2024

Awards listed on this page reflect School-wide honors received in the 2024 calendar year by current members of the Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Dental Medicine, including faculty, staff, and students.

Daniel D. Federman Medical Education Awards

Harvard Medical School annually bestows teaching awards on its most outstanding teachers, who, through their excellence in teaching, will impact and influence the professional lives of students long after graduation. The awards presented at the Daniel D. Federman Medical Education Award celebration are HMS’ most visible recognition of the teaching accomplishments of a highly select group of the School’s leading medical educators and reflect, in a small but tangible way, how much teachers are valued by their students and by HMS.

This year’s Daniel D. Federman Medical Education Award celebration was held on October 22 at Harvard Medical School.

2024 Harvard Medical School recipients:

Donald O’Hara Faculty Prizes for Excellence in Teaching

The Faculty Prizes for Excellence in Preclerkship Teaching are named in memory of Donald O’Hara, PhD, who was a beloved teacher of Harvard medical students. Dr. O’Hara also served as one of the leaders of the New Pathway Chemistry and Biology of the Cell course and as co-director of the HST course titled Human Biochemistry and Metabolic Diseases. Dr. O’Hara was also a recipient of the Faculty Prize for Excellence in Teaching for his teaching of first-year medical students.

  • Henrike Besche, lecturer on cell biology, Harvard Medical School
  • Carolyn Come, lecturer on medicine, part-time, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Charles McCabe Faculty Prizes for Excellence in Teaching

The Faculty Prizes for Excellence in Clinical Teaching are named in memory of Charles McCabe, MD, who was a beloved teacher of Harvard medical students and who also served as the director of the Core Clerkship in Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital for more than two decades. Dr. McCabe was also a recipient of the Faculty Prize for Excellence in Teaching on multiple occasions for his teaching of third-year medical students.

  • Navin Kumar, assistant professor of medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
  • Tara Singh, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, Cambridge Health Alliance

Most Outstanding HMS Pathways Preclerkship Course Director

  • Barbara Cockrill, associate dean for faculty development in medical education and director of the Academy, Harvard Medical School
  • Keri Shafer, assistant professor of pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital

Most Outstanding HST Preclerkship Course Director

Most Outstanding Core Clerkship Site Directors

  • Alexandra Hovaguimian, assistant professor of neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • Natasha Johnson, associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
  • Yamini Saravanan, assistant professor of medicine, Cambridge Health Alliance
  • Leigh Simmons, assistant professor of medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital

Rising Star in Medical Education Award

  • Allison Kimball, assistant professor of medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital

Outstanding Innovation in Medical Education Award

  • Jean Klig, assistant professor of emergency medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital

Longitudinal Medical Education Award

  • Deborah Bartz, associate professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Outstanding Career Achievement in Medical Education

  • Cynthia McDermott, anatomist, Harvard Medical School
  • Katharine Treadway, Gerald S. Foster Academy Associate Professor of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Richard Schwartzstein, Ellen and Melvin Gordon Distinguished Professor of Medical Education, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Richard A. Gillis Award for Excellence in Medical Education

The Richard A. Gillis Award for Excellence in Medical Education was established in 2012 in memory of Rick Gillis (1953-2011), Executive Director of Curriculum Programs, whose 27 years of contributions to the MD program at Harvard Medical School exemplify the standards of excellence and the work ethic he inspired in those who were privileged to know him and to work with him. The award is given to a member or members of the HMS staff for their outstanding contributions to the educational mission of the School. This award serves as a reminder of Rick’s legacy and the critical role of staff in facilitating, in the words of his hero, President John F. Kennedy, “the infinite potential of the human mind that can be realized through education … [and that] can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our Nation.”

  • Jane Neill, associate dean for medical education planning and administration

2024 Harvard Affiliated Hospital recipients:

Leo A. Blacklow Teaching Award

The Leo A. Blacklow Award is presented annually to an outstanding teacher who holds joint appointments at Harvard Medical School and Mount Auburn Hospital. The award honors Dr. Leo A. Blacklow, MD ’30, who practiced family medicine in Belmont and at Mount Auburn Hospital. For over 60 years, he helped train residents and medical students while caring for five generations of families in Belmont and surrounding communities. Dr. Blacklow was a passionate advocate for education and an enduring role model for comprehensive and compassionate care for all.

Stephen B. Calderwood, MD, Medical Student Teaching Award

The MGH Stephen B. Calderwood, MD, Medical Student Teaching Award was established in 2021 and is awarded to the Harvard faculty member who has demonstrated the highest overall excellence in the teaching of Harvard Medical School students at MGH. This award is voted by medical students who complete the Principal Clinical Experience (PCE) at MGH and is the highest honor granted for undergraduate medical education at MGH. It replaces the former Bulfinch Award for Undergraduate Medical Education at MGH that was established in 2012.

  • Trevin Lau, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, Massachusetts General Hospital

Sandra and Arnold Gold Award for Humanistic Teaching

The Sandra and Arnold Gold Award for Humanistic Teaching at Cambridge Health Alliance is named in honor of Drs. Sandra and Arnold Gold and their remarkable decades-long contributions to humanistic medical education nationally and locally. The award will be presented annually to an inspirational HMS faculty educator at Cambridge Health Alliance who models compassion, integrity, respect, and service in teaching Harvard Medical School students, residents, fellows, or peers.

Bernard Lown Award for Excellence in Teaching

The Bernard Lown Award for Excellence in Teaching at Brigham and Women’s Hospital was established in 2010 to celebrate physicians who are outstanding clinical teachers and to recognize the very significant role that education plays in carrying out the BWH mission and the institution’s deep commitment to the next generation of clinicians. The award honors Dr. Bernard Lown, senior physician at BWH, Professor of Cardiology Emeritus at the Harvard School of Public Health, and founder of the Lown Cardiovascular Center and Lown Cardiovascular Research Foundation. A gifted clinician, renowned bedside teacher, and research pioneer, Dr. Lown was named Master Teacher of the American College of Cardiology on five occasions. He co-founded International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) with Dr. Evgeni Chazov, of the former Soviet Union; in 1985, they were co-recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of IPPNW.

  • Reza Askari, assistant professor of surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
  • Vinod Nambudiri, associate professor of dermatology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Robert P. Masland, Jr. Teaching Award

Dr. Robert P. Masland, Jr. was the Chief of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine at Children’s from 1967-1993 and was a leader in establishing the field of Adolescent Medicine, as well as teaching communication and professionalism. In addition, he trained generations of medical students, residents, and faculty members at Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH). He was a supporter of flexible careers and work-life balance long before these issues were openly discussed. As a medical educator, Dr. Masland served as Co-Director of the Combined Harvard Medicine/Pediatrics Training program and as Associate Master for the Cannon Society at HMS. One of his favorite activities was mentoring HMS students and trying to convince them to pursue a career in pediatrics. As the Chair of the Intern Selection Committee at Boston Children’s Hospital from 1983-2002, he sought to rank as many HMS students as possible. Dr. Masland died in 2010, and this award was established in his honor to recognize a Children’s Hospital faculty member who shares Dr. Masland’s passion for teaching medical students.

  • Catherine Chen, assistant professor of surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital

S. Robert Stone Award for Excellence in Teaching

The S. Robert Stone Award for Excellence in Teaching has been awarded annually since 1981 to a member of the Harvard Medical School Faculty at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for outstanding achievement in the teaching of medical students and house staff. The award is given in honor of the late Honorary Trustee and past Board Chairman of the former Beth Israel Hospital by his children.

  • Katharyn Atkins, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

L. James Wiczai, Jr. Award for Leadership, Excellence, and Innovation in Medical Education

The Wiczai Award was established in 2000 by Karen C. Kirby in memory of her husband, L. James Wiczai, to honor a staff member who fosters innovation and excellence in medical education and promotes collaboration between Harvard Medical School and the Harvard-affiliated hospitals.

  • Ellen Conner, medical education coordinator, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Equity, Social Justice, and Advocacy (ESJA) Award

The ESJA Award recognizes individuals at Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and within the HMS/HSDM-affiliate community who advance equity, social justice, and advocacy — contributions that affirm the HMS mission, HMS community values, and medical professionalism.

This year’s awards were presented by the HMS Office for Diversity Inclusion and Community Partnership at the Equity Social Justice and Advocacy Award lecture and ceremony on October 9, 2024.

Faculty

Staff

  • Melissa Kenny, internet information server administrator, Department of Information Technology, Harvard Medical School
  • Josephina S. Lin, research, communications, and health equity associate, The Family Van, Harvard Medical School

Students

  • Kelsey Biddle, MD Candidate 2025, Harvard Medical School
  • Lilly Montesano Scheibe, MD Candidate 2026, Harvard Medical School
  • Andrew Chang, MD, MMSc, Class of 2024, Harvard Medical School

Trainees

  • Mayank Chugh, research fellow in systems biology, Harvard Medical School
  • Krystal Savice, clinical fellow in medicine (completed June 2024), Mount Auburn Hospital

Learn more about the Equity, Social Justice, and Advocacy Award, including nomination guidelines and previous recipients.

Beecher Prize and Capstone Mentor Recognition

The annual Henry K. Beecher Prize in Medical Ethics celebrates Dr. Beecher’s legacy of critical ethical analysis of contemporary medical issues. The Beecher Prize Selection Committee members agreed that these individuals’ papers deserved recognition for the ways they exemplify the spirit of Beecher's work.

Henry K. Beecher Prize for Master’s Student Ethics Teaching

  • Roberto Sirvent, lecturer on global health and social medicine, Harvard Medical School

Henry K. Beecher Prize for Medical Student Ethics Teaching

  • David Urion, associate professor of neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital

The Center for Bioethics at Harvard Medical School also recognized faculty members who have provided 5+ years of mentorship in the MBE capstone experience:

  • Robert Truog, Frances Glessner Lee Distinguished Professor of Legal Medicine, Professor of Anaesthesia (Pediatrics), Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Louise King, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Bizu Gelaye, associate professor of psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Jonathan Marron, assistant professor of pediatrics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
  • Aaron Kesselheim, professor of medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
  • Elaine Meyer, associate professor of psychology, Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Joseph Giacino, professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
  • Brendan Abel, lecturer on global health and social medicine, part-time, Harvard Medical School
  • Ameet Sarpatwari, assistant professor of population medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute
  • K. Babu Krishnamurthy, assistant professor of neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • Brian Cummings, assistant professor of pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Christy Cummings, associate professor of pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital

Harvard Heroes

The Harvard Heroes Recognition Program celebrates the accomplishments of Harvard staff whose work supports the mission of Harvard at the highest levels of contribution, impact and excellence.

This year’s Harvard Heroes awards ceremony, hosted by Interim President of Harvard University Alan Garber, was held on June 13 in the Sanders Theatre of Memorial Hall, Cambridge, MA.

2024 recipients:

Harvard Medical School

Marie Bao, executive director, Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology

Derek Barton, director of finance and administration, Systems Biology

Meghan Kerr, Longwood Medical Area records manager and archivist, Countway Library

Csilla Kiss, assistant director of student affairs, Office of Student Affairs

Diana Longden, administrative coordinator for the Joint Committee on the Status of Women, Office for Faculty Affairs

Matrida Neli, program manager, Committee on Microbiological Safety, Office of Biological Safety

Siu-Shan Wang, senior grants manager, Biomedical Informatics

Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Leanne Jacobellis, program coordinator, Global and Community Health

Excellence in Mentoring Awards

The Excellence in Mentoring Awards were established at HMS to recognize the value of quality mentoring relationships and the impact they have on professional development and career advancement in basic and clinical medicine, research, teaching, and administration.

This year’s awards were presented by the Office for Diversity Inclusion and Community Partnership at a ceremony on June 13.

Recipients are:

William Silen Lifetime Achievement in Mentoring Award

  • Steven M. Greenberg, HMS professor of neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Hadine Joffe, the HMS Paula Johnson, MD Professor of Psychiatry in the Field of Women’s Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital

A. Clifford Barger Excellence in Mentoring Award

Young Mentor Award

HMS Scholars in Medicine Excellence in Student Mentoring Award

The HMS Scholars in Medicine Excellence in Student Mentoring Award was established in 2017 to recognize faculty who have carefully and skillfully guided our medical students not only in their scholarly projects but also as they train in their professions. Each year, graduating HMS students are invited to nominate their mentors. Faculty from the Scholars in Medicine Program select the finalists.

  • Manisha Bahl, HMS associate professor of radiology at Mass General
  • Amir Mohareb, HMS assistant professor of medicine at Mass General
  • Roy Phitayakorn, HMS associate professor of surgery at Mass General

Dolores J. Brown Staff Award

Keri Vitale, executive assistant in the Office of Alumni Affairs and Development, has received the 2024 Dolores J. Brown Staff Award. This award, presented by the HMS Office of Human Resources, was established by the Brown family in 2002 to honor the memory of Dolores and to commemorate her contributions to the School. Dolores worked as the assistant to Daniel C. Tosteson, HMS dean from 1985 to 1997, and dean emeritus from 1997 to 2000. This award pays tribute to an exceptional staff member at Harvard Medical School or Harvard School of Dental Medicine who exemplifies the spirit and commitment that Dolores demonstrated in her work at the School.

The Office of Human Resources acknowledges this year’s nominees, whose dedication and commitment to high performance continues to make HMS and HSDM great places to work:

  • Agnieszka "Aga" Jackson, PME OME Assessment and Evaluation
  • Cliff Kwong, HSDM HDC Clinical Operations
  • Ishita Dhiman, Cell Biology
  • Jill Adams, HSDM Administration
  • Leanne "Jake" Jacobellis, HSDM Global and Community Health
  • Marsilda Llega, HSDM HDC Clinical Operations
  • Mayra Natareno, HSDM Human Resources
  • Molly Deschenes, HSDM Dental Education
  • Paul Mazur, Biomedical Informatics
  • Rebecca Grow, Global Health and Social Medicine  
  • Sara Whiteman, Wyss Institute
  • Shakchhi Joshi, Cell Biology

Joint Committee on the Status of Women Dean’s Leadership Awards

Awards were presented by the Joint Committee on the Status of Women on June 5, 2024.

Joseph B. Martin Dean’s Leadership Award for the Advancement of Women Faculty

  • Joshua Boyce, Albert L. Sheffer Professor of Medicine in the Field of Allergic Disease, Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Stella Kourembanas, Clement A. Smith Professor of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital

Joseph B. Martin Dean’s Leadership Award for the Advancement of Women Staff

  • Kimberly LeBlanc, senior director, Undiagnosed Diseases Network Coordinating Center, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School
  • Angelika Fretzen, technology translation director and chief operating officer, Wyss Institute, Harvard Medical School

Shirley Driscoll Dean’s Leadership Award for the Enhancement of Women’s Careers

  • Michele Hacker, associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • Louisa Sylvia, associate professor of psychology, Massachusetts General Hospital

Nancy J. Tarbell Dean’s Leadership Award for an Emerging Leader in Women’s Careers

  • Antonia Chen, associate professor of orthopedic surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Kerry Reynolds, assistant professor of medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital

Learn more about the CSW Dean's Leadership Awards, including nomination guidelines and previous recipients.

Dean's Community Service Awards

Awards were presented at the Dean's Community Service Awards ceremony on May 15, 2024.

Faculty

  • Jacqueline Starr, HMS lecturer in medicine, Brigham and Women’s
    Organization: Lexington Community Farm

Trainee

  • Jennifer Shahar, resident, Department of Orthodontics, Harvard School of Dental Medicine
    Organization: American Association of Orthodontics Foundation

Staff

  • Maria-Kassandra Coronel, teacher and program coordinator, MEDScience, Harvard Medical School
    Organization: Coronel-Endaya Foundation
  • Pinar Kilicci-Kret, assistant director of Operations and Programing, Office for Diversity Inclusion and Community Partnership, Harvard Medical School
    Organization: Anaya Tipnis Foundation

Students

  • Betty Ben Dor, DMD Candidate 2025, Harvard School of Dental Medicine
    Organization: Action for Children and Teens in Oral Health Need
  • LaShyra Nolen, MD/MPP Candidate 2024, Harvard Medical School
    Organization: We Got Us
  • Richard Russel, MD candidate 2026, Harvard Medical School
    Organization: Harvard Square Homeless Shelter
  • Jessica Wang, MD Candidate 2025, Harvard Medical School
    Organization: Harvard Square Homeless Shelter
  • Michael Woodbury, MD Candidate 2024, Harvard Medical School
    Organization: BIDMC Dermatology Access Clinic
  • Sofia Milosavljevic, MD/MBA Candidate 2027, Harvard Medical School
    Organization: BIDMC Dermatology Access Clinic

Learn more about the Diversity Awards, including nomination guidelines and previous recipients.

Henry K. Beecher Prize in Medical Ethics

The Henry K. Beecher Prize in Medical Ethics celebrates Dr. Beecher's legacy of critical ethical analysis of contemporary medical issues. The 2024 prize was presented by the Center for Bioethics to HMS medical student Masih Tazhibi for exemplifying the spirit of Beecher's work in his essay, "Kant, Consciousness, and Supportive Care for Vegetative Patients."

Learn more about the Henry K. Beecher Prize in Medical Ethics, including submission guidelines and previous recipients.

Diversity Awards

Awards were presented by the Office for Diversity Inclusion and Community Partnership at a ceremony on April 10, 2024.

Harold Amos Faculty Diversity Award

  • Natasha M. Archer, assistant professor of pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Alireza Haghighi, assistant professor of medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
  • Rose L. Molina, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Harold Amos Faculty Group Diversity Award

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Team
    Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

    Program Leaders:
    Valerie E. Stone, professor of medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
    John Spiers, director of faculty affairs, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Sharon P. Clayborne Staff Group Diversity Award

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group
    Office for External Education, Harvard Medical School

    Program Leaders:
    Tami Bolk, director of program operations, Harvard Medical School
    Francesca Coltrera, senior content writer, Harvard Health Publications
    A. Enrique Caballero, associate professor of medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Learn more about the Diversity Awards, including nomination guidelines and previous recipients.