Doctor of Medicine Class of 2017 Award Winners

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

5-15-2017

Campus Unit

School of Medicine & Health Sciences

Abstract

GRAND FORKS, N.D.—Medical students of the M.D. Class of 2017 and faculty of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences were recognized by the School at the Commencement Awards presentation on Sunday, May 14.

The North Dakota Medical Association Awards

Presented to three outstanding students in the class

Cassandra P. Cross, Oregon City, Oregon

Alec E. Ganske, Mankato, Minnesota

Kyle E. Rudningen, Clearwater, Minnesota

North Dakota District Medical Society Awards

Given by the district medical society on each campus to the student who best exemplifies high scholarship and characteristics of integrity, leadership, and initiative

First District, Fargo

Marcus J. Geffre, Mayville, North Dakota

Third District, Grand Forks

Amy R. Borys, Cando, North Dakota

Fourth District, Minot

Zachary G. Fowler, Minot, North Dakota

Sixth District, Bismarck

Scott M. Poswilko, Dickinson, North Dakota

University Alumni Special Awards

For special service to the School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Bryan P. LaBore, Bismarck, North Dakota

Laura M. Morgan, Thompson, North Dakota

Brynn E. Stenehjem, Borup, Minnesota

North Dakota Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians Scholarship Award

Awarded to a senior medical student who is entering an emergency medicine residency and ultimately a career in emergency medicine

Amy R. Borys, Cando, North Dakota

Kokila and Raman Patel, M.D., Family Practice Award

Given by the Tioga (N.D.) Medical Center to a senior who has been accepted into a family medicine residency in North Dakota and who has shown a strong interest in rural health

Ashley M. Horner, Valley City, North Dakota

Laura Ehmann Memorial Pediatric Scholarship Award

Given by Darcy and Mary Ehmann as a living memorial to their daughter, Laura Marie, and a tribute to an extraordinary child who died at a young age, awarded to a senior student who is entering a pediatric residency and ultimately a career in pediatric medicine

Kelsey M. Gladen, Wahpeton, North Dakota

Dr. Nadim and Rola Kanafani Koleilat Award

Presented to a senior medical student who has demonstrated the most humanistic character, who conducts herself or himself with high integrity, and who will relate to patients with sincere expressions of compassion and respect

Rebecca A. Asp, Hankinson, North Dakota

Dr. John Wahl Memorial Rural Health Scholarship Award

Given by parents and family members in memory of John Wahl, M.D., to a senior medical student who has demonstrated an interest in practicing rural medicine in North Dakota and who has demonstrated an interest in practicing rural medicine in North Dakota and who has shown a capacity for compassionate and dedicated family practice

Brady L. Junes, Menahga, Minnesota

Welsh Award

Presented to a medical student who demonstrates academic excellence through the completion of a research project with preference given to those students who have conducted a research project in the anatomical sciences

Jamie L. Odden, Fargo, North Dakota

Laurel L. Wessman, Fargo, North Dakota

Tiongson Humanities Award

Presented to a graduating senior medical student in recognition of the student’s continuing involvement in and appreciation of the arts and humanities

Bryan P. LaBore, Bismarck, North Dakota

Dr. Marlin H. Poindexter Outstanding Pediatric Student Award

In memory of former Fargo Clinic pediatrician Dr. Marlin H. Poindexter, the Poindexter family and Sanford Health pediatricians have established a medical student education award fund. Presented to a student who proved to be outstanding during the third-year pediatric clerkship on the Southeast Campus and who has chosen pediatrics as a career

Rebecca A. Asp, Hankinson, North Dakota

Robert C. Painter, M.D., Internal Medicine Award

Awarded to a senior medical student who exhibits scholastic achievement and the attributes of conscientious concern for the patient, exceptional communication skills, and a caring, humanistic personality as exemplified by Dr. Painter throughout his 40-year career

Wesley J. Halseth, Minot, North Dakota

Lloyd S. Ralston, M.D., Memorial Endowment Award

Given by Mrs. Lloyd (Ruth) Ralston in memory and honor of her husband to a senior medical student who best displays Dr. Ralston's dedication to excellence, respect for the intrinsic dignity of each patient, and the ability to apply basic science thoughtfully and critically to clinical practice

Kara Prussing, Bismarck, North Dakota

Dr. Louis B. and Thelma K. Silverman Medical Award

Given by the late Thelma K. Silverman in loving memory of her husband and in recognition of his many professional contributions to the community, given to a graduating senior who shows an interest in becoming a pediatrician and who has the qualities of compassion, dedication, integrity, leadership, and interest in community service as exemplified by Dr. Silverman

Hasanga Samaraweera, Fargo, North Dakota

Altru Clinic Senior Medical Student Fund Award

Awarded to students who display excellent scholarship, character, leadership, and integrity in recognition of physicians who have worked for the Altru Clinic (formerly Grand Forks Clinic)

Malia B. Grosskreutz, Honomu, Hawaii

Christopher D. Hellekson, Billings, Montana

Anna C. Stecher, Bismarck, North Dakota

American College of Physicians—Department of Internal Medicine Mack V. Traynor Award

Given for outstanding humanistic qualities and scholastic excellence to a senior student who has chosen internal medicine as a career

Ethan T. Kraft, Fargo, North Dakota

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Senior Award

Given for scholastic excellence and exceptional clinical potential to a senior student who is pursuing a career in obstetrics and gynecology

Ryder S. Bekkedahl, Fargo, North Dakota

Bradley Neil Meyer, M.D., Diagnostic Radiology Award

Awarded to a senior medical student who exhibits leadership qualities, scholarship, and cultural understanding of the impact of technology and radiologic imaging in patient care and the medical community, given in honor of Dr. Meyer, the award recognizes his influence in North Dakota as a visionary radiologist and an articulate steward of critical information for the benefit of patients and clinicians

Tanner C. Anderson, Drayton, North Dakota

Department of Surgery Senior Award

Awarded to a senior student who demonstrates excellent capabilities in the specialty of surgery

Amy R. Borys, Cando, North Dakota

Wayne M. Swenson, M.D., Award for Teaching Excellence

Awarded to a surgical faculty member who has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in medical student education. Presented in honor of Dr. Wayne M. Swenson of Bismarck, who continues to be an example for teaching excellence

Aaron J. Chalmers, M.D., UND SMHS Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery and alumnus (M.D. Class of 2007), Bismarck, North Dakota

Richard P. Stadter Excellence in Psychiatry Award

Awarded in Dr. Richard Stadter's memory to recognize a senior medical student who is planning on a career in psychiatry and who, during the third-year clerkship, exemplified a basic understanding of psychiatric disorders as well as an ability and willingness to respond to the needs of the patients with whom he or she worked

Sejal J. Parikh, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Joy M. Query Prize for Social and Behavioral Science

Awarded in honor of Dr. Joy Query to a student who has shown outstanding scholarship during the third-year clerkship in behavioral science

Christopher D. Hellekson, Billings, Montana

The Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award

Given to a graduating medical student and a medical school faculty member to recognize compassion and sensitivity in the delivery of care to patients and their families, presented by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation

Brandon L. Potter, Denver, Colorado

Jennifer D. Raum, M.D., UND SMHS Clinical Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and alumna (M.D. Class of 2001), Fargo, North Dakota

William Crozier and Edith Magwood Fawcett Faculty Enhancement Award

Given in memory of William Crozier Fawcett, M.D., and his wife Edith Magwood Fawcett, for the purpose of acknowledging excellence in teaching, research and service, in doing so, this award will build on the proud tradition of attracting and retaining top-quality dedicated faculty members who are essential to maintaining the high-quality education offered to medical students at the school of Medicine and Health Sciences

Patrick A. Carr, Ph.D., UND SMHS Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences and Assistant Dean for Faculty Development, and Director of Education Resources, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society Recognition

Rebecca A. Asp, Hankinson, North Dakota

Amy R. Borys, Cando, North Dakota

Cassandra P. Cross, Oregon City, Oregon

Jason A. Duchscherer, Bismarck, North Dakota

Alec E. Ganske, Mankato, Minnesota

Marcus J. Geffre, Mayville, North Dakota

Malia B. Grosskreutz, Honomu, Hawaii

Wesley J. Halseth, Minot, North Dakota

Christopher D. Hellekson, Billings, Montana*

Brent J. Klinkhammer

Mahnomen, Minnesota

Ethan T. Kraft

Fargo, North Dakota

Lucy B. Ledyard, Whitefish, Montana

Kyle E. Rudningen, Clearwater, Minnesota*

Anna C. Stecher, Bismarck, North Dakota

Christopher J. Traynor, Fargo, North Dakota

Laurel L. Wessman, Fargo North Dakota

*selected during their junior year

Alpha Omega Alpha Junior Student Recognition

Whitney L. Bettenhausen, Mandan, North Dakota

Gregory J. Wieland, Casselton, North Dakota

Alpha Omega Alpha Faculty Recognition

Stephanie M. Hanson, M.D., UND SMHS Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Fargo, North Dakota

Matthew R. Nelson, M.D., UND SMHS Clinical Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Bismarck, North Dakota

Alpha Omega Alpha Volunteer Clinical Faculty Recognition

Rishi Seth, M.D., UND SMHS Clinical Instructor of Internal Medicine, Fargo, North Dakota

Alpha Omega Alpha Alumnus Recognition

Robert J. Olson, M.D., UND SMHS Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science and alumnus (M.D. Class of 1985), Fargo, North Dakota

Brenda K. Thurlow, M.D., UND SMHS Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and alumna (M.D. Class of 1999), Fargo, North Dakota

Alpha Omega Alpha Resident Recognition

Tae Ho Choi, M.D., Family Medicine, Minot, North Dakota

Katherine A. Senter, M.D., Surgery, Fargo, North Dakota

Balwinder Singh, M.D., M.S., Psychiatry, Fargo, North Dakota

Outstanding Teaching Awards

Presented to the outstanding clinical teacher on each campus, selected by senior students on those campuses

Kyle Russo, M.D., UND SMHS Clinical Assistant Professor of Radiology, Bismarck, North Dakota

Christopher H. Tiongson, M.D., UND SMHS Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and alumnus (M.D. Class of 1993), Fargo, North Dakota

Jonathan S. Haug, M.D., UND SMHS Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery and alumnus (M.D. Class of 2001), Grand Forks, North Dakota

David A. Billings, M.D., UND SMHS Clinical Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and alumnus (M.D. Class of 1992), Minot, North Dakota

Gold Humanism Honor Society Inductees (June 20, 2016)

Recognizes senior medical students who demonstrate exemplary humanism and professionalism throughout their medical education. Creation of the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences chapter was made possible by a grant from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation

Rebecca A. Asp, Hankinson, North Dakota

Amy R. Borys, Cando, North Dakota

Marcus J. Geffre, Mayville, North Dakota

Wesley J. Halseth, Minot, North Dakota

Heather L. Liebe, Cary, North Carolina

Brandon L. Potter, Denver, Colorado

Kara Prussing, Bismarck, North Dakota

Kyle E. Rudningen, Clearwater, Minnesota

Hasanga Samaraweera, Fargo, North Dakota

Mark W. Schlotterback, Billings, Montana

###

Contact

Denis F. MacLeod

Assistant Director, Office of Alumni and Community Relations

University of North Dakota

School of Medicine and Health Sciences

1301 N Columbia Road, Stop 9037 | Room W103 | Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037

701.777.2733 direct | 218.779.3107 cell

denis.macleod@med.UND.edu

www. med.UND.edu/

Share

COinS