University Letter

UND's faculty and staff newsletter

SMHS recognizes faculty and student award winners

The School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS) has announced its end-of-year awards given to medical students and clinical faculty. Although the awards are normally given in-person prior to Commencement, the School instead announced its award winners via social media during the M.D. Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 8.

Of the roughly 1,700 physicians in North Dakota, more than 1,200 have voluntary clinical faculty appointments at the SMHS, said Joshua Wynne, vice president for health affairs and dean of the School.

“As a community-based institution, the School could not carry out its educational mission without the dedication and sacrifice of our voluntary faculty members,” Wynne added. “We are fortunate to have many dedicated physicians from across North Dakota who teach. These physicians have gone above and beyond the call of duty in giving our students the benefit of their time, experience, knowledge, and wisdom gained from years of caring for patients.”

The winners of the Dean’s Special Recognition Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Faculty were:  

  • Hasrat Khan, Clinical Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Fargo, N.D.
  • Peter C. Kurniali, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Bismarck, N.D.
  • Wayne Martinsen, Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Minot, N.D.
  • Casey Ryan, Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine, Grand Forks, N.D.

The graduating medical student class also selected the following outstanding physicians-teachers at each campus:  

  • James Miles, Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology, Northeast (Grand Forks) Campus
  • James Schmidt, Clinical Instructor of Family and Community Medicine, Northwest (Minot) Campus
  • Dane Breker, Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology, Southeast (Fargo) Campus

The Southwest (Bismarck) Campus in Bismarck had a tie:

  • Peter White, Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine
  • Issa Al Rabadi, Clinical Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine

Awards given to graduating medical students included:  

North Dakota Medical Association Awards  

  • Elena Danielson
  • Jon Pacella
  • Austin Hewitt

North Dakota District Medical Society Awards  

  • Jon Pacella, SE Campus – Fargo (1st District)
  • Connor Schweitzer, SE Campus – Fargo (1st District)
  • Michael Storandt, NE Campus (3rd District – GF)
  • Bradley Walker, NW Campus (4th District – Minot)
  • Mary Johanson, SW Campus (6th District – Bismarck)

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

  • Alexander Buchholz

University Alumni Special Awards

  • Connor Baker
  • Rachel Sakry
  • Hannah Kruger

Dr. John Wahl Memorial Rural Health Scholarship Endowment Award  

  • Taylor Crothers

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

  • Taylor Crothers

Dr. Frank E. Stinchfield Award, academically outstanding student

  • Austin Hewitt

Dr. Nadim and Rola Kanafani Koleilat Award  

  • Michael Storandt

The Welsh Award  

  • Molly Benolken
  • Riley Moore
  • Sarah Lewis
  • Ana Schroeder

Laura Ehmann Memorial Pediatric Scholarship Award    

  • Alexis Malaterre

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

  • Shrilakshmi Panjini

Altru Clinic Senior Medical Student Fund Award  

  • Connor Schweitzer
  • Jonathan Pacella
  • Alexander Buchholz
  • Elena Danielson

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

  • John Gangelhoff

Department of Surgery Senior Award  

  • Elena Danielson

Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science Awards

  • Query Award: Lane Vendsel
  • Stadter Award: Katelyn Ruark
  • Kaspari Award: Matthew Gerenz