Awards

student, faculty and staff awards

At graduation and throughout the year, we recognize the members of our medical school community who go above and beyond the call of duty and show great promise as future leaders in the profession.

Many outstanding students, faculty, residents and alumni also are inducted into honor societies each year.

Annual Hooding Awards

American Academy of Pediatrics, Outstanding Pediatric Student Award

This award is presented by the Department of Pediatrics in the School of Medicine.

  • Ferdinand Cacho, 2019
  • Amanda Dave, 2018
  • Michelle LaFranchi, 2017
  • Erin Johnson, 2016
  • Amy Goldstein, 2015
  • Jennifer Rosin, 2014
  • Katie Halvorson, 2013
  • Molly Moriarty, 2012
  • Michael Long, 2011
  • Sarah Herby, 2010 
  • Andrew Nuibe, 2009 
  • Robyn Nolan, 2008
  • Jennifer Schroeder,  2007
  • Mary Bussey,  2006
  • Stephanie M. Hanson,  2005
  • Sara M. Huegli,  2004

Carole R. and Peter E. Doris Outstanding Student in Radiology

This award is for excellent performance by a student entering the field of radiology.

  • David Wessling, 2019
  • Ian Kozlowski, 2018
  • Nicholas Dueck, 2017
  • George Raymond Wong, 2016
  • Daniel Harwood, 2015
  • Caroline Cusack, 2014
  • Mark Tran, 2013
  • Natalie Braun, 2012
  • Adam Stibbe, 2011
  • Kaitlyn Weidenbach, 2010 
  • Brandon Newgard and Theodore Wissink, 2009 
  • Dawn Tanner, 2008
  • Julie Walter,  2007
  • Lincoln Wong,  2006 
  • Ryan P. Wippler,  2005
  • Janine Jham Morris,  2004

Dr. Adolph Sachs Award

Dr. Adolph Sachs received his medical degree from Creighton University in 1907. He then continued graduate work in Berlin, Vienna, London, Boston and New York.  Afterwards, he came back to Creighton University School of Medicine to teach. He was the president of Douglas County Medical Society, Nebraska State Medical Association, and Omaha Midwest Clinical Society.   

This award is presented to the senior student who has performed with extraordinary academic distinction during the four years in the School of Medicine.

  • Grant Wintheiser, 2019
  • Emily Bolton, 2018
  • Benjamin Packard, 2017
  • Brody Slostad, 2016
  • Anna Gary, 2015
  • David Stordahl, 2014
  • Joshua VanDerWerf, 2013
  • Nicholas Marinkovich, 2012
  • Ashley Lane, 2011
  • Brittany Willer, 2010 
  • Katherine Sramek, 2009
  • Michael Grant, 2008
  • Bishoy Zakhary,  2007
  • Eri Shimizu,  2006
  • John D. Klein,  2005
  • Janine Jham Morris,  2004

Dr. Frank Menolascino Department of Psychiatry Award

Dr. Menolascino was Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Creighton from 1989-1994. Frank was deeply committed to social justice, generous of his time and talent, and a highly regarded psychiatrist who contributed importantly to development of diagnostic and treatment modalities for persons suffering simultaneously from mental retardation and mental illness. He was an authority on mental illness in persons with mental retardation/developmental disabilities.

Dr. Menolascino developed a progressive regional system of support for persons with mental retardation that now serves as a model for programs around the world. A leading advocate of education rights and community based services, Dr. Menolascino promoted programs that would allow persons with mental retardation to remain in hometowns among family and friends rather than being put into institutions.

This award is for excellent performance by a senior student.

  • Sarah Sanders, 2019
  • Matthew Chapman, 2018
  • Laura Quennoz, 2017
  • Danielle Bell, 2016
  • Katrina Hickle-Koclanes, 2015
  • Stephen Marcoux, 2014
  • Tony Pesavento, 2013
  • John Daly, 2012
  • Amber Johnson, 2011
  • Marley Doyle, 2010  
  • Claudine Egol, 2009 
  • John Rudersdorf, 2008
  • Kerry-Ann Williams,  2007
  • Nadia Nassar,  2006
  • Kristin Chase Miller,  2005
  • Brian M. Waters,  2004

Some information about Dr. Menolascino taken from Psych.org

Dr. Michael J. Haller Family Practice Outstanding Student Award

In 1970, Creighton University School of Medicine established the Family Practice Division of the Department of Preventive Medicine. Dr. Michael J. Haller, M.D. was the first head of the department.  In August of that same year, an approved program began for training residents in family medicine. A Family Practice Clinic was opened at 3374 South 13th Street in Omaha, which was staffed by residents and which served not only to help alleviate the shortage of primary care physicians, but also as a developing ground for the new specialty of Family Practice. 

In June 1971 a “pilot program” was begun with Creighton interns at St. Joseph Hospital. Dr. Haller established a program of airplane flight instruction for interns and residents in order to make practice in a rural community more attractive. He believed that faster mobility to larger cities would increase the desirability of rural community medicine and may help alleviate the rural physician shortage in Nebraska and other Midwestern states. Creighton was the only medical school in the country to have such a program.

This award is given by the Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians to an outstanding senior student entering Family Practice

  • Laura Johnson, 2019
  • Jake Traxler, 2018
  • Mitchell Kohl, 2017
  • Mandy Dailey, 2016
  • Gretta Carroll, 2015
  • Sarah Grauman, 2014
  • Mark Novak, 2013
  • Jacob Miller, 2012
  • Danielle Wang, 2011
  • Eric Marty, 2010
  • Gabriel Harris 2009
  • Emily Anderson, 2008
  • Mel Roca,  2007
  • Paul Vu,  2006
  • Nicole D. Westfall,  2005 
  • Amy J. Edman,  2004

Dr. Simon L. Moskowitz Family Practice Award

This award goes to a senior student for excellence in medical studies, for involvement in family practice, and for motivation in family practice postgraduate study.

  • Paul Sliskovich, 2019
  • Kathryn Barta, 2018
  • Danika Peterson, 2017
  • Sarah Waterman, 2016
  • Sarah Stombaugh, 2015
  • Elizabeth Wooster, 2014
  • India Robinson, 2013
  • Nick Furlong, 2012
  • Renee Dentlinger, 2011
  • Sara O’Connell-Mayernik, 2010 
  • Kara Watterson, 2009 
  • Anthony Cook, 2008
  • Douglas Forgit,  2007
  • Kimberly Corral,  2006
  • Carrie L. Grady,  2005
  • Sandra B. Baumberger,  2004

Dr. Walter J. Holden Obstetrics and Gynecology Outstanding Student Award

The Holden award is for outstanding performance in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

  • Keith Vrbicky, 2019
  • Joe Haggerty, 2018
  • Lindsay Robinson, 2017
  • Sarah Schultz, 2016
  • Christine Livergood, 2015
  • Laura Brannen, 2014
  • Tienne Wong, 2013
  • Carrie Stoy, 2012
  • Amy Hammers, 2011
  • Amanda Oertli, 2010 
  • Laura Cudzilo, 2009 
  • Elizabeth Adams, 2008
  • Katie Fossen,  2007
  • Phoebe Hughes,  2006
  • Michael D. Stadler,  2005
  • Stuart V. Weatherwax,  2004

Internal Medicine Outstanding Student Award

  • Elizabeth Beck, 2019

John F. Sheehan Award for Excellence in Pathology

Dr. John F. Sheehan, a distinguished member of the Creighton Faculty since 1930, served as Chairman of the Department of Biology from the early 1940’s through the early 1950’s. As chair he was active in student activities, namely the Pasteur Club, the forerunner to the present Biology Club. During his tenure in the biology department, Dr. Sheehan taught courses in microtechnique, comparative anatomy and histology.

In 1964, he joined the Department of Pathology in the School of Medicine. Students often commented on his subtle humor and fairness. Although deaf since the age of 15, Dr. Sheehan effectively and affectionately communicated with students, faculty and friends. He was known as a gentleman and a gentle man. In the School of Medicine, he specialized in cytology and was an active faculty member until 1989 when he formally retired. He remained active as a researcher and consultant staying close to his many Creighton friends until his death at the age of 94.

  • Kayla Hoerschgen, 2019
  • Joseph Curran, 2018
  • Taylor Bronson, 2017
  • David Waters, 2016
  • Minh Yen Nguyen, 2014
  • John Carney, 2013
  • Nicholas Marinkovich, 2012
  • David Lynch, 2011
  • Michael Van Ness, 2010 
  • Matthew DeNicola, 2009 
  • Brian Nagao, 2008 
  • Brook Yuknis Lang,  2007
  • Eri Shimizu,  2006
  • Jill M. Briggs, 2005
  • Teresa L. Karre,  2004

Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award

This award is presented by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, for exceptional integrity, compassion, altruism, respect, and empathy toward patients.

  • Courtney Smith, 2019
  • Dr. Faiz Qadri, Faculty 2019
  • Sarah Pietruszka, 2018
  • Dr. Venkata Andukuri, Faculty 2018
  • Lich Pham, 2017
  • Dr. John Hurley, Faculty 2017
  • Caleb Van Essen, 2016
  • Dr. Marcus Balters, Faculty 2016
  • Claire Zach, 2015
  • Dr. Robert Garcia, Faculty 2015
  • Laura Brannen, 2014
  • Lee Morrow, M.D., Faculty 2014
  • John Carney, 2013
  • Tammy Wichman, M.D., Faculty 2013
  • Cole Deutz, 2012
  • Caron Gray P.hD, Faculty 2012
  • Thuy Koll, 2011
  • Kashmir Singh, 2010 
  • Shane Havens, 2009 
  • Anna Cook, 2008
  • Mary Rogers, 2007
  • Mackram Eleid,  2006
  • Richard K. Patch, III, 2005
  • Nicole A. Dubas, 2004

Outstanding Service to the School of Medicine

Presented by the Offices of Student Affairs and Medical Education

  • Robert Windisch, 2019
  • Elizabeth Null, 2018
  • Russell Goldstein, 2017
  • Sarah Mott, 2016
  • Stephen Brannan, 2015
  • Nicholas Ingraham, 2014
  • Eric Nitz, 2013
  • Jacob Miller, 2012
  • Laura McDermott, 2011
  • Thomas Highfill, 2010
  • Claudine Egol, 2009
  • Anna Cook, 2008
  • Kerry-Ann Williams, 2007
  • Adam Rudnick, 2006
  • Tracy M. Campbell, 2005
     

Presented by the Office of Medical Admissions (introduced in 2008)

  • Austin Pierce & Melissa Napoleon, 2019
  • Leonardo Rozal & Spencer Larson, 2018
  • Thomas Kang & Aparna Kailasam, 2017
  • Briana Bruce & Natalie Fleming, 2016
  • Sally Breining and Frank Soltys, 2015
  • Briana Scott and Timothy Smith, 2014
  • John Carney and Stephen Wilkinson, 2013
  • Nicholas Townley and Onaona Gurney, 2012
  • Richard Carlson, Jr., Patrick Horrigan and Amber Oberle, 2011
  • Kashmir Singh, 2010
  • Bojan Malmin and Allison van Haastert, 2009
  • Mary Skrypek and Ian Wilkofsky, 2008

Surgery Outstanding Student Award

This award is for the graduating senior student who most exemplifies the qualities of the surgeon - scholarship, integrity, and humane dedication to the surgical patient, his/her problems, and care.

  • Nara Tashjian, 2019
  • Katherine Karubus, 2018
  • Shelby Reiter, 2017
  • Anna Shure, 2016
  • Sean Judge, 2015
  • Nathan Boren, 2014
  • Amanda Ross, 2013
  • Brian Biggerstaff, 2012
  • Zachary Torgersen, 2011
  • Brittany Willer, 2010 
  • Joseph-Vincent Blas, 2009 
  • Scott Atay, 2008
  • Kathryn Davis,  2007
  • Jeffrey Scow,  2006
  • Jeremy D. Gates, 2005 
  • Jennifer M. Peter, 2004

Walter J. O'Donohue, Jr., MD Achievement Award

Dr. O’Donohue was professor of medicine at Creighton University School of Medicine and former chief of the Pulmonary/Critical Care Division. He served for 11 years as chair of the Department of Internal Medicine and 15 years as Internal Medicine Residency Program Director. He was the associate dean for Graduate Medical Education from 1998 until his death on July 22, 2002.

Walter held key leadership roles in numerous national organizations, including the American Thoracic Society, American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), National Board for Respiratory Care, American Lung Association, and the AMA. He chaired the Council of Governors and was elected to the Board of Regents of the ACCP. He was past president of the Metropolitan Omaha Medical Society.  Dr. O’Donohue contributed 150 scientific publications, edited four books, and gave more than 300 national/international presentations. He served on the Board of Hope Medical Outreach and cosponsored an annual wild game dinner for underprivileged boys and their fathers. Always a gentleman and a scholar, Walter was a mentor to many and friend to all. His legacy lives on in those he taught and in the lives he touched.

This award is for the senior student whose academic excellence, altruism, and high ethical standards demonstrate the legacy of Dr. Walter J. O’Donohue.

  • Alexandra Abbate, 2019
  • Elida Voth, 2018
  • Joel Fuchs, 2017
  • Maureen McElligott, 2016
  • Roy Norris, 2015
  • Melanie Miller, 2014
  • Katie Marshall, 2013
  • Sara Walz, 2012
  • Meghan Scheibe, 2011
  • John Ratelle, 2010 
  • Joseph-Vincent Blas, 2009 
  • Tanya Tajouri, 2008
  • Lucy Esberg,  2007
  • Ross Pacini,  2006
  • Meena Murugappan,  2005
  • Aaron W. Michels, 2004

William Albano Award - Surgery

This award is presented by the Department of Surgery for outstanding research activity.

  • Margaret Siu, 2019
  • Stephanie Holzmer, 2018
  • Daniel Kirkpatrick, 2017
  • Caleb Van Essen, 2016
  • Sean Judge, 2015
  • Ryan Trowbridge, 2014
  • Michael Pham, 2013
  • Anders Davidson, 2012
  • Zach Torgersen, 2011
  • Brittany Willer, 2010 
  • John Morrison and Stephanie Worrell, 2009 
  • Travis Grotz, 2008
  • Erin O’Neill and Kinjal Shah,  2007
  • Anouki Karu,  2006
  • Jordan G. van Beever,  2005
  • Raj V. Kakarlapudi,  2004

Phoenix Regional Campus Awards

Department of Family Medicine Award

This award is presented by the School of Medicine on the Phoenix Campus for Outstanding Student in Family Medicine:

  • Marcus Fearing, 2019
  • Lauren Glaser, 2018
  • Joshua Blessing, 2017
  • Anna Jones, 2016
  • Kaitlyn Losey, 2015
  • Susanne Alcudia, 2014

Department of Internal Medicine Award

This award is presented by the School of Medicine on the Phoenix Campus for Outstanding Student in Internal Medicine:

  • Taesoo Kim, 2019
  • Santi Karnam, 2018
  • Morgan Whigham, 2017
  • Michael Lehrer, 2016
  • Natalie Como, 2015
  • Kevin Quinn, 2014

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Award

This award is presented by the School of Medicine on the Phoenix Campus for Outstanding Student in Obstetrics & Gynecology:

  • Nina Zook, 2019
  • Ciera Oshodi, 2018
  • Victoria Lim, 2017
  • Paula Olivieri, 2016
  • Anna Gary, 2015
  • Lindsay Emerick, 2014

Department of Pediatrics Award

This award is presented by the School of Medicine on the Phoenix Campus for Outstanding Student in Pediatrics:

  • Courtney Smith, 2019
  • Caitlin Billingham, 2018
  • Mallory Taylor, 2017
  • Sara York, 2016
  • Natalie Como, 2015
  • Brittany Boswell, 2014

Department of Psychiatry Award / Jason P. Caplon Psychiatry Excellend Award

This award is presented by the School of Medicine on the Phoenix Campus for Outstanding Student in Psychiatry:

  • Phoebe Hua, 2019
  • Matthew Chapman, 2018
  • Jennifer Leavitt, 2017
  • Samuel Murray, 2016
  • Andrea Lundberg, 2015
  • Dylan Kathol, 2014

Department of Surgery Award

This award is presented by the School of Medicine on the Phoenix Campus for Outstanding Student in Surgery:

  • Anthony Strada, 2019
  • Nicole Roby, 2018
  • Nicholas Peters, 2017
  • Julia Coughlin, 2016
  • Jonathan Dameworth, 2015
  • Nicholas Matthees, 2014