Press Release
May 29, 2007
Contact: Jerry Carey
Phone: (856) 566-6171
careyge@umdnj.edu
UMDNJ Graduates Earn Academic and Clinical Honors
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NEWARK — Administrators from the eight schools that make up the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) awarded academic and clinical honors to a select group of students from among this year’ s 1,479 graduates, the largest class in the history of UMDNJ.
Dr. Atul Gawande, an assistant professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School/Brigham & Women’s Hospital, and the author of Complications: A Surgeon’s Notes on an Imperfect Science, delivered the keynote address at the UMDNJ commencement exercises on May 22. Dr. Gawande, who is also a staff writer for the New Yorker, and a columnist for The New England Journal of Medicine, reminded the graduates that their task “is the betterment of as many lives as possible” and that they have “the diligence, ingenuity and commitment” to meet that challenge.
The graduating students who received academic and clinical honors are as follows:
BERGEN COUNTY
UMDNJ-Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences: Shakti Ramkissoon, PhD, of Midland Park, Stanley S. Bergen, Jr., MD, Medal of Excellence
UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School: Kristin Elizabeth Dunn, DMD, of Elmwood Park, Quintessence Award For Achievement in Periodontics; Danish Qadri, DMD, of Fort Lee, Alumni Leadership Award; American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Award; American Academy of Orofacial Pain Award; Pierre Fauchard Academy Award; Indian Dental Association of North America Award; NJ Dental School Student Leadership Distinguished Service Award; Quintessence Award For Research Achievement; Janna Jo Kohout, DMD, of Oradell, International College of Dentists Award; NJ Academy for Pediatric Dentistry Award; Freyda B. Cohen, DMD, of Teaneck, NJ Academy of General Dentistry Award; Annette J. Paczek, DMD, of Wallington, Dr. Robert E. Gillis Memorial Award and NJ Academy for Pediatric Dentistry Award
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School: Eleni Maneta, MD, of Woodcliff Lake, Merck Manual Award; Inna Nutanson, MD, of Fair Lawn, NJ Medical Women’s Association Dr. Gertrude Ash Memorial Award; Wesley Liao, MD, of Teaneck, Drs. Milton & Rose Prystowsky Award and Dr. Jacob L. Dreskin Award; Jaclyn Estelle Ruggiero, MD, of Paramus, 2007 Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award; Shakti H. Ramkissoon, MD, of Midland Park, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin Award; David Turkel-Parrella, MD, of Teaneck, American Academy of Neurology Medical Student Prize for Excellence in Neurology
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School: Ranjith Ramasamy, MD, of Hackensack, Excellence in Research Award; William Jesse Kayal, MD, of Mahwah, Academic Excellence in Family Medicine Award; Karan Garg, MD, of New Milford, Academic Excellence in Surgery Award
UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions: Sara Margaret Browne, DPT, of Hasbrouck Heights, Doctor of Physical Therapy Clinical Award; Sean Thomas Ahrens, BS, of Hasbrouck Heights, Medical Laboratory Science Clinical Award; Natasha Melissa Hastoo, BS, of Teaneck, Cytotechnology Clinical Award
UMDNJ-School of Nursing: Lei Ann Mae Mabguhos Gaurano, SN, of Bergenfield; Debora Lou Tracey, MSN, Virginia Marie Clerkin, MSN, of Mahwah; and Cristina Marie Stearns, MSN, of Paramus , Student Excellence Awards
UMDNJ-School of Public Health: Azadeh Tasslimi, BA, of Ramsey, Stuart D. Cook, MD, Student Public Health Research Award, NJ DHSS Student Award, Bernard D. Goldstein, MD, Award, Delta Omega Honorary Society
BURLINGTON COUNTY
UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School: Jennifer Lee Cully, DMD, of Mt. Laurel, NJ Academy for Pediatric Dentistry Award; NJ Dental School Student Leadership and Distinguished Service Award
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School: Tony Rabib Tarchichi, of Mt. Laurel, Dr. Joan P. Liman Pennies from Heaven Award
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School: Brian Vaughan O'Neal, MD, of Mt. Laurel, Academic Excellence in Psychiatry Award
UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions: Lisa Marie LaSalle, AAS, of Columbus, AAS Respiratory Therapy Academic Award; Lynn Marie Laganella, MS, of Medford, MS Psychiatric Rehabilitation Academic Award; Kevin Phillip Schnitzer, MPT, of Mt. Laurel, Master of Physical Therapy Academic Award
UMDNJ-School of Nursing: Kathleen Sofield Gigantiello, BSN, of Shamong, Student Excellence Award
UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine: Kelly A. Schiers, DO, of Hainesport, Stanley S. Bergen, Jr., MD, Medal of Excellence, Community Service Award; Kathleen F. McGinley, DO, of Lumberton, Humanities Award; Jorge D. Ramos, DO, of Marlton, Outstanding Achievement in Internal Medicine Award
CAMDEN COUNTY
UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School: Monica Kumari Singh, DMD, of Lindenwold, Fauchard Dental Society of NJ Annual Student Award; Fauchard Dental Society of NJ/Dr. Anthony Volpe Student Distinguished Service Award
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School: Michelle Joanne Khan, MD, of Cherry Hill, Academic Excellence in Research Award; Scott Robert Kuo, MD, of Cherry Hill, Student Outreach Program Award; Khadija Nikema Dugan, MD, of Clementon, Student Outreach Program Award; Nina Leyson Martinez, MD, of Lindenwold, and Adrienne G. Collier, MD, of Runnemede, Associate Dean's Recognition Award; Alyson Leigh Feigenbaum, MD, of Voorhees, Student Outreach Program Award; Esi M. Rhett, MD, of Voorhees, Academic Excellence in Anesthesiology Award
UMDNJ-School of Nursing: Alicia Kornicki, BSN, of Blackwood, Student Excellence Award
UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine: Seth E. Vatsky, DO, of Cherry Hill, The Dean’s Award for Outstanding Achievement, Outstanding Achievement in Cell Biology Award, Outstanding Achievement in Ob/Gyn Award, Outstanding Achievement in Pathology Award; David M. Richter, DO, of Collingswood, Outstanding Achievement in Surgery Award; John M. Neidecker, DO, of Lindenwold, Outstanding Achievement in Primary Care Award; Gilbert Siu, DO, of Voorhees, Outstanding Achievement in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Award, Outstanding Achievement in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Award; Jonathan D. Jaffe, DO, of Voorhees, NJAOPS Award for Excellence in Osteopathic Medicine
UMDNJ-School of Public Health: Donna DiBruno, DO, of Berlin, Delta Omega Honorary Society; Joan M. Gray, BSN, of Haddonfield, Student Community Service Award, Student Government Association Award, and Delta Omega Honorary Society
CAPE MAY COUNTY
UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions: Karen P. Burke, MS, of Wildwood, MS Psychiatric Rehabilitation Clinical Award
ESSEX COUNTY
UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School: Junior Bertho Vertil, DMD, of Irvington, Uriel Gunthrope Award; Elda Lambert Fisher, DMD, of Montclair, Alumni Leadership Award, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Award, American College of Dentists New Jersey Section Award, Dr. Frank Frates Outstanding Clinical Award, Chesky Kleiner Humanitarian Award, NJ Dental School Student Leadership Distinguished Service Award; Dmitry Shapiro, DMD, of Newark, Quintessence Award For Achievement in Restorative Dentistry; Jeffrey Walter Lane, DMD, of West Orange, Academy of Dental Materials Award, Academy of General Dentistry Award, Alpha Omega National Fraternity Award, American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Award, American Academy of Oral Medicine Award, American Academy of Periodontology Award, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Implant Award, Fauchard Dental Society of NJ/Dr. Anthony Volpe Student Distinguished Service Award and NJ Dental Association Award
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School: Torian J. Easterling, MD, of Newark, Dr. Joan P. Liman Pennies from Heaven Award and Essex County Medical Society Awards; Jennie Lopez, MD, of Bloomfield, Dr. Joan P. Liman Pennies from Heaven Award; Benjamin Takkay Li, MD, of Newark, Department of Psychiatry Faculty Award; Suzanne Kathleen Bentley, MD, of West Caldwell, Emergency Medicine Award
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School: Jennifer Endres, MD, of Nutley, Community Service Award, Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, Alumni Award; Narayan Viswanadhan, MD, of West Orange, Academic Excellence in Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Award
UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions: Hima Bindu Vattikonda, MS, of Belleville, MS Biomedical Informatics Academic Award; Erica Jonas Lotto, Post Prof. DPT, of Caldwell, Post Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy Academic Award; Erbeea Rosa Lonon, BS, of Neptune, Medical Laboratory Science Academic Award; Aline Jean-Marie, CERT, of Newark, Dietetic Internship Clinical Award; Deisther Marie Muñoz, BS, of Newark, BS Psychiatric Rehabilitation & Psychology Clinical Award
UMDNJ-School of Nursing: Abigail B. Osei, BSN, and Samira Sulemana, BSN, of Newark, Student Excellence Award; Debra Lynn Sutton, BSN, of West Orange, Dean's Award for Student Leadership, Student Excellence Award; Nelson Umegbolu, BSN, of West Orange, Dean's Award for Student Leadership
GLOUCESTER COUNTY
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School: Maame Yaa Amankwah Boakye Yiadom, MD, of Glassboro, Student Outreach Program Award; Nicole Marie Leopardi, MD, of Turnersville, The Sidney J. Sussman, MD, Award in Pediatrics, Student Outreach Program Award
UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions: Roshawnda Nicole Wesley, AAS, of Glassboro, AAS Respiratory Therapy South Clinical Award; Lorrie Anne Covolesky, MS, of Mantua, MS Rehabilitation Counseling Academic Award
HUDSON COUNTY
UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School: Abdelaziz Ouzidane, DMD, of Jersey City, International Congress of Oral Implantologists Award; Jeffrey Todd Stewart, DMD, of Jersey City, American Association of Endodontists Award; Dentsply International, Inc., Merit Award
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School: Hiral J. Patel, MD, of North Bergen, Stanley S. Bergen, Jr., MD, Medal of Excellence and American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin Award; Katherine Ann Coleman, MD, of Hoboken, Centro Amici Ophthalmology Award
UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions: Ryan Chavez Nanola, AS, of Jersey City, AS Respiratory Therapy North Academic Award; Donna Katrina Orpilla, BS, of Kearney, Vascular Technology Academic Award; John Bernard Talty, MPT, of Secaucus, Master of Physical Therapy Clinical Award; Fernando Salas, BS, of West New York, Nuclear Medicine Technology Academic Award
UMDNJ-School of Nursing: Danielle Marie Braak, BSN, of Jersey City, Student Excellence Award
UMDNJ-School of Public Health: Brooke Hodes, BS, of Hoboken, Bernard D. Goldstein, MD, Award, Delta Omega Honorary Society
HUNTERDON COUNTY
UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions: Kimberly Lynn Schneider, MS, of Annandale, MS Rehabilitation Counseling Clinical Award
MERCER COUNTY
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School: Katherine Pamela Saltstein, MD, of Pennington, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Award; William Joseph Sproule, MD, of Princeton, David E. Ross Memorial Award
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School: Suzannah Elizabeth Stout, MD, of Princeton, Associate Dean's Recognition Award, Academic Excellence in Cell and Systems Biology Award, Award for Exemplifying Human Values in Family Medicine, Academic Excellence in Physiology Award and Student Outreach Program Award
UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions: Alison Hope Bigwood, CERT, of Princeton, Dietetic Internship Academic Award
UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine: Christian White, DO, of Ewing, Outstanding Achievement in Psychiatry Award
UMDNJ-School of Public Health: Michelle Williams Robertson, MD, of Lawrenceville, Bernard D. Goldstein, MD, Award and Delta Omega Honorary Society
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School: Amy Tanchyk, DMD, of East Brunswick, American Dental Society of Anesthesiology Award; New Jersey Dental School Student Leadership Distinguished Service Award; New York Academy of Dentistry Award; Northeastern Society of Periodontics, Inc., Award
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School: Amanda Valerie Schroepfer, MD, of Piscataway, Dr. Joan P. Liman Pennies from Heaven Award; Andrew E. Azer, MD, of East Brunswick, Faculty Organization Award; Ankitkumar Kirankumar Patel, MD of Middlesex, Dr. Alexander Gordon Memorial Endowed Scholarship Award
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School: Bhairav Virendra Shah, MD, of Dayton, Student Outreach Program Award; Teo-Carlo Straun, MD, of New Brunswick, Community Service Award
UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions: Amrita Roperia, AS, of Dayton, AS Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Treatment Academic Award; Maura Bruno, MS, of Edison, MS Clinical Nutrition Academic Award; Dana Michelle Bush, BS, of Miltown , BS Psychiatric Rehabilitation & Psychology Academic Award; Alena J. Appelbaum, MS, of Piscataway, MS Physician Assistant Academic Award; Judith Ann Luksa, BS, of Port Reading, BS Health Sciences Academic Award
UMDNJ-School of Nursing: Sally Anne Rocchietti, ASN, of Middlesex, Dean's Award for Student Leadership; Joanne Marie Howard, BSN, of Miltown, Laua Danbeck, ASN, of New Brunswick and Elzbieta Ponichtera, ASN, of Parlin, Student Excellence Awards
UMDNJ-School of Public Health: Leena Tapan Kamat, MBBS, of Edison, and Sejal V. Dave, BS, of Piscataway, Bernard D. Goldstein, MD, Award; Kimberly L. Maltz, BA, of Fords, Gerald Alan Harris, BS, of Highland Park, and Hila Feldman Berger, BS, of Piscataway, Delta Omega Honorary Society; Robin Schwartz, BA, of Highland Park, Bernard D. Goldstein, MD, Award and Delta Omega Honorary Society
MONMOUTH COUNTY
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School: Lisette Helen Casagrande, MD, of Spring Lake, Dr. Harold J. Jeghers Future Internist Award; David James Van Why, MD, of Howell, Dr. Alexander Gordon Memorial Endowed Scholarship Award
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School: Josephine Ambruzs, MD, of Middletown, Bruce Fisher Award
UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions: Jennifer Lynn Rotberg, BS, of Howell, Vascular Technology Clinical Award; Josephine Diana Lipomi, AAS, of Marlboro, AAS Dental Hygiene Clinical Award
UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine: Justin S. Skolnick, DO, of Manalapan, Outstanding Achievement in Emergency Medicine Award
MORRIS COUNTY
UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School: Steven Sam Toth, DMD, of Morris Plains, Academy of Operative Dentistry Award; Heather Blake Wolen, DMD, of Randolph, American Academy of Craniofacial Pain Award; American Association of Oral Biologists Award; American Association of Orthodontists Award; American Association of Women Dentists Award
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School: David Leonard Andolino, MD, of Morristown, and Misty D. Melendi, MD, of Madison, Merck Manual Award
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School: David Melon, MD, of Budd Lake, Academic Achievement Award, Academic Excellence in Microbiology and Immunology Award, Academic Excellence in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Award, and Academic Excellence in Pharmacology Award; Thalia Margalit, MD, of Flanders, Associate Dean's Recognition Award, The Angelo P. Angelides, MD, Award in Medicine, Michelle Wallenstein, MD, of Morris Plains, Academic Excellence in Obstetrics and Gynecology Award; Nivedita Ghosh, MD, of Morris Plains, Academic Achievement Award, Academic Excellence in Primary Care Medicine Award, Stanley S. Bergen, Jr., MD, Medal of Excellence; Heather Grigo, MD, of Morristown, Student Leadership Award; James Ward, MD, of Parsippany, Academic Excellence in Behavioral Science and Psychiatry Award; Andrew Scott Boxer, MD, of Rockaway, Student Outreach Program Award
UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions: Kelly L. Jachera, CERT, of Landing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Award; Michelle Heidi Milner, DPT, of Towaco, Doctor of Physical Therapy Academic Award
UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine: Alison M. Mancuso, DO, of Long Valley, Outstanding Achievement in Family Medicine Award; Pauline Wu, DO, of Parsippany, Outstanding Achievement in Geriatrics Award
UMDNJ-School of Public Health: Puza Pabna Sharma, MPH, of Budd Lake, Delta Omega Honorary Society
OCEAN COUNTY
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School: Pia Angela Bonura, MD, of Lakewood, Associate Dean's Recognition Award , The John L. Gaines, MD, Award in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Student Outreach Program Award; John Peter Mills, MD, of Whiting, Student Outreach Program Award
UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions: Amy Lynn Gretkowski, BS, of Toms River, Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Award
PASSAIC COUNTY
UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School: Eric Douglas Veenstra, DMD, of Haledon, American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award; Naba Suhail Hadi, DMD, of Hawthorne, Academy of Osseointegration Award, Chesky Kleiner Humanitarian Award; Dale Robert Rosenbach, DMD, of Passaic, American Academy of Gold Foil Operators Award; Eyal Simchi, DMD, of Passaic, American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry Award; Mark Lewis Danbe, DMD, of Wayne, American College of Prosthodontics Award, Water Pik Prosthodontic Award
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School: Barbara Zarebezan, MD, of Clifton, The Rudolph C. Camishion, MD, Award in Surgery, Student Outreach Program Award; Huma Qamar Rana, MD, of Clifton, Faculty Award
UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions: Dipen Chandrakant Patel, BS, of Passaic, Cytotechnology Academic Award; Dana Gabrielle Cortese, MS, of Ringwood, MS Physician Assistant Clinical Award
UMDNJ-School of Nursing: Carol Michelle Thomas, MSN, of Clifton, and Rene Julia Shaw, BSN, of Little Falls, Student Excellence Awards
SALEM COUNTY
UMDNJ-School of Nursing: Kelli Beth Nelson, BSN, of Elmer, Student Excellence Award
SOMERSET COUNTY
UMDNJ-Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences: Anna Puzio-Kuter, PhD, of Manville, National Institutes of Health National Research Service Award
UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School: Rishi I. Nijhawan, DMD, of Branchburg, American Equilibration Society Award; Khurram M. Siddiqui, DMD, of Hillsborough, Dr. Irwin Quinn Memorial Award; Sanjeev Kumar Satwah, DMD, of Somerset, American Association of Public Health Dentistry Award; Indian Dental Association of North America Award; NJ Dental School Student Leadership Distinguished Service Award, American Student Dental Association Excellence Award
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School: Richard Clarence Novack, Jr., of Basking Ridge, Merck Manual Award
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School: Nancy Martin, MD, of Basking Ridge, Academic Excellence in Psychiatry, Rikki Racela, MD, of Hillsborough, Student Leadership Award
UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions: Jodi Elaine DeVincentis, DPT, of Bedminster, Post Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy Academic Award; Benjamin John, PhD, of Somerset, PhD Biomedical Informatics Academic Award
UMDNJ-School of Public Health: Enzinma Achebe, BA, of South Bound Brook, Delta Omega Honorary Society; Sarika Aroroa, BS, of Warren, Bernard D. Goldstein, MD, Award, Delta Omega Honorary Society
SUSSEX COUNTY
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School: Richard George Byrne, MD, of Sparta, Academic Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award
UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions: Melissa Lynn Sheridan, BS, of Highland Lakes, Diagnostic Medical Sonography Academic Award
UNION COUNTY
UMDNJ-Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences: Helen Genova, PhD, of Union, Dean Morris Schaffer Endowed Scholarship, New Jersey Medical School Faculty Organization Award, NJ Neuropsychological Society Research Award
UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School: Bryan Michael Graye, DMD, of Westfield, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Award, Dr. Edward Wolfson Memorial Award
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School: Ines B. Wu, MD, of Westfield, Dr. Jacob Bleiberg Award
UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions: Ashmi M. Shah, AS, of Roselle Park, AS Respiratory Therapy North Clinical Award; Katie Jean Carlson, CERT, of Union, Dental Assisting Academic and Clinical Awards
UMDNJ-School of Nursing: Michele B. Yingling, MSN, of Scotch Plains, Stanley S. Bergen, Jr., MD, Medal of Excellence
UMDNJ-School of Public Health: Michelle Therese Bover, BS, of Scotch Plains, Delta Omega Honorary Society
WARREN COUNTY
UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School: Lauren Marie Sattazahn, DMD, of Oxford, NJ Dental School Student Leadership Distinguished Service Award
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School: Megan Helen Keane, MD, of Hackettstown, Dean Charles L. Brown Award, Ruy V. Lourenco, MD, Dean’s Achievement Award, NJ Medical Women’s Association Dr. Gertrude Ash Memorial Award and Dr. Alexander Gordon Memorial Endowed Scholarship Award
UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions: Jacob A. Griffin, AS, of Oxford, AS Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Treatment Clinical Award
UMDNJ-School of Nursing: Joan A. Pollner, MSN, of Phillipsburg, Student Excellence Award
The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) is the nation's largest free-standing public health sciences university with more than 5,700 students attending the state's three medical schools, its only dental school, a graduate school of biomedical sciences, a school of health related professions, a school of nursing and its only school of public health, on five campuses. Last year, there were more than two million patient visits to UMDNJ facilities and faculty at campuses in Newark, New Brunswick/Piscataway, Scotch Plains, Camden and Stratford. UMDNJ operates University Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center in Newark, and University Behavioral HealthCare, a mental health and addiction services network.
