Dunlevy, Ph.D., Department of Biomedical Sciences

“It is an honor and a privilege to recognize just a few of the outstanding students and faculty we get to work alongside, every day,” said Pat Carr, Ph.D., the School’s associate dean for medical education who presented a number of the awards. “These individuals, along with their peers, represent the kindness, generosity, service and ability that we, as North Dakotans, value, and possess in abundance.”

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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