Heritage College holds in-person awards event for 2022 grads
For the first time in two years, the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine held its commencement awards ceremony in person. On Friday, May 6, the day before commencement, college leaders, faculty, staff, family and friends joined members of the Class of 2022 in celebration of their accomplishments.
Isaac Kirstein, D.O., dean of Heritage College, Cleveland, spoke on the significance of the awards ceremony stating that, “this ceremony allows us the opportunity for recognition of individual achievements, to reconnect with classmates, faculty and administrators and to celebrate your accomplishments with your friends and family.”
Athens campus Class of 2022 President Ziyue Wang and Cleveland campus Class of 2022 President Wendy Kuzmishin highlighted the challenges unique to their graduating class, including spending half their training in the midst of a pandemic. Kuzmishin said the graduates not only survived medical school but thrived.
“In addition to completing our rigorous coursework and excelling in clinical spaces, our class has been able to conduct original published research, serve our local communities through meaningful service work and be leaders in osteopathic medicine both in and out of the clinic,” said Kuzmishin.
The award winners recognized during the ceremony are as follows:
Departmental Awards
Biomedical Sciences Award
Elizabeth Ann Jensen
Family Practice Award
Alanna Meadows
Obstetrics and Gynecology Award
Meghan Linz
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Award
Nathan Katz
Pediatrics Award
Laura (Dannie) Roberts
Social Medicine Award
Ryan Vagedes
Global Health Award
Saron Checkole
Specialty Medicine Award
Jenna Marie Tabbaa
Clinical Awards
Adena Health System
Tiffany D. Downs
Central Ohio
Matthew Allen Kochheiser
Cleveland Clinic Akron General
Molly Curtiss
Cleveland Clinical Campus
Marcus D. Lowe Jr.
Eastern
Simon Ferrato Moskowitz
Fairfield Medical Center
Brandon M. Snyder
Firelands Regional Medical Center
Nina Alexandra Grillis
Holzer Health System
Mary Kaitlin VanHooser
Kettering Health
Katherine Etter
Lake Health
Elizabeth Detwiler
Memorial Health System
Ana Aguilar
Mercy Health St. Rita’s Medical Center
William John Naber II
Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center
Bailey Slone White
Ohio Health O’Bleness Hospital
Jarret K. Vrabel
Southern Ohio Medical Center
Gabriel Howard
Research Awards
Outstanding Research Award
Kyle McGrath
Outstanding Research Award – Dual Degree
Elizabeth Ann Jensen
Dean’s Awards
Athens Campus
Sabrina Talbert
Dublin Campus
Edward Passen
Cleveland Campus
Gwendolyn Burden Kuzmishin
Executive Dean’s Endowed Scholarships
Logan O'Keefe
Marcus Lowe
Edward Passen
All-College Awards
Student Doctor of the Year
Sami Nandyal
Diversity and Inclusion Advocate Award
Alicia N. Rodgers
Osteopathic Leadership and Service Award
Andrew D. Williams
Dr. Robbin Kirkland Award for Professionalism
Nicole Siliko
Osteopathic Heritage Award
Tiffany D. Downs
Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial Award
(Recognizes the spouse or partner of a graduating medical student for their support)
Michelle E. Hayes, partner of Christopher Hayes, D.O.
Primary Care Associates
David Strawhun
Emily Schaeffer
Nathan Katz
Chynna Smith
Ryan Vagedes
Sami Nandyal
Alicia Rodgers
Nicholas Racchi
Sarah Gaston
Tiffany Downs