The annual awards ceremony for the School of Health Professions was held Dec. 3 in Cullen Auditorium.
Teaching Excellence Awards
The 2022 Health Professions Excellence in Teaching Award recipients were as follows:
- Jeremy Sherman, MS, CPO, LPO, assistant professor, School of Health Professions — Chosen by the Orthotics and Prosthetics Class of 2023
- Alex Hedquist, CPO, Bulow Orthotic & Prosthetic Solutions, South Carolina — Chosen by the Orthotics and Prosthetics Class of 2022
- Robert Latham, CPO, Bulow Orthotic & Prosthetic Solutions, South Carolina — Chosen by the Orthotics and Prosthetics Class of 2022
- Dr. Jessica Gaines, DNP, CRNA, assistant professor, Department of Anesthesiology and School of Health Professions — Chosen by the Doctor of Nursing Practice Class of 2023
- Dr. Jennifer Rios, DNP, CRNA, instructor, Department of Anesthesiology — Chosen by the Doctor of Nursing Practice Class of 2022
- Dr. Laurence Tippin, DNP, CRNA, University Hospital, San Antonio — Chosen by the Doctor of Nursing Practice Class of 2022
- Dr. Clint Montya, DNP-A, CRNA, Texas Health Huguley Hospital, Fort Worth — Chosen by the Doctor of Nursing Practice Class of 2022
- Elissa Love, M.S., PA-C, assistant professor, School of Health Professions — Chosen by the Physician Assistant Class of 2023
- Steven Mulik, MCMSc, PA-C, CAQ-PSY, instructor, School of Health Professions —Chosen by the Physician Assistant Class of 2022
Alumni Association Lehmann Outstanding Student Award
The Office of Alumni Affairs presented this award to the health profession students who demonstrated outstanding leadership in professional and community activities.
- Mikaela Young, Physician Assistant Program
- Sarah Jazzar, Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
- Michelle Cole, Orthotics and Prosthetics Program
Physician Assistant Joan Wilson Appel Award for Excellence in Clinical Research
- Emily Equitz, Physician Assistant Program
J. David Holcomb Health Professions Student Research Day
On Nov. 30, the School of Health Professions held its annual student research day poster competition.
Physician Assistant
- First place: Laura Hall will receive a check for $500 for her research, “Determination of Optimal Management of the Adult Patient with Hyponatremia: A Systematic Study.” Hall’s primary mentor was Antone Opekun, associate professor of medicine-gastroenterology and in the School of Health Professions. Dr. William Mitch, professor of medicine-nephrology, was her secondary mentor.
- Second place: Katerina Tsai will receive a check for $250 for her research, “Outcomes of Clinical Skills Assessment After Implementing Online Learning During COVID 19 Pandemic.” Tsai’s primary mentor was Stephanie DeSandro, assistant professor in the School of Health Professions. Carl E. Fasser, professor in the School of Health Professions, was her secondary mentor.
- Third place: Meagan Oglesby will receive a check for $100 for her research, “A Prospective Study of Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children with Heart Failure.” Oglesby’s primary mentor was Dr. Kirti Puri, assistant professor of pediatrics-critical care. Katherine Erdman, assistant professor in the School of Health Professions and Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, was her secondary mentor.
Orthotics and Prosthetics
- First place: Keyaira Crudup will receive $500 award for her research, “Barriers to Orthotic and Prosthetic Care and Their Association with Patient and Provider Demographics.” Crudup’s primary mentor was Amandi Rhett, assistant professor in the School of Health Professions.
- Second place: Michelle Cole will receive a $250 award for her research, “Comprehensive Catalog for Upper Limb Terminal Devices.” Cole’s primary mentor was Jeremy Sherman, assistant professor in the School of Health Professions.
- Third place: Priscila Aguilar will receive a $100 award for her research, “Provider-Patient Disparity in High-risk Demographics in Texas OP Care.” Aguilar’s primary mentor was Amandi Rhett, assistant professor in the School of Health Professions.
Physician Assistant Program Awards
Carl E. Fasser Physician Assistant Visionary Leadership Award
- Elissa Love, MS, PA-C
- Isabel Valdez, MPAS, PA-C
Lewis A. Leavitt Award for the physician assistant student with the highest academic record of achievement
- Mikaela Young
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Awards
Helen Lamb Award for the nurse anesthesia student who achieved the highest scholastic ranking during the didactic phase of the curriculum
- William McWhirter
Alice Magaw Award for the nurse anesthesia student who achieved the highest scholastic ranking during the clinical phase of the curriculum
- Abigail Colquitt
Inaugural James R. Walker Clinical Education Excellence Award
- Abigail Caswell, CRNA, DNP
Orthotics & Prosthetics Program Awards
Academic Excellence Awards for completing the Orthotics and Prosthetics Program with the highest scholastic ranking in the graduating class
- Jordan Remont
- Karrigan Smith
- Jocelyn Strom
OP Program RIITE Award
- Nathan Shimabukuro
School of Health Professions Awards
The annual commencement for the School of Health Professions was held Dec. 3 at Stude Concert Hall at Rice University.
Henry D. McIntosh Award for the student who achieved the highest degree of academic excellence and service and who best exemplified the concept of the physician assistant
- Sabrina Agbabian
Agatha Hodgins Memorial Award as the outstanding graduate who, based on academic achievement and clinical performance, demonstrated the dedication and enthusiasm that best symbolize the qualities desired in a nurse anesthetist
- Hannah Bitter
Clinical Achievement Award for outstanding clinical achievement in the Orthotics and Prosthetics Program
- Elizabeth Bebow
BCM Family 