Loma Linda University School of Medicine’s Senior Awards Banquet is a time to reflect and honor graduating medical students. Award recipients were recognized for high achievement in academics, leadership and research.
The 2026 Senior Awards Banquet is scheduled for May 20, 2026 in Wong Kerlee International Conference Center.
President's Award
The President's Award, established in 1960, is presented in recognition of superior scholastic attainment and active participation in the student community, within the framework of Christian commitment. One recipient is selected from each school of the University.
Zachary Brandt
Dean’s Award
The Dean's Award is presented in recognition of a student that has shown outstanding academic accomplishments in addition to exemplifying the mission of Loma Linda University School of Medicine to Make Man Whole through their service to patients, fellow students, and professional community.
Katya Hannessian
School of Medicine Awards
Established in 2022, these are presented in recognition of graduates who have exhibited exceptional leadership, extraordinary service, and genuine commitment to engaging in the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Recipients are recognized in diverse leadership roles.
Academic Achievement Award: ShengYing (Angela) Chen, Dahyeon (Esther) Kim, Kai Nguyen
Impact on the World Leadership Award: Anthony Baca
Clinical Scientist Award: Jacob Razzouck
Physician Scientist Award: Patricia Principe Mamani
Service to Our School Award: Derran Bedward, Quinlan Morrow
Wholeness and Engagement Mission Award: Jairo Campos Aguilar, Joelle Schauer
Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society
Fourth year students are recommended for membership in the national honor medical society, Alpha Omega Alpha. Membership is determined based on scholastic, professional, and personal performance. The School of Medicine was granted a charter for establishing the Epsilon Chapter on April 1, 1957.
Derran Bedward, Mina Botros, Zachary Brandt, Madeline Carritte, Davis Carter, Mei Chin Carter, Shengying Angela Chen, Pedro Choque, Ruben Crew, Alexis Duke, Katya Hanessian, Joseph Hemry, Henry Hongo, Dahyeon Kim, Catherine Kwitnieski, Wheddy Laguerre, Danielle Liu, Jessica Lutz, Daniel Morales, Kai Nguyen, Brandon Park, Kenneth Park, Patricia Principe, Shelly Rauser, Jacob Razzouk, Collin Robins, Daniel Roh, Grant Sajdak, Kate Santoso, Jessica Sawaya, Jared Scott, Hannah Sloan, Rachel Taylor, Johnna Torres, Jordan Whittles, Lauren Wilson, Kevin Zhang, Michael Zhang
Gold Humanism Honor Society
Recognizes students, residents and faculty who are exemplars of compassionate patient care and who serve as role models, mentors, and leaders in medicine.
Anthony Baca, Derran Bedward, Zachary Brandt, De’Andre Brown, Melody Joy Drummond, Eden B’Dacy, Davis Carter, Brianna Egan, Katya Hanessian, Henry Hongo, Kelsey Johnson, Catherine Kwitnieski, Lauren Martin, Daniel Morales, Quinlan Morrow, Atieno Mpyisi, Kai Nguyen, Joshua Oommen, Tristan Penson, Hannah Perez, Gillian Ramirez, Joelle Schauer, Forrest Zackary Sheperd, Alexander Soloniuk, Lianna Taffe, Johnna Torres, Adele Zhang
Alumni Association’s Herber Award
Marilyn Dart Herber '58 is a second-generation graduate of Loma Linda University School of Medicine. With only four women classmates, she developed a strong sense of dedication to helping women get into medical school and then guiding them into all specialties. She hosted a dinner in her home for 25 years where women alumni could meet with women medical students to give them advice on integration of home, family and practice. The School of Medicine Alumni Association Award is given to students who demonstrate outstanding leadership in furthering the mission of Loma Linda University School of Medicine.
Hannah Kim, Henry Hongo, Jayda Burton, Jordan Whittles, Kelsey Johnson, Liana Taffe, Madeline Nichols, Patricia Carlson, Stephanie Whittles
Class of 1990 Heart for Service Award
Established and funded by the class of 1990, the Heart for Service Award is given to senior medical students who exemplifies the character of Christ and demonstrates a commitment to service, either at home or abroad.
Melody Joy Drummond and Tristan Penson
Wil Alexander Whole Person Care Award
The Wil Alexander Whole Person Care Award recognizes a senior medical student who has demonstrated to their peers and colleagues, during their clinical years, a growing excellence in the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational care of their patients as part of the art of medical practice.
Joseph Hemry
DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS
Department of Anesthesiology
Bernard D. Briggs Award - For nearly six decades, Bernard D. Briggs '40 taught and mentored anesthesiology students and residents at Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston) and Loma Linda University School of Medicine. The Department of Anesthesiology, which he helped establish in 1957, is now recognized as a leading resident training center in the United States. The Bernard Briggs Award is presented by the department to an outstanding medical student entering the field of anesthesiology who exhibits the dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment of the visionary physician for whom it is named.
Davis Carter
Department of Emergency Medicine
3 a.m. Award - Presented to the student who most embodies the work ethic, positive attitude, and spirit of collegiality that makes the department grateful to be working next to them at all hours in the emergency department.
Bruna Stoco-Miguelez
Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Award is offered to each medical school in the United States and Canada. It is awarded to the senior medical student who best exemplifies the qualities of an emergency medicine physician, as manifested by excellent clinical, interpersonal and manual skills, and a dedication to continued professional development leading to outstanding performance on emergency medicine rotations.
Hannah Sloan
Department of Family Medicine
Walter P. Ordelheide Award - Walter P. Ordelheide '54 served as department chair from March 1, 1981, to October 30, 1989. As the founding father of the Department of Family Medicine, he was an exemplary leader and role model for students. He continues to emulate the true spirit of the healing physician through his work as a missionary. In keeping with the style of Dr. Ordelheide's practice in medicine, we have established this award of distinction.
Catherine Kwitnieski and Joelle Schauer
Brockman Penner Endowed Scholarship - This fund will provide scholarships to enrolled medical students in good standing, commitment to residency in Family Medicine, demonstrate financial need, show merit through leadership and work ethic, and are Christian.
Tristan Penson
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Harold E. Ziprick Award - Harold F. Ziprick '37 served as a professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Loma Linda University School of Medicine from 1963 to 1983, and as chair of the department from 1970 to 1979. This award, named in his memory, is in recognition of his dedication to superior medical education. Dr. Ziprick was a pioneer in establishing many of the training programs in gynecology and obstetrics, which continue to this day.
Rachel Lorson
Department of Medicine
Daniel D. Comstock Award - This award is given to the senior medical student with the highest grade in medicine. Dr. Comstock had the distinction of serving as chair of the Department of Medicine the greatest number of years - from 1919 to 1948 - a total of 29 years. During his years of leadership, a remarkable medicine curriculum was established that remained virtually unchanged for 50 years! This curriculum prepared the students to excel on board exams and produced outstanding interns.
Henry Hongo
Donald E. Griggs Award - This award is given to the senior medical student with the highest grade in clinical rotations in medicine. Soon after Donald E. Griggs '24 graduated, he and his bride, Loice, became missionaries to China, where he developed a life-threatening infection that resulted in the amputation of his left forearm. Returning to the United States, he spent the rest of his life working for his alma mater. Although he was chair of the Department of Medicine for several years, he is best remembered as chief of the cardiology division.
Joshua Oommen
Harold J. Hoxie Award - This award is given to a senior medical student for exceptional performance in medicine with emphasis on research. Immediately after finishing his internal medicine residency, Harold J Hoxie '33 became head of the clinical training of CME students at the Los Angeles County General Hospital. He organized the teaching rounds, student case presentations, grand rounds and resident teaching conferences with the assistance of many excellent volunteer faculty. He was also considered an excellent diagnostician, consulting in many difficult patient cases.
Hannah Sloan and Jayda Burton
Varner J. Johns Jr. Award - This award is given to a senior medical student who is recognized as an outstanding student with the potential of becoming a future faculty member in the Department of Medicine. Dr. Johns graduated in the class of 1945 and later served as chair of the Department of Medicine for many years. His interest and encouragement to many medical students and residents greatly contributed to those individuals joining the faculty of the medical school. Dr. Johns was himself clearly recognized as an outstanding teacher and supporter of the School of Medicine.
Maya Paniagua and Maverick Marpa
Department of Neurology
Guy M. Hunt Award - Guy M. Hunt '42 taught medical students in neurology and anatomy at Loma Linda University School of Medicine from 1945 to 1992 and was awarded the School of Medicine's Distinguished Service Award in 1997. Dr. Hunt created innovative educational techniques such as showing his own movies of patients to help correlate neuroanatomy with clinical neurology. His passion for education led him to devote significant portions of his clinical income toward the teaching of neuroanatomy.
Collin Robins
AAN Medical Student Prize for Excellence -The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Medical Student Prize for Excellence is presented to the medical student who combines outstanding academic achievement and the spirit of gentle caring and shows promising career potential in neurology as seen by their institution’s faculty and residents.
Alexis Duke
Department of Ophthalmology
Ernest Zane Award - Ernest Zane’ 56 was “Doctor Loma Linda”, serving at this institution for 52 years. He was an amazing teacher and mentor, strongly advocating for medical student and resident education. The Dr Zane “Resident Teacher of the Year” award was created in his honor; he was also the 2016 Honored Alumnus. Dr Zane was a guiding force in the rebirth of the Department of Ophthalmology in 1999, serving as interim Department Chair. The Ernest Zane Award is given to an outstanding medical student entering the field of Ophthalmology who exemplifies a commitment to mission service and a deep interest in continuing the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ.
Shelly Rauser
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Christopher M. Jobe Award - Christopher Jobe ‘75 Aff joined Loma Linda University Orthopaedics in 1983, after completing AO and Sports Medicine fellowships and served as the department chair from 2000-2010. Among his many professional positions, he was president of the American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons in 2007-2008. He pioneered the concept of “internal impingement” where pain is generated fromabnormal contact between the rotator cuff and glenoid rim. He is a consummate teacher, a curious researcher, and an original writer. He is a pioneer of MSK Ultrasound for orthopedic surgeons and published a book on its use. After retiring from surgical practice, he continues to teach MSK Ultrasound to residents and students. The phrase that best concisely describes Dr. Jobe is: He is a Christian and he is a Scientist. This award is presented by the department to an outstanding student entering the field of orthopaedic surgery who embodies the dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment of the physician for whom it is named.
Zachary Brandt
Department of Pathology – College of American Pathologists (CAP) Distinguished Medical Student Award
This award recognizes the senior medical student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement, aptitude, and initiative in learning about pathology and acquiring the knowledge and skills to become an exceptional future pathologist.
Alexander Soloniuk
Department of Pediatrics
Robert F. Chinnock Award - Robert F. Chinnock '44-A was the first chair of the Department of Pediatrics, from 1949 to 1975, in the School of Medicine with formal training in pediatrics. Dr. Chinnock was a brilliant hard-working individual who had intolerance for mediocrity and had a love for excellence. He loved to teach and motivate students who held him in awe because of his demand for excellence. He established the first camp for children with diabetes in California, which is still held each summer in our local mountains. When his untimely death in 1975 occurred, the pediatric faculty established a Robert F. Chinnock award in his honor. This award is given to the senior medical student who shows outstanding performance in pediatrics.
Cherisse Tompkins
Soo Y. Kim, M.D., Senor Award for Exemplary Whole Person Care in Pediatrics
Grant Lander
Department of Preventive Medicine
Dysinger Family Preventive Medicine Award - The Dysinger Family Preventive Medicine Award is bestowed on medical students who demonstrate – through clerkship performance, interest group leadership, and residency choice – that they value disease prevention, population health, and the use of lifestyle medicine in disease treatment. The Award is in memory of Stephen Dysinger, who passed away in 2006 at age 13 years from a rhabdomyosarcoma. The award was set up by his grandfather, P. William Dysinger, MD, MPH, who helped found the Loma Linda University School of Public Health. His son, Wayne S. Dysinger, MD, MPH, was chair of the Preventive Medicine Department at the Loma Linda University School of Medicine for twelve years, taught Preventive Medicine to a generation of medical students, and helped establish the sub-specialty of Lifestyle Medicine and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
Zachary Sheperd
Department of Psychiatry
Benjamin Kovitz Award - This award is named for Benjamin Kovitz, MD, who has been a professor in the School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry since 1963. Dr. Kovitz' clinical skills, superb teaching, research contributions and role model have made him revered in the department and recognized nationally and internationally for his lifetime of contributions to psychiatry and society. This award is presented to a senior medical student who has demonstrated qualities of leadership and scholarship in the field of psychiatry.
Daniel Morales
Department of Radiology
Distinguished Student in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Awards -These awards are given to students who are devoted to the field of radiology as evidenced by their distinguished service, exceptional performance, and commitment to pursuing radiology as a career.
Mei Carter (Diagnostic Radiology Award)
Mark Oliinik (Interventional Radiology Award)
Department of Surgery
David B. Hinshaw Sr. Award - This award given by the Department of Surgery honors David B. Hinshaw Sr.'47, former department chair, Dean of the School of Medicine and Chief Executive Officer of Loma Linda University Medical Center. Dr. Hinshaw was the single individual most responsible for the relocation of the School of Medicine from Los Angeles to the Loma Linda campus in 1962. He has provided leadership through all phases of the development of our academic medical center as we know it today. Dr. Hinshaw devoted a great deal of his time to training general surgeons and to medical student education. The Hinshaw Award is presented to a senior student who has demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership and scholarship, and who is entering a categorical surgery residency program with the intention of pursuing a career in general surgery.
Patricia Carlson
Department of Urology
Roger W. Barnes Award - This award in honor of Roger W. Barnes '22 is presented to a senior student who has demonstrated to an unusual degree, qualities of compassion, kindness, and humility - as exhibited by the physician and teacher for whom the award is named.
Gillian Ramirez
Departmental Advising Award
The Departmental Advising Award is given annually by the Dean's Office to the clinical department that has provided outstanding career counseling and extraordinary support to help students achieve their career aspirations.
Residents of the Year Award
The Office of Medical Student Education started this award in 2015 to recognize the residents who exemplify professionalism and superb teaching skills.