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Awards and Distinctions

We honor the dedication and achievements of School of Medicine faculty, students and alumni with recognition programs for teaching, clinical care and research.

Emory ranked among best in U.S. News

Program Distinctions

Degree Programs

Our physical therapy program is ranked fourth and the physician assistant program is ranked eighth in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, and we have the first genetic counseling training program in the state.

Research

Emory is a renowned research institution home to groundbreaking scientific discoveries that have saved lives around the globe. A key tenet is translational research, bringing discovery from bench to bedside. Ranked 12th nationally in NIH dollars received, the school is best known for its research and treatment in infectious disease, brain health, heart disease, cancer, transplantation, orthopaedics, pediatrics, renal disease, ophthalmology, and geriatrics. View the 2025 Researcher Appreciation Day honorees.

Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering

The school shares a Biomedical Engineering Department with Georgia Institute of Technology that's ranked first in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

2026 MD Student Awards

Eldon Langston Bolton, MD Service Award Iris Abrahantes Morales

The award was established in 1990 in honor of Dr. Eldon Bolton c/o '32. He practiced medicine in Biloxi, Mississippi for more than 50 years. The award honors a M4 student who has exhibited outstanding service within and beyond the Emory University community.

Outstanding Achievement in Basic Science Award Tina Tian

The award is given to a graduating medical student who, in the opinion of a committee of faculty, has excelled in the overall study a of the basic sciences throughout their medical school career. This year this award is given to a student who has done outstanding work during both the MD and PhD portions of the curriculum.

Burt and Betty Schear Book Award Brendan Pulsifer

This award provides an opportunity to recognize a special student who has the spark, the common sense, and the insight to make a difference. The prize is a coffee table book of photographs illustrating a holistic view of the Earth. The bookplate reads: “For the student most likely to make a uniquely positive mark on their universe.”

Evangeline T. Papageorge Student Award Olivia Veira

The award was established to honor the late Dr. Evangeline Papageorge, a very beloved Dean of Students in the school for many years. This award is given to the M4 student who is voted by the class as having contributed the most to the betterment of the class over the four years.

Dean's Award MopeninuJesu Oluyinka

This award was established to honor a student within a graduating class who has done an outstanding job of achieving academic excellence and of exhibiting exceptional performance and dedication as a medical student during their course of study for the MD degree.

Excellence in Public Health Award Maureen McNamara

This award, bestowed by the United States Public Health Service, recognizes students who are actively involved in public health initiatives and address public health issues in their communities, often highlighting those working to address health disparities.

House Staff Organization Professionalism Excellence (HOPE) Award

The HOPE Award recognizes Emory residents and fellows who embody the highest standards of professionalism and cross-departmental collaboration. Now in its 15th year, this honor celebrates individuals who contribute to a positive, collegial, patient-centered work environment. Award recipients are nominated by peers in other specialties and fellow residents who have experienced outstanding collaboration in care delivery.

Overall winners

Jeremy Mani (child neurology)

Primary care

Rachel Boxer (emergency medicine)
Marcus Gresham (emergency medicine)
Daniel Mathew (internal medicine)
Myriam Shehata (internal medicine-pediatrics)
Rebecca Haber (pediatrics)
Frances Bennett (general surgery)

Surgery

Megan Cosgrove (neurological surgery)
George Wei (neurological surgery)
Kyle Bundschuh (orthopaedics)
Pranay Manda (urology)

Specialties

Lily Devlin (child neurology)
Ananya Moorthy (child neurology)
Daquan Daly (neurology)
Dana Kapeller-Libermann (child neurology)
Jacob Sloan (child neurology)

Fellows

Aaron Shepherd (pulmonary disease/critical care medicine)
Tori Ehrhardt (medical toxicology)
Alyssa Cruse (pulmonary disease/critical care medicine)
Madeline Russell (vascular neurology)
Zachary West (pediatric cardiology)

Faculty Recognitions Week

Each fall, faculty members are recognized for their accomplishments and eminence in patient care, research, and education. The week is capped off with the Celebration of Faculty Eminence ceremony and reception.

Faculty member receives award during Celebration of Faculty Eminence ceremony

SOM Staff Awards

The School of Medicine is committed to recognizing, appreciating, developing, and celebrating our talented and dedicated staff who play a crucial role in fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement in our school. To showcase exemplary practices and transformative initiatives, staff are recognized with the following awards: 

  • Excellence in Leadership Award
  • Service Champion Award
  • Learner Impact Award
  • Innovation Award
  • Going the Extra Mile (G.E.M) Award
  • Team Excellence Awards (research and non-research) 
Human Simulation Education Center (HSEC) team accepts award.

Emory at Grady Awards

The Emory at Grady Professional Development Committee created the Emory at Grady Awards to honor the community of Grady-based faculty members. 

  • Above and Beyond Award
  • Advocacy Award 
  • Best Colleague Award
  • Career Impact Award
  • Community Impact Award
  • Innovation Award
  • Team-Based Award
Jada Bussey-Jones stand with a Grady Award winner

Departmental Awards Programs