The 169 students of the School of Medicine Class of 2021, including 11 MD/PhD students and the Medical School’s first MD/MBA student, were recognized by institutional and alumni leaders for their resilience and commitment as they completed their studies during the worst global pandemic in a century. Their achievements were lauded June 4 at the annual UMass Medical School Alumni Association breakfast, held in the Albert Sherman Center.
Kristen M. Ettensohn Memorial Award recipient Maria Navarro flanked by Terence R. Flotte, MD, and Michele P. Pugnaire, MD
“You faced a deadly virus in a time of great uncertainty and were on the front lines of the worst pandemic in over a century,” said Terence R. Flotte, MD, the Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor, executive deputy chancellor, provost and dean of the School of Medicine in his address to the class.
“In fact, you are all veterans of a once-in-a-generation experience, unmatched in my own experience as a caregiver,” he continued. “I believe that in years to come, the classes of 2020 and 2021 will be famous and will be appreciated and respected as veterans of this struggle in a way that our generation cannot match.”
Dean Flotte concluded by praising as “an inspiration” the graduating class’s courage, caring, enthusiasm, ingenuity and resilience. “I will say to each and every one of you in the class of 2021 that you are all my heroes.”
The Chancellor’s Award, the highest recognition given to a graduating student, was presented to Nicholas Leonard by Chancellor Michael F. Collins.
Chancellor Collins highlighted not only Leonard’s academic achievement, but also his commitment to serving the most vulnerable. Collins said, “As an active, engaged and committed member of the student body, you have contributed to the UMass Medical School learning environment by participating on and leading multiple student interest groups, tutoring students studying for board examinations, and mentoring underclassmen while serving as a clinic coordinator for the Worcester Free Clinic program and team leader for the Flu Clinics held in partnership with Worcester Public Schools.
“Your ardent advocacy for vulnerable populations is best highlighted through your volunteerism efforts focused on individuals struggling with mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic, and your impressive work to push for drug price transparency at the state and national levels.”
The following awards and recognitions were also presented:
