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Alumni Association

Awards

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Alumni Awards

Each year, the Alumni Association Board of Directors honors alumni and future alumni through special award presentations to celebrate their achievements. Award recognitions take place at various events held in the Fall and Spring. The award categories include Distinguished Alumnus, Distinguished Emeritus, Mid-Career Achievement, Service, Early Career, Graduate Level-One, Dr. Satoru & Grace Nakamoto, Alfred & Norma Stoller GME, Alfred & Norma Stoller Medical School.

The process for selection

The Nominating Committee, chaired by the President-Elect of the Alumni Association Board of Directors will decide on the awards each year contingent upon the nomination of qualified individuals. Should qualified candidates not be nominated, the Committee reserves the right to abstain from granting awards or make appropriate considerations. The Committee convenes biannually to review the list of eligible candidates and conduct voting.

Who can nominate

Nominations will be accepted from Cleveland Clinic alumni, staff, residents/fellows, and employees.

How to nominate

If you would like to nominate an individual for any of the awards, please click here to fill out our Alumni Award Nomination Form. Be prepared to provide a brief biographical sketch of the candidate, including their professional experience, educational training, contact information, a brief explanation of why you are nominating this person, and a photo if available. Nominees can be recognized posthumously. Current members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors are not eligible. Recipients of past awards can be honored multiple times, but they cannot receive the same award more than once.

Distinguished Alumnus

The Distinguished Alumnus Award was established in 1977 to recognize alumni for exceptional enduring achievements and leadership, which have brought pride and recognition to Cleveland Clinic. Nominees have demonstrated remarkable achievement in their professions balanced with dedicated contributions of time, energy and resources to the community.

Criteria

Nominees must be graduates from a recognized Cleveland Clinic training program with a minimum of one (1) year of formal training and have distinguished themselves in the following areas: Clinical Practice, Education, Research, Community Leadership and/or Service. Nominees can be recognized posthumously. Current members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors are not eligible.

Nomination

Is there someone you would like to nominate for this award?

  • 2025: Tracy Hull, MD, CRS'92
  • 2024: Carol Burke, MD, GE'93
  • 2023: Arthur D. Steffee, MD, S’62/ORS’67
  • 2022: Belinda Yen Lieberman, PhD, RES/I’78
  • 2021: George Tesar, MD, IM'80
  • 2020: Satoru Nakamoto, MD, CARD’57
  • 2019: Thomas J. Masaryk, MD, NR’89
  • 2018: Conrad Simpfendorfer, Sr., MD, CARD'78
  • 2017: Gene H. Barnett, MD, MBA, GS’81, NS’86
  • 2016: John J. Eversman, MD, IM’64, END’65
  • 2015: Earl K. Shirey, MD, IM’56
  • 2014: Michael T. Modic, MD, DR’78, NR’79
  • 2013: Leonard H. Calabrese, DO, IM’78, RH’80
  • 2012: Floyd D. Loop, MD, TS’70
  • 2011: Bruce W. Lytle, MD, Staff ’78
  • 2010: Kenneth E. DeHaven, MD, GL-1’66, S’67, ORS’72
  • 2009: Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr, MD, GL-1’62, S’66
  • 2008: William C. Sheldon, MD, CVM’62
  • 2007: Tirone E. David, MD, S’75
  • 2006: Carlos M. Ferrario, MD, RES’69
  • 2005: Victor W. Fazio, MD, S’73, CRS’74
  • 2004: Albert V.G. Bruschke, MD, CARD’72
  • 2003: Norman R. Hertzer, MD, GL-1’68, S’72, VS’75
  • 2002: George C. Hoffman, MD, CLPTH’59
  • 2001: John A. Bergfeld, MD, GL-1'65, S’67, ORS’70
  • 2001: Wilma F. Bergfeld, MD, GL-1'65, DERM’68
  • 1999: Jess R. Young, MD, IM’59
  • 1998: John D. Clough, MD, GL-1'66, IM’67, IM’71
  • 1997: Phillip M. Hall, MD, GL-1'66, IM’68, H/N’69, RES’70
  • 1996: Edwin G. Beven, MD, S’62, VS’63
  • 1995: Thomas F. Meaney, MD, DR'57
  • 1994: Donald F. Dohn, MD, NS'58
  • 1992: Harriet P. Dustan, MD, RES'49
  • 1987: William L. Proudfit, MD, IM'43
  • 1985: George Crile Jr, MD, S'37
  • 1982: Elmer S.A. King, MD, S'33
  • 1977: E. Perry McCullagh, MD, S'27

Distinguished Emeritus

The Distinguished Emeritus Award, established in 2022, recognizes exemplary leadership, scholarly work, service, research and/or teaching at Cleveland Clinic. This prestigious honor acknowledges individuals who have consistently exhibited outstanding dedication to advancing the mission of the Cleveland Clinic throughout their careers. The Distinguished Emeritus Award celebrates the exemplary attributes and accomplishments of those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership.

Award

  • Awardee will receive a framed certificate.
  • Awardee will be highlighted in an upcoming issue of the Alumni Connection magazine.
  • Awardee will be recognized at the annual Fall Alumni Association Awards Reception.

Criteria

This award is not open for public nomination. Honorees are selected and voted upon by the Nominating Committee in collaboration with the Enterprise Chief of Staff. Nominees must have Cleveland Clinic Emeritus Status but need not be graduates of a Cleveland Clinic training program. Nominees can be recognized posthumously. Current members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors are not eligible.

The Nominating Committee is chaired by the Immediate Past-President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and includes the Enterprise Chief of Staff.

  • 2025: Linda D. Bradley, MD, Staff '91
  • 2024: Gregory P. Borkowski, MD, IM’74, DR’79
  • 2023: Lilian Gonsalves, MD, FAPM, FACP, P ’81
  • 2022: James B. Young, MD, Staff '95

Achievement

Established in 1985, the Achievement Award honors physicians or scientists for exceptional, enduring achievements and leadership that have brought pride and recognition to Cleveland Clinic. Beginning in 2026, eligibility is limited to physicians or scientists who are 10–25 years post-training.

Award

  • Awardee will receive a framed certificate.
  • Awardee will be featured in an upcoming issue of the Alumni Connection magazine.
  • Awardee will be formally recognized at the annual Fall Alumni Association Awards Reception.

Criteria

Nominees must be duly qualified physicians or scientists who are mid-career at 10–25 years post-training. They need not be graduates of Cleveland Clinic training programs. Candidates should have demonstrated exceptional professional achievement or other outstanding accomplishments aligned with the Cleveland Clinic mission to provide better care of the sick, further investigation of their problems, and more education for those who serve. Nominees must have made remarkable contributions in at least one of the following areas: clinical practice, education, research, community leadership, or service. Posthumous recognition is permitted. Current members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors are ineligible.

Nomination

Is there someone you would like to nominate for this award?

  • 2025: Eric Klein, MD, U'86
  • 2024: Jeffrey Ponsky, MD, Staff’97
  • 2023: David Bronson, MD, Staff’92
  • 2022: Richard G. Farmer, MD, MS, Staff’62
  • 2021: Mindy Estes, MD, NPTH'84
  • 2020: Tony Thomas, MD, Staff’82
  • 2020: David Taylor, MD, Staff’01
  • 2019: Joseph Hahn, MD, MBA, Staff’76
  • 2018: Toby Cosgrove, MD, Staff ’75
  • 2017: Kathleen Franco, MD, Staff ’92
  • 2016: Gregory P. Borkowski, MD, IM’74, DR’79
  • 2016: Atul C. Mehta, MD, PULMCC’83
  • 2015: Juan C. Parodi, MD, VS’76
  • 2014: William S. Kiser, MD, Staff’64
  • 2013: James B. Young, MD, Staff’95
  • 2006: William E. Braun, MD, Staff’68
  • 2002: Donald G. Vidt, MD, H/N’98
  • 1999: Floyd D. Loop, MD, TS’70
  • 1999: Ralph A. Straffon, MD, Staff’59
  • 1997: Robert E. Hermann, MD, Staff’62
  • 1994: Ray W. Gifford, Jr, MD, H/N’93
  • 1992: Bernadine P. Healy, MD, Staff’85
  • 1987: Rene G. Favaloro, MD, TS'65
  • 1985: F. Mason Sones, Jr, MD, Staff’50

Service

The Service Award, established in 1999, to recognize alumni who have generously dedicated themselves to the growth and advancement of Cleveland Clinic and/or Alumni Association. Nominees must have demonstrated exceptional commitment and service to Cleveland Clinic for several years.

Award

  • Awardee will receive a framed certificate.
  • Awardee will be highlighted in an upcoming issue of the Alumni Connection magazine.
  • Awardee will be recognized at the annual Fall Alumni Association Awards Reception.

Criteria

Nominees should have completed at least one satisfactory year of a recognized post-graduate medical education program under the auspices of the Graduate Medical Education Department of Cleveland Clinic or be a current or former member of the Professional Staff for a minimum of three years. Participation in the Alumni Association will be considered but is not required. Nominees can be recognized posthumously. Current members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors are not eligible.

Nomination

Is there someone you would like to nominate for this award?

  • 2025: Edward C. Benzel, MD, Staff '99
  • 2024: John Clough, MD, GL-1'66, IM’67, IM’71
  • 2023: Khaldoun Tarakji, MD, MPH, IM’04, CARD’09, EP’11
  • 2023: Gary H. Dworkin, MD, TCS’92
  • 2022: Patrick Tchou, MD, Staff’94
  • 2021: Richard Drake, PhD, Staff'03
  • 2021: Susan Rehm, MD, IM'81, ID'83
  • 2019: Pauline Kwok, MD, TRS’95, DR’00, ABI’01
  • 2018: Philip Bailin, MD, MBA, D'74
  • 2017: Lee M. Adler, DO, IM’75
  • 2017: James W. Lewis, MD, IM’70, H/N’71, RES’74
  • 2016: Robert E. Hobbs, MD, CARD’79
  • 2015: Zeyd Y. Ebrahim, MD, AN’81
  • 2015: Lilian V. Gonsalves-Ebrahim, MD, P’81
  • 2014: Edwin G. Beven, MD, S’62, VS’63
  • 2014: Robert E. Hermann, MD, Staff’62
  • 2013: Mehdi Razavi, MD, CARD’67
  • 2006: Daniel J. Wilson, MD, IM’76, RES’79, H/N’79
  • 2004: Sandra S. Stranscak, Alumni Association Executive Director (1985–2010)
  • 1999: Albert V.G. Bruschke, MD, CARD’72
  • 1999: Isabella K. Sharpe, MD, GL-1’74, IM’76, PULMCC’78
  • 1999: William M. Michener, MD, Staff’61

Early Career

The Early Career Alumnus Award, established in 2022, recognizes alumni for remarkable achievements and leadership which have brought pride and recognition to Cleveland Clinic. Nominees should have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in their professions balanced with dedicated contributions of time, energy and resources to the community.

Award

  • Awardee will receive a framed certificate.
  • Awardee will be highlighted in an upcoming issue of the Alumni Connection magazine.
  • Awardee will be recognized at the annual Fall Alumni Association Awards Reception.

Criteria

Nominees must be within 10 years of completing a recognized training program and have distinguished themselves in the following areas: Clinical Practice, Education, Research, Community Leadership and/or Service. Nominees can be recognized posthumously. Current members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors are not eligible.

Nomination

Is there someone you would like to nominate for this award?

  • 2026: Olivia H. Chang, MD, UG/PS’21
  • 2025: Tamara Strohm, MD, N'17
  • 2025: Lisa Hickman, MD, OB/GYN'17, UG/PS'20
  • 2024: Bradley Gill, MD, MS, CCLCM'12, S'13, U'18
  • 2023: Monique Hassan, MD, MBA, FACS, S/ALB’18
  • 2022: Renee Salas, MD, CCLCM'09

Graduate Level-One (GL-1)

Established in 1987, the Graduate Level-One Award is to recognize an outstanding first-year resident, identified by her/his peers, for personal and professional qualities beyond the ordinary.

This award introduces first year residents to Cleveland Clinic Alumni Association and demonstrates the commitment alumni feel toward future generations of Clinic-trained physicians and scientists worldwide.

Award

  • Awardee will receive a cash award of $1,000.
  • Awardee will receive a framed certificate.
  • Awardee will be highlighted in an upcoming issue of the Alumni Connection magazine.
  • Awardee will be recognized at the annual Alumni Association Spring Reception.

Eligibility

Individuals eligible for this award must be clinical residents in their first year of training (PGY1). The recipients of this award are selected from nominations based on the following criteria:

  • Clinical Excellence/Knowledge.
  • Interpersonal Communication Skills.
  • Character.
  • Unique Accomplishments.

Criteria

  • Statement describing why the applicant or nominee should be considered for the award. Provide examples pertaining to their eligibility.

  • 2026: Jad Daw, MD, IM
  • 2025: Taha Hatab, MD, IM
  • 2024: Erika Schmidt, MD, S
  • 2023: Kristina Dortche, MD, U
  • 2022: Abby Gross, MD, GS
  • 2021: Jamesha Ford, DO, FM
  • 2020: Kavya Kommaraju, MD, IM
  • 2019: Charlie Lin, MD, IM
  • 2018: Benjamin Whiting, MD, NS
  • 2017: Robert Naples, DO, S
  • 2016: Ian Puffenberger, MD, ACLPTH
  • 2015: Dipika Menon, MD, PD
  • 2014: Jessica N. Barry, MD, PD
  • 2013: Rayji Sean Tsutsui, MD, IM
  • 2012: Daniel Joyce, MD, S
  • 2011: Keith R. Bachmann, MD, ORS
  • 2010: Kiranpreet Kaur Khurana, MD, S
  • 2009: Michael L. Kelly, MD, NS
  • 2008: Ibrahim Hanouneh, MD, IM
  • 2007: Kevin M. El-Hayek, MD, S
  • 2006: Juan P. Cata, MD, AN
  • 2005: Arti Jayant Choure, MD, IM
  • 2004: Inder Singh, MD, MS, IM
  • 2004: Darren A. Guy, DO, PD
  • 2003: Matthew D. Kroh, MD, S
  • 2003: Francisco J. Marrero, MD, IM
  • 2002: Todd F. Ritzman, MD, ORS
  • 2001: Harmohinder S. Athwal, MD, P
  • 2000: Rita Shi-Ming Lee, MD, IMPC
  • 1999: Jennifer Ann Wojtowicz, DO, IM
  • 1998: Christine Noga Booth, MD, ACLPTH
  • 1997: Lynette P. Davenport, MD, IM
  • 1996: Victoria L. Fribley-Carrington, MD, P
  • 1995: Russell P. Saneto, DO, PhD, PD
  • 1994: Christi Ferraro Matteoni, MD, IM
  • 1993: Viktor E. Krebs, MD, ORS
  • 1992: Lori Kmiec Posk, MD, IM
  • 1991: Richard W. Grady, MD, U
  • 1990: Ghassan Safadi, MD, PD
  • 1989: Robert E. Foster, MD, TRS
  • 1988: Donald P. Brady, MD, N
  • 1987: Carlos M. Isada, MD, IM

Dr. Satoru & Grace Nakamoto

Established in 2022 by Dr. Christopher and Donna Lew, the Dr. Satoru and Grace Nakamoto Award for the Development of Leadership in Medical Humanities and Arts is a $5,000 grant given annually to an individual whose peers and teachers identify them attributes that embody true leadership qualities.

Dr. Satoru Nakamoto was a trailblazer at Cleveland Clinic. In 1957 he finished his training in cardiovascular disease and by 1976 he was appointed the head of the newly formed Department of Hemodialysis where he became a pioneer in dialysis and renal transplantation. Additionally, Dr. Nakamoto played a large role in teaching nephrology fellows the technical aspects of dialysis as well as how to care for transplant and chronic dialysis patients. He was the consummate physician, researcher, educator, but above all else he made patient care his priority. To honor his memory his family has decided to establish the Dr. Satoru and Grace Nakamoto Award for the Development of Leadership in Medical Humanities and Arts.

The annual awardee is someone who has demonstrated a commitment to learning, superior communication abilities and a mastery of medical skills. The recipient also embodies the courage, integrity and compassion that represent the highest ideals of clinical medicine. The award is to be used to assist the awardee in development of a project to enhance their leadership and/or humanitarian activities in the field of medical humanities.

Prior to 2022, this award was formerly known as the Dr. William and Roxanna Michener Award.

Award

  • Awardee will receive a cash award of $5,000.
  • Awardee will receive a framed certificate.
  • Awardee will be highlighted in an upcoming issue of the Alumni Connection magazine.
  • Awardee will be recognized at the annual Alumni Association Spring Reception.

Eligibility

Applicants must be of Graduate Level 2 (PGY-2) or above, with a minimum of one (1) additional training year in a medical or surgical residency or fellowship program at Cleveland Clinic. Applicants may choose to expand upon the projects of past recipients; prior recipients who enter an additional training program are not eligible.

Criteria

  • Statement of Intention for Award must include applicant’s vision for their project and include an itemized budget.
  • Recipient must present the results of their project to the Alumni Board of Directors.
  • Recipient must be willing to share the results of their award experience with the alumni and staff body at large and/or in targeted press releases to promote the award, their work, and Cleveland Clinic.

  • 2021: Robbie Zimbroff, MD, IM
  • 2020: Amit Goyal, MD, CARD
  • 2019: Charlotte Horne, MD, S
  • 2018: Chelsea Garcia, MD, IM
  • 2017: Vishal Vashistha, MD, IM
  • 2016: Voranaddha Vacharathit, MD, S
  • 2015: Vikram D. Krishnamurthy, MD, ES
  • 2013/2014: Vipan Nikore, MD, MBA, IM
  • 2012: Raghav Govindarajan, MD, N
  • 2012: James Lui, MD, NS
  • 2011: Kevin M. El-Hayek, MD, S
  • 2010: Molly Michelle Wimbiscus, MD, P, CHP
  • 2009: Joyce K. Lee, MD, N
  • 2008: Mia Zaharna, MD, P
  • 2007: Joseph M. Austerman, DO, P, CHP
  • 2006: Alyssa A. Riley, MD, PD

  • 2026: Hala Mouhydeen, MD, IM
  • 2025: Sara Rahman, MD, UG/PS
  • 2024: Alice Sonnino, MD, IM
  • 2023: Thomas Das, MD, CARD
  • 2022: Akshay Sharma, MD, NS

Alfred & Norma Stoller GME Award

Alfred and Norma Stoller Award for Virtue-Based Leadership in Graduate Medical Education

Established in 2023, the Alfred and Norma Stoller Award for Virtue-Based Leadership in Graduate Medical Education, named for Alfred and Norma Stoller, provides a $2,000 grant to a clinical trainee in graduate medical education at Cleveland Clinic (second program year or above). The purpose of the award is to support the recipient in the development of a project in healthcare that exemplifies and drives one or more of the seven classic virtues - trust, compassion, hope, justice, wisdom, temperance, and courage (1-6).

History of the award

Alfred (1919 – 2011) and Norma (1923-1991) Stoller were parents of James K. Stoller, MD, MS (Chair, Education Institute; Staff, Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic) and grandparents of Jacob Fox Stoller. Alfred and Norma were deeply committed to educating their family. Alfred Stoller's own plans for graduate school were scuttled by his father's (Jacob Stoller) early passing, forcing him to take over his father's business, a small retail luggage store in the Bronx, New York. Based upon grit, hard work, self-sacrifice, and great frugality, Alfred and Norma Stoller sent both of their sons to private colleges and medical schools, debt-free. This was the crowning achievement of their lives and their spirit of giving of oneself in service of others is the core of this award. The hope is that the awardee, through their work with this grant and career in medicine, will perpetuate these virtue-based values.

Award

  • Awardee will receive a cash award of $2,000.
    • This amount will annually be reviewed and adjusted appropriately by the holder of the Stoller Family Chair in Medical Education, after consultation with the Alumni Association.
  • A signed copy of the book, Better Humans, Better Performance: Driving Leadership, Teamwork, and Culture with Intentionality by Rea, P., Stoller, J.K., & Kolp, A., will also be awarded to the recipient.
  • Awardee will receive a framed certificate.
  • Awardee will be highlighted in an upcoming issue of the Alumni Connection magazine.
  • Awardee will be recognized at the annual Alumni Association Spring Reception.

Eligibility

Recipient exemplifies and drives one or more of the seven classic virtues - trust, compassion, hope, justice, wisdom, temperance, and courage (1-6).

Criteria

  • Written proposal to the Nominating Committee of the Alumni Association that is responsive to the objectives stated above. The resources cited below provide insight into the virtues and their impact as drivers of high performance.
  • A summary of the project and its outcomes to be submitted to the Alumni Association Board of Directors at the completion of the project (12 months from the award) and the report will be shared with representatives of the Stoller family, if available.

  • 2026: Sarah Kiani, MD, PULMCC
  • 2025: Evan O’Malley, DO, CCAG FM
  • 2024: Akshay Sharma, MD, NS

Alfred & Norma Stoller Medical School Award

Alfred and Norma Stoller Award for Virtue-Based Leadership in Medical School

Established in 2023, the Alfred and Norma Stoller Award for Virtue-Based Leadership in Medical School, named for Alfred and Norma Stoller, provides a $500 award to a medical student (any year) at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, in recognition of a well-described accomplishment during medical school that exemplifies and drives one or more of the seven classic virtues - trust, compassion, hope, justice, wisdom, temperance, and courage (1-6).

History of the award

Alfred (1919 – 2011) and Norma (1923-1991) Stoller were parents of James K. Stoller, MD, MS (Chair, Education Institute; Staff, Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic) and grandparents of Jacob Fox Stoller. Alfred and Norma were deeply committed to educating their family. Alfred Stoller's own plans for graduate school were scuttled by his father's (Jacob Stoller) early passing, forcing him to take over his father's business, a small retail luggage store in the Bronx, New York. Based upon grit, hard work, self-sacrifice, and great frugality, Alfred and Norma Stoller sent both of their sons to private colleges and medical schools, debt-free. This was the crowning achievement of their lives and their spirit of giving of oneself in service of others is the core of this award. The hope is that the awardee, through their work with this grant and career in medicine, will perpetuate these virtue-based values.

Award

  • Awardee will receive a cash award of $500.
    • This amount will be reviewed annually and adjusted appropriately by the holder of the Stoller Family Chair in Medical Education, after consultation with the Alumni Association.
  • A signed copy of the book, Better Humans, Better Performance: Driving Leadership, Teamwork, and Culture with Intentionality by Rea, P., Stoller, J.K., & Kolp, A., will also be awarded to the recipient.
  • Awardee will receive a framed certificate.
  • Awardee will be highlighted in an upcoming issue of the Alumni Connectionmagazine.
  • Awardee will be recognized at the annual Alumni Association Spring Reception.

Eligibility

  • Recipient exemplifies and drives one or more of the 7 classic virtues - trust, compassion, hope, justice, wisdom, temperance, and courage (1-6).

Criteria

  • Written proposal to the Nominating Committee of the Cleveland Clinic Alumni Association that is responsive to the objectives stated above. The resources cited below provide insight into the virtues and their impact as drivers of high performance.
  • A summary of the project and its outcomes to be submitted to the Alumni Association at the completion of the project (12 months from the award) and the report will be shared with representatives of the Stoller family, if available.

  • 2026: Jeffrey Shu, MD, CCLCM’26
  • 2025: Chineme Onwubueke, MD, CCLCM’25
  • 2024: Gustavo Roversi, MD, CCLCM'24