Giving
UH Manoa
Student Life
The Annual Awards Ceremony for the John A. Burns School of Medicine honors the excellence of our graduating MD students, as well as current students and faculty. The event was held on May 8, 2024 at the Medical Education Building Auditorium.
Vina Cristobal and Deborah Dimaya provided photos, see the Flickr Album below.
Excellence in Public Health Award
This award is from the U.S. Public Health Service Physician Professional Advisory Committee. The award recognizes medical students across the nation who advance public health in their communities and exemplify the USPHS mission to protect, promote and advance health and safety.
Awarded to Ashley Lee
E.E. Black Community Service Award
Recognizes achievement in medical school as well as commitment to the school and community service through extracurricular work.
Awarded to:
Maveric Abella, MD
Collin Liang, MD
Anna Ramos, MD
Dr. Albert C. K. Chun-Hoon Award for Community Service:
Established in memory of Dr. Albert C. K. Chun-Hoon. This award honors a medical student who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community service and who shows future potential to lead, by example, in assisting underserved members of the Hawai`i Community.
Awarded to Gina Watanabe, MD
Hawaii Medical Association Alliance (HMAA) Endowment Award
Established in 1998 to recognize community service and academic achievement.
Awarded to Piueti Maka, MD and Dylan Singh, MD
The Dean’s Certificate of Distinction is awarded to students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and an exceptional commitment in a specialized area of interest and expertise. By completing a predetermined set of curricular and co-curricula activities, medical students can be nominated for this special recognition. This year’s recipients are:
Medical Education
Sarah Albrecht, MD
Caleb Ko, MD
Danielle Sato, MD
Chloe Asato, MD
Maya Matsumoto, MD
Erica Shin, MD
Connor Goo, MD
Anna Ramos, MD
Sharon Wong, MD
Medical Innovation and Design
Richard Ho, MD
Nutrition
Kassidy Kanja, MD
Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
Kassidy Kanja, MD
Brendan Seto, MD
Jennifer Wong, MD
Research
Shirley Cheng, MD
Kayti Luu, MD
Richard Ho, MD
Edward Nguyen, MD
Rachel Lew, MD
Dylan Singh, MD
Rural Health
Sarah Albrecht, MD
Megan Ishii, MD
Cali McAllister, MD
Nataliya Panova, MD
Peggy Su, MD
Melia Takakusagi, MD
Social Justice
Kiersten Chong, MD
Danielle Sato, MD
Lauren Mooney, MD
Melia Takakusagi, MD
Daniel Ota, MD
Sharon Wong, MD
ACP Award for Excellence in Internal Medicine
This award recognizes the most outstanding senior entering an Internal Medicine program. The Hawai`i Chapter of the American College of Physicians sponsors this award.
Awarded to Erica Shin, MD
ACP Bernard Yim, MD Award
This is awarded to the student who best exemplified excellence in their third year internal medicine clerkship.
Awarded to Michelle Pang, MD
Maurice Brodsky Memorial Award
Established in 1983 in memory of Dr. Brodsky, an authority on the treatment of tuberculosis and a key figure in the establishment of the John A. Burns School of Medicine. The award recognizes a student displaying excellence in pulmonary medicine.
Awarded to Hannah Mettias, MD
The Terry C. Y. Wong, MD Memorial Award
Established in 2004 in memory of Dr. Wong, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, to recognize the student who demonstrates a spirit of patient advocacy with academic excellence in internal medicine.
Awarded to Daniel Ota, MD
Walter F. Char, MD Prize in Psychiatry
Established in honor of Dr. Char, Founder and first Chair of the Department of Psychiatry. This award recognizes the senior with the best clinical clerkship in psychiatry.
Awarded to Max Nakamoto, MD
Society of Academic Emergency Medicine Award
Presented in recognition of excellence in emergency medicine. SAEM represents academic and research pursuits of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Awarded to John Thibault, MD
Hawai`i Academy of Family Physicians Outstanding Student Award
Established in 1995 to recognize excellence in family medicine.
Awarded to Melissa Gozun, MD
The Drs. Diane L Ching and Andrew K Feng Pediatric Award
(Be a H.E.R.O. Award):
Established to assist JABSOM Medical student who demonstrates humility, enthusiasm, reliable and optimistic qualities especially suited for a career in Pediatrics.
Awarded to Anna Ramos, MD
Reddy Award in Pediatrics:
Established by Drs. Venu and Vijaya Reddy to recognize a graduating senior for academic merit and outstanding achievement in pediatrics.
Awarded to Maya Matsumo, MD and Anna Ramos, MD
Dr. Laura Weldon Hoque Award:
Established in 2010 in memory of Dr. Laura Weldon Hoque, an outstanding breast surgeon, whose compassion and leadership helped raise the standard for women’s cancer care in Hawai`i. This award honors a future surgeon who exemplifies Dr. Hoque’s combination of clinical excellence, compassionate care and tireless leadership.
Awarded to Shirley Cheng, MD
The Glenn M. Kokame, MD Endowed Memorial Award for
Surgery:
Recognizes an outstanding 4th year student pursuing a career in surgery or a surgical subspecialty, who demonstrates academic excellence, potential for outstanding surgical skills, and a caring and warm touch in patient care.
Awarded to Daniel Bender, MD
Dr. Frank and Mary McDowell Award:
Established in 1983 in memory of Dr. McDowell, a surgeon, who was involved in the Hawai`i Medical Library and its affiliation with the medical school. The award recognizes excellence in surgery.
Awarded to Nathaniel Villanueva, MD
Hawai`i Lions Foundation Ophthalmology Award:
Established in 2003, it is presented to a student in recognition of outstanding scholastic achievement and an interest in ophthalmology.
Awarded to Matthew Camacho, MD, Kevin Card, MD, and Jaxon Huang, MD
Philip I. McNamee, MD Endowed Award:
This award supports 4th year medical students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in Obstetrics and Gynecology and are interested in pursuing a career in gynecologic surgery.
Awarded to Michelle Pang, MD
John M. Ohtani, MD Award:
Established in 1983 in memory of Dr. Ohtani, Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology. It recognizes scholastic achievement, enthusiasm, dedication and willingness to learn.
Awarded to Danielle Sato, MD
College of American Pathologists Distinguished Medical Student Award:
Given to a medical student, who is in any year of training, for outstanding achievement, great aptitude, or great interest in pathology.
Awarded to Connie Chang, MD
Merck Award for Academic Excellence:
This award is given to two graduating students who excelled at the highest level in their 3rd year clerkships.
Awarded to Alyssa Becker, MD, and Michelle Pang, MD
Po`okela No`eau Award:
Established in 1997 by the Friends of the Medical School to recognize the student with characteristics which best exemplify the qualities of the ideal physician. Recipient selected by class vote.
Awarded to Vera Ong, MD
Po`okela Noi`i Award:
Established in 1997 by the Friends of the Medical School to recognize outstanding research. Recipient selected by a faculty panel.
Awarded to Gina Watanabe, MD
Aequanimitas Noʻonoʻo Pono Award:
Established in 2013 by the Friends of the Medical School to recognize the student who best demonstrates imperturbability in all situations and responds quickly, calmly and accurately in providing medical assistance.
Awarded to Kassidy Kanja, MD
Windsor and Mary Cutting Excellence in The Basic Medical Sciences Award:
Dr. Windsor Cutting was an internationally renowned academician, a basic medicine scientist, and a clinician. He held many positions in academia during his distinguished career, including Dean of the Stanford School of Medicine and Founding Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine. Mary Cutting founded and served as President of the Friends of the Medical School. This award honors a member of the graduating class for scholarly excellence in the basic biomedical sciences.
Awarded to Max Nakamoto, MD
Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii Foundation Award:
Recognizes outstanding medical student who volunteer and men-
tor other students of Filipino ancestry.
Awarded to Austin Corpuz, MD
Yazawa Family Endowed Award:
Established by Dr. Keijiro Yazawa and Mrs. Kayoko Yazawa in 2000. The award is presented to the student who is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and demonstrates financial need.
Awarded to Alyssa Becker, MD
Office of Medical Education Kako`o Award:
This award is given to the senior that has best helped to promote the mission and activities of the Office of Medication Education and medical education in general at JABSOM.
Awarded to Sharon Wong, MD
Aloha Award:
Given by the Office of Student Affairs to recognize the senior student who, over the course of their tenure at the medical school, most personified the Aloha Spirit.
Awarded to Sharon Wong, MD
Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award presented by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation:
Recognizes a student and faculty of exemplary compassion, competence and respect in the delivery of care.
Awarded to Dr. Kyra Len (faculty) and Sharon Wong, MD (student)
Elizabeth “Liz” Kealiikuaaina Tam, MD Memorial Award:
Presented to a faculty member who emulates the passion, grace, leadership and the dedication of Dr. Tam.
Awarded to Dominic Chow, MD
Kaiser-Permanente Excellence in Teaching Awards:
Presented to two outstanding teachers: One from the pre-clinical curriculum directly chosen by student poll, and the other from the clinical disciplines, selected from nominations submitted by the clinical departments, reflective of teaching excellence in the third and fourth year clinical curriculum. In addition to these awards, Kaiser Permanente also supports the ongoing training and development of JABSOM faculty.
Awarded to Jannet Lee-Jayaram, MD (Pre-Clinical) and Kyra Len, MD (Clinical)
John M. Hardman, MD Award for Mentoring in Teaching:
Presented to a faculty member selected by students, who best emulates Dr. Hardman’s passion, grace and devotion to foster their intellectual, professional and personal growth.
Awarded to Richard Kasuya, MD
Wo Family Faculty Excellence Award:
Presented to the clinical faculty demonstrating exemplary qualities as named by the 4th year class. In addition to the award, a donation will be made towards medical school scholarships on behalf of the recipient.
Awarded to Royce Shimamoto, MD