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There is a kind of recognition that medicine rarely makes time for.

Not the kind that appears in a transcript or a licensing exam score. Not the résumé line or the match result. The kind that pauses — formally, deliberately — to say: the work you did was seen, and it mattered.

On May 11, the Schmidt College of Medicine made time.

The inaugural Medical Student Graduation �Ӱ�ֱ���� and Faculty Recognition Ceremony brought together two previously separate traditions for the first time, honoring graduating �Ӱ�ֱ����, clinical faculty, and the individuals whose sustained leadership has defined how medicine is taught and practiced in Palm Beach County. The MD Graduation �Ӱ�ֱ����, long presented at commencement, and the Clinical Faculty �Ӱ�ֱ����, previously held at a separate winter event, shared a single stage and a single evening.

The decision to combine them was about more than scheduling.

“Recognizing our medical �Ӱ�ֱ���� and clinical faculty together — in the same room, on the same evening — affirms that medical education is a shared journey built on partnership and mentorship. Learners and teachers grow better together. This unified celebration reflects that belief, and honors the community whose generosity made these awards possible in the first place.” — Jennifer Caceres, MD, Vice Dean for Medical Education, Schmidt College of Medicine

The Class of 2026, Recognized

Ugoma Onubogu received the Ira J. Gelb, M.D. Award for Exemplary Service, endowed by Mrs. June Gelb to honor the legacy of Dr. Gelb — a visionary clinician, dedicated mentor, and leader committed to serving his �Ӱ�ֱ����, university, and community. The award goes annually to the graduate who best exemplifies that spirit. For Onubogu, the recognition pointed directly to the people at its center:

"This award speaks to the heart of service, leadership, and mentorship, and at the core of all three is people. It is a celebration of the relationships built and the lives touched, and it renews my promise to carry empathy, intention, and humility into the connections I make going forward." — Ugoma Onubogu, Ira J. Gelb, M.D. Award for Exemplary Service

Madison Tharp was honored with the Caroline McConnell McGill, M.D. Award — presented by founding Undergraduate Medical Education Dean Dr. Lindsey Henson to a woman graduate who exemplifies the legacy of Dr. McGill, a physician, scholar, philanthropist, and founder of the Museum of the Rockies who earned her MD in 1914. Tharp, heading into residency in neurology, described the recognition as a reflection of what she valued most about medical school:

"This recognition encompassed my favorite parts of being a medical student — teaching others, forming strong patient relationships, and working on research to improve outcomes. I'm excited to continue that work in residency, growing as an educator, physician, and advocate for my patients." — Madison Tharp, Caroline McConnell McGill, M.D. Award

Sara Burgoa was recognized with the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, presented by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation to the student who best exemplifies integrity, excellence, compassion, altruism, respect, empathy, and service in the delivery of care to patients and their families.

Niko Linzer received the Ticho Prize, established by the Ernst and Gertrude Ticho Charitable Foundation to honor the life and work of Ernst Ticho, Ph.D., and Gertrude R. Ticho, M.D. The award recognizes a graduating student who demonstrated excellence in psychiatry alongside empathy, respect for patients, and compassion in all clinical work.

Meera Rao was honored with the FCAAP Luther W. Holloway Award, named for the first president of the Florida chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and presented annually to a graduating student pursuing a career in pediatrics who has been actively involved in advocacy work while in medical school.

In geriatrics — a specialty shaped as much by relationship as by clinical expertise — two distinct honors were presented. Mia Glickman received the Dr. Joe and Lynn Ouslander Award for Academic Excellence in Geriatrics and Gerontology, which recognizes outstanding scholarship as reflected through presentations and publications in geriatric medicine or gerontology. For Glickman, the recognition carried a particular resonance:

"Receiving recognition in the field of gerontology feels like a full-circle moment. I often think of the senior living facility residents who first sparked my interest in geriatric medicine and reflect on their stories, wisdom, and values. This award exemplifies how those early encounters continue to guide my path as I move into practice." — Mia Glickman, Dr. Joe and Lynn Ouslander Award for Academic Excellence in Geriatrics and Gerontology

Kathryn Lotharius received the Helen and Marcy Ouslander Award for Geriatrics, which honors the student who demonstrates compassion for older patients and dedication to improving their health care and quality of life.

The Teachers Who Shaped Them

The clinical faculty honored on May 11 were chosen by the people who know their teaching best: the �Ӱ�ֱ���� themselves. Physicians and specialists at partner institutions across Palm Beach County, they give generously of their time — to teach, to precept, and to show �Ӱ�ֱ���� what medicine looks like when it is practiced well.

Among the year-level honorees, Melanie Altizer, MD was recognized as Teacher of the Year in Year 3. Her �Ӱ�ֱ���� described an educator whose commitment showed up everywhere: “Whether in the classroom, on rounds, or in the operating room, she takes the time to teach in a way that is clear and practical, and she actively involves �Ӱ�ֱ���� during the rotation. She makes every student feel valued, respected, and integral to the clinical team.”

Chad Sanborn, MD received the Teacher of the Year in Year 4 award — recognized by �Ӱ�ֱ���� for an approach that was as personal as it was clinical: “He takes the time to discuss �Ӱ�ֱ����’ personal interests and goals for the rotation, and then tailors patient assignments to help us learn as much as possible. He is also an incredible mentor, frequently taking the time to engage in discussions about career goals, residency interviews, and life plans.”

Across the clerkships, the nominations told a consistent story: teachers who stayed present, who made �Ӱ�ֱ���� feel like genuine members of the team, and who made the work of learning feel purposeful.

Yehuda Fuzailov, MD was recognized as Outstanding Teacher in a Cross Discipline — praised for teaching that was “inclusive and team-oriented, ensuring that learners at all levels benefit from discussions while maintaining focus on excellent patient care.”

Yankel Girshman, MD received the Outstanding Teacher in the Psychiatry Clerkship award; one nominator wrote that he “actively includes �Ӱ�ֱ���� in discussions of psychiatric patients, encouraging us to think critically about diagnoses, treatment plans, and clinical reasoning” while creating a space where “�Ӱ�ֱ���� feel comfortable engaging and asking questions.”

In Obstetrics and Gynecology, Martin Castaneda, MD was recognized for being “incredibly informative and helpful in teaching clinical concepts and basic science” while placing “a great emphasis on student education.”

Carrie Stucken, MD, honored in Pediatrics, was credited by one student with “solidifying my commitment to a career in pediatrics” through her emphasis on understanding each patient beyond the presenting complaint — a philosophy, the nominator wrote, that “reinforced the importance of comprehensive, family-centered medicine.”

Darby Sider, MD received the Outstanding Teacher in the Internal Medicine Clerkship award, honored by �Ӱ�ֱ���� who described a teacher whose “dedication, approachability, and enthusiasm for teaching create an environment in which �Ӱ�ֱ���� feel motivated, confident, and eager to learn.”

Dana Sands, MD was recognized as Outstanding Teacher in the Surgery Clerkship. One student wrote: “She went out of her way to teach me, make me feel comfortable, and give me professional advice. Because of her kind and supportive approach, I felt motivated to learn and do my best for my patients. I aspire to give medical �Ӱ�ֱ���� this same experience when I am an attending.”

was honored as Outstanding Teacher in the Community Preventive Medicine Clerkship — a physician, one student wrote, who is “incredibly kind, respectful, and always looking to do what he can to teach,” and whose “love for medicine is infectious.”

Two New Honors, and a Legacy Named

Three of the evening’s distinctions represented the college’s highest recognition of faculty leadership — among them, honors for the clinical affiliate faculty whose contributions have shaped the program from beyond its walls. Presented together, they told a particular story about what it means to build academic medicine from the ground up, and about the kinds of contribution that deserve to be named out loud.

The Unsung Hero Award was presented for the first time — to Howard Brenker, MD.

The award was created to name something real and lasting that rarely gets acknowledged: the work of faculty who go above and beyond not because anyone is watching, but because the �Ӱ�ֱ���� in front of them deserve it. Dr. Brenker's story puts that language into practice. For twelve years, he has volunteered his time to teach second-year �Ӱ�ֱ���� in the Newborn Nursery Clinical Experience — covering the newborn history and physical, rounding in the NICU, and bringing �Ӱ�ֱ���� into the OR for C-section deliveries to demonstrate live neonatal resuscitation. Two years ago, when the NICU was short two neonatologists for several months, he worked 24-hour shifts every other day to fill the gap — and kept teaching through all of it.

Peter Averkiou, MD, who nominated Dr. Brenker, put it plainly:

“Without Dr. Brenker, we would not be able to have the Newborn Nursery Clinical Experience in our curriculum. Our medical �Ӱ�ֱ���� and I owe him a tremendous amount of gratitude and appreciation. He more than deserves this honor and award.” — Peter Averkiou, MD

The Distinguished Faculty Service Award — also presented for the first time — went to Kenneth Folsom, MD, in recognition of exemplary, sustained service to the MD program and an unwavering dedication to advancing the college's academic mission. Dr. Folsom, a dermatologist, has chaired the Admissions Committee for nearly eleven years — a role that sits at the intersection of data and humanity, shaping the institution one incoming class at a time. Monica Lopez, Director of Admissions, who has worked alongside him throughout, described what she has witnessed:

"Admissions requires balancing data with humanity and making decisions that will shape the future of our institution — and Dr. Folsom approaches that responsibility with remarkable care and purpose. His ability to guide complex discussions with clarity and professionalism has not only strengthened our admissions process but has also created a culture of trust and collaboration within the committee." — Monica Lopez, Director of Admissions, Schmidt College of Medicine

The impact, Lopez noted, is visible in every student who walks through the college's doors.

The evening concluded with the Michael L. Friedland, MD Educational Leadership Award — the college’s most significant faculty honor, and one whose origins are woven into the institution’s own history.

Dr. Friedland was the founding dean of the Schmidt College of Medicine. After his passing, those who knew him wanted to create something lasting. A shadowbox now hangs in the college bearing his white coat, his stethoscope, and a brief history of his role in building this institution — and beside it, the plaque for this award, presented annually to a faculty member who embodies what defined him most: vision, integrity, leadership, and a dedication to teaching.

This year’s recipient is Allison Ferris, MD.

The nomination arrived in four parts — Integrity, Dedication to Teaching, Vision, and Leadership — and each told the same story from a different angle: a faculty member whose influence runs broad and deep, whose standards are consistently modeled, and whose investment in others has compounded in ways she may not fully see. Former residents, now practicing independently, have returned to teach the college's �Ӱ�ֱ���� — drawn back, nominators wrote, by her example. As chair of the Committee on Appointments and Promotions, she has guided evaluations for approximately 80 faculty members each cycle, building what one nominator called "a strong foundation of trust among faculty and residents alike."

"Her passion for education is unmistakable, and continues to elevate the learning environment while inspiring others to follow her example." — From Dr. Ferris's nomination

What the Room Held

“This inaugural ceremony represents something we have wanted to create for some time — a moment where the people who built this program and the �Ӱ�ֱ���� who completed it stand together in the same room. The Schmidt College of Medicine is defined by its relationships: between teachers and learners, between the college and the communities we serve, between the mission we set out to fulfill and the physicians we are now sending into the world. This evening was a celebration of all of it.” — Lewis Nelson, MD, Dean, Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University

The Class of 2026 will leave as physicians — the largest graduating class in the college’s history. The clinical faculty who trained them will return to their hospitals and practices, and the teaching will continue.

But for one evening in May, they were in the same room. And for the first time, the recognition was too.

The inaugural Medical Student Graduation �Ӱ�ֱ���� and Faculty Recognition Ceremony was held on Monday, May 11, hosted by the Office of Medical Education and the Office of Student Affairs.