Alumni and Teaching Awards
The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Alumni Association honors its alumni with three awards: The Distinguished Alumni Award, the Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Alumni Service Award.
Distinguished Alumni Award
The award is given annually in recognition of outstanding and widely recognized achievement. The award salutes, in particular, those who exemplify the standards and objectives of the School of Medicine & Dentistry through personal conduct, professional accomplishments and community service. Distinct preference is given to those alumni whose achievements create significant impact to the medical field on a national and global scale.
All alumni of the U of R School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD) are eligible. Alumni are defined as M.D., Ph.D. and masters degree recipients who were graduated from the School of Medicine & Dentistry. Physicians who completed residency training at URMC are also considered alumni. Preference will be given to those alumni whose career impact is largely outside the local community.
The award process is as follows:
Nominations will be accepted from alumni, the university community and friends of the School of Medicine and Dentistry. Nominations will be solicited via online communications, Rochester Medicine Magazine and word-of-mouth exposure. Nominations will be submitted to the Office of Alumni Relations.
The alumni office liaison to the Council will present the slate of nominees to the administration of the SMD for evaluation and comment. The awards committee of the Council will review the slate and recommend a final slate to the Alumni Council for selection of the recipient.
The award consists of a crystal award, framed certificate and placement of the awardee’s photo and plaque to be permanently displayed in the Alumni Hall of Fame.
The award will be presented yearly during Alumni Weekend, at a lectureship attended by alumni, faculty and students. The Distinguished Alumni Award recipient will be the keynote speaker at the lecture.
Click here for an online Distinguished Alumni Nomination form.
Click here to see the list of past recipients.
Alumni Service Award
This award is given yearly by the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Alumni Association to an alumnus who has furthered the interests of the School and the Alumni Association through significant support, commitment and service to the school.
All alumni of the U of R SMD are eligible for this award. Alumni are defined as M.D., Ph.D. and masters degree recipients who were graduated from the School of Medicine & Dentistry. Physicians who completed residency training at URMC are also considered alumni.
Nominations will be accepted from alumni, the university community and friends of the School of Medicine and Dentistry. Nominations will be solicited via online communications, Rochester Medicine Magazine and word-of-mouth exposure.
After final evaluation of the nominations, the awardee will be chosen by the Alumni Council ’s Awards Committee. The award will consist of a framed certificate and will be presented yearly during Alumni Weekend.
Click here for an online Alumni Service Award Nomination form.
Click here to see the list of past recipients.
Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Teaching
The Gold Medal Award was established by the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Alumni Association to pay tribute to members of the faculty “in recognition of integrity, inspiring teaching, and devotion to medical students.” The first award was given in 1952 to Samuel W. Clausen, Professor and Chair of Pediatrics. The stated qualifications make no mention of length of service, academic title, skill as a physician, nor of recognition of past or potential financial contribution to the School.
After final evaluation of the nominations (which are solicited from students and the administration), the awardee will be chosen by the Alumni Council ’s Awards Committee. The award consists of a gold medal, a framed certificate and placement of the awardee’s name in the Alumni Hall of Fame.
The award is presented yearly during Alumni Weekend.
Click here to see the list of past recipients.
