Awards & Honors

The award is made in memory of C. Richard Bowman, 1974 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Medicine. The award is based upon performance during the clerkships and is awarded to the student who embodies the ideals and spirit of Dr. Bowman.

The award is presented in honor of former University President Edgar F. Shannon, Jr., by the Z Society to a student who has contributed in an outstanding way to the academic excellence of that School. Since 2008, the student body has voted on this award and considered excellence in extracurricular activities as well as well as academic – the “best” student.

The award is presented by the University of Virginia Medical Alumni Association to a member of the graduating class who has contributed in unique ways to excellence in the School of Medicine and fostered new student programs and initiatives.

The award is given in recognition of exceptional leadership.

The award was established by the Department of Pediatrics to honor Dr. Robert Blizzard, who served as chair from 1974 through 1987. The recipient is an individual who is committed to a career in Pediatrics and has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, particularly during the Pediatric clerkship.

The award is made in the memory of Samuel M. Brooke, Class of 1994. The award recognizes scholastic excellence in Hematology (as of 2012, The Hematology System).

The award was created by alumni and faculty on the occasion of the retirement of Dr. James R. Cash, Walter Reed Professor of Pathology for 32 years. It is awarded annually for the best scholastic achievement in Pathology.

The award was established in 1972 to honor Dr. Eastwood, the first Chair of the University of Virginia Department of Anesthesiology. It is awarded to a fourth year student who demonstrates excellence in Anesthesiology.

SAEM is pleased to sponsor the Medical Student Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award. This award is made available to each medical school to select a senior medical student who has demonstrated excellence in the specialty of emergency medicine.

The award was established in 1995 to recognize the contributions of Dr. Richard F. Edlich, Alumni Distinguished Professor, to Emergency Medicine at the University of Virginia. The award is presented to a graduating medical student whose innovative research in Emergency Medicine has resulted in significant improvement in patient care.

The award is given in memory of Dr. Herbert R. Farber, a 1940 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Medicine. It is presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated excellence in Internal Medicine and in the fine arts or athletics.

The award is sponsored by the graduating class of 1954 and is awarded to the graduating student who has done exemplary work in the community.

The award recognizes a student for their compassion and sensitivity in the delivery of care to patients and their families.

This award, established in 2002, is presented in honor of the former chair of the Department of Surgery, R. Scott Jones, M.D. The award is presented to a graduating student in recognition for their academic excellence in the surgical disciplines and their demonstrated humanity in patient care.

Collaborative Learning Award is given to recognize and reward students identified by their peers at the end of their pre-clinical clerkship as being most helpful to others in problem solving, active listening, and cooperative learning. The award is sponsored by the Medical Alumni Association.

This award recognizes excellence during the geriatric clerkship rotation.

The award is given in memory of Gratton Alexander Litz, III, a 1983 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Medicine. The award is based upon outstanding performance during the clerkship in Internal Medicine and recognizes an individual who has the ability to apply medical knowledge clinically and who demonstrates compassion for patients.

The award honors a fourth year medical student for exemplary research in Plastic Surgery, leading to improved quality and outcome of patient care.

The McDermott Award remembers the late Annette McDermott MD, who completed her internal medicine residency at UVA and enjoyed a private internal medicine primary care practice in Waynesboro, VA for several years before she died an early death from metastatic cancer. Her parents established this award several years ago through UVA’s Medical Alumni Association. Each year, it is presented to a graduating student who demonstrates particular dedication to serving patients, possibly in the practice of primary care.

The award was established in 2002. Students participating in any of the Basic Science or Clinical Science teaching electives are eligible for the annual Medical Student Teaching Award. Awards are given each year to one or more students demonstrating excellence in attaining or surpassing the self-directed goals of the elective. Winners are selected by a committee of faculty and medical students.

Established in 2021, the Patricia F. and Garrett E. Ruhl Psychiatry award recognizes a medical student who has demonstrated both a commitment to a career in psychiatry and outstanding academic achievement, particularly in the psychiatry clerkship.

The Class of 1967 established this award in recognition of the lifelong service of their classmate, Joseph F. Smiddy, MD. Beginning in 2020, the award will be presented to a fourth-year medical student who has demonstrated selfless service to the medically underserved. Recipients will be chosen for displaying reasonable self-sacrifice and generosity in serving others.

For Excellence in Anatomy and the Highest Anatomy Practical Exam Score.

For the highest performer averaged across the FCM 1B & 1C Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs).

For the medical student who embodies the ideals of the wise physician – “The wise physician is professional, has insight and knowledge about oneself and the world, is emotionally intelligent and compassionate, can cope with complexity and ambiguity, and has sound judgment.”

Each year students in the students in the prepclerkship curriculum are recognized for their exceptional performance in a System

The Highest (4) Performers Across All Systems during the Pre-Clerkship Phase.

This award is presented by the second-year class to a member of the faculty for excellence in teaching during the pre-clerkship phase of the curriculum.

The award was established by the Class of 1966 to honor the former Professor of Anatomy. It is given to a member of the House Staff (intern, resident, or fellow) felt by the graduating class to have displayed the greatest enthusiasm for teaching students while inspiring them through the common experience of uncertainty assuaged by ideas.

The award was established by a gift from the Class of 1964 in honor of the first faculty member of the School of Medicine. It is given by the graduating class to a member of the faculty in recognition of outstanding teaching efforts and personal contributions toward arousing interests and inspiring the endeavors of students.

The award was established in 1988 by the Mulholland Society and the Class of 1988 to emphasize the importance of departmental attitudes, dedication and teamwork toward effective teaching. It is given to the department selected by the graduating class in recognition of superior teaching by the faculty and house staff.

In 2020, the UVa AOA chapter, with broad input from students and faculty, chose to substantially modify the selection process. The goal of these changes was to foster a more holistic and equitable evaluation of students across key domains of scholarship, leadership, and community service.

The selection process timeline encourages organizational continuity. Selections are made by mid-March for the class that started Phase 3 in the previous January through the process outlined below:

1. CV review of all students entering the Match and graduating the following year by the Office of Student Affairs to select for consideration students who demonstrate excellence in one or more of the 3 key domains of scholarship, leadership, and community service.
2. List of students screened by College Deans for any significant professionalism concerns.
3. The remaining CVs are sent to a Faculty Committee for review. Two faculty members score independently in each domain.*
4. Clerkship grades are grouped in 3 tiers by the Office of Student Affairs for additional scores.
5. Final composite scores are compiled with the following weighting: 30% scholarship, 30% community service, 30% leadership, 10% clerkship grades. No more than 20% of the class is selected (approximately 30 students).*Note that activities prior to medical school will not be considered.

To facilitate the timeline for this process CVs are submitted in the ERAS format by mid-January
All students entering the Match and graduating will be reviewed.
All students will have the opportunity to update and resubmit CVs later in the spring for reference in preparation of the MSPE by the College Deans.

Started in 2003, the Gold Humanism Honor Society recognizes approximately 20 students in each class (1/6th) nominated by their peers for the following qualities and characteristics:

• Cares for patients with obvious compassion and empathy
• Maintains thoroughly professional demeanor and highest ethical standards
• Respects everyone
• Engenders patients’ trust and confidence
• Listens and communicates well, establishing good rapport with patients
• Shows cultural sensitivity to all personals, especially those of different ethnic/racial/spiritual backgrounds
• Seeks to help patients and families understand nature and impact of illness and treatment
• Attends to patients’ psychological well-being
• Advocates on behalf of patients with attending physician and team
• Works collegially as member of interprofessional health-care team
• Seeks and accepts help, criticism, and advice in order to improve performance
• Is committed to reflecting on and evaluating own attitudes, skills, and behaviors
• Engages in community activities and volunteer service

The Raven Society was founded at the University of Virginia in 1904. The Society’s objective is to promote fellowship among people of similar intellectual interests beyond the limits of the classroom. It has the interests of the University at heart and directs its efforts toward expansion of Virginia’s influence and prestige. Undergraduates, graduate students, and members of the faculty and alumni are eligible for membership; they are selected on the basis of excellence in their field and contributions to the University. The Society meets regularly during the year to conduct business meetings, hear speakers, and hold elections for new members. Its activities culminate each year in a formal Spring banquet at which officers are elected, new members are initiated, and highly-coveted Raven awards are presented to people outstanding in their manifold contributions to the University. Each year four students from the medical school are elected.