Meaghan Nazereth talked Monday about beginning medical school at Campbell during the COVID-19 pandemic.
About the unique challenges that presented. Rolling with the proverbial punches, which, because of the complications surrounding the pandemic, came from myriad directions.
Nazareth talked about coming together as a class, which graduates Thursday. About the importance of support, and of staying mentally healthy. Of caring for one another.
“At the end of the day, I think all the adversity we went through early on brought us together as a class, and think we became a pretty cohesive group that helped each other out as much as we could,” said Nazereth, Student Government Association president for the 2024 graduating class of the Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine.
“I think the past four years have shown us none of us exists in a vacuum. Human connection is such a big part of our jobs, but it’s also a really big part of our lives.”
On Monday, the medical school bestowed multiple honors during the Class of 2004 Awards Dinner, held in the student union.
Medical school Dean Dr. Brian Kessler opened the ceremony, welcoming students, staff and faculty before handing the reins to Dr. David Tolentino, associate dean for Clinical Affairs, and other speakers and presenters.
Ross Marnock, 2004 class president, reflected on his four years — their four years — in medical school leading toward graduation.
“I got to learn different approaches and strategies, with patients and medicine … they’re some of the most important memories and lessons I have of my medical school career, and that’s why I’m going into family medicine,” Marnock said.
He offered several “shout-outs,” culminating with this: “I just want to really thank each and every one of you and give you all a shout-out. Many of you are going to be serving my community locally, and others will serve my friends and possibly even my family across the country.
“If you have some time this week, maybe take that time to thank one of your classmates who helped you be here today.”
One last quick shoutout, Marnock said.
“Go Camels!”
Awards presented to student doctors and staff and faculty Monday included:
The Distinguished Pre-Clinical Scholar Award
The award is presented to a graduating student for superior performance in the first two years of medical school.
Ying Ku, Meaghan Nunnally
Overall Distinguished Clinical Scholar Award
The award is presented to students who earned high recognition on their rotation evaluation in the respective discipline, have been evaluated by the rotation site as one of the top students, provided consistent and compassionate care to patients, were respectful and empowering to office and hospital staff, organized and participated in additional student activities, such as outreach programs appropriate to this specialty, and exemplified the osteopathic philosophy.
Emergency medicine
Matthew Lucito
Family medicine
Lindsey Clemson
Geriatrics
Madelaine Duarte.
Internal medicine
Elizabeth Gresham Sears
Obstetrics and gynecology
Sinclair Strange.
Pediatrics
Charles Pate
Psychiatry
Jeffrey Johnson.
Surgery
Ashley Moats.
Distinguished Student of the Region Award
Students receiving this award were evaluated by the rotation site as one of the top students, provided consistent compassionate care to patients, were respectful and empowering to office and hospital staff, organized and participated in additional student activities, such as outreach programs, and exemplified the osteopathic philosophy.
Lumberton
Thomas Sandoval
Fayetteville
Eric Yu
Raleigh
Robyn Naron
Harnett
Dillon Pham
Salisbury
Marissa Nolan
Goldsboro
Diana Ivancev
Morehead City
Matthew Maffey
Smithfield
Jeffrey Johnson
Conway
Lindsey Clemson
Sanford
Amaad Choudry
The Global Health Award, presented to a student who demonstrated knowledge of the principles of global health who was involved in improving the lives of others through public health and international service, and an individual who is dedicated to moving the field of global health education forward.
Calvin Hamerski
The Dr. Jerry M. Wallace Award, presented to a student who demonstrated knowledge of the principles of rural and underserved health and who was involved in improving the lives of others through public health and domestic activities. A student who also is dedicated to improving local community health and education.
Brady Pickett
The Student Research Award, presented to a student who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to research during their medical training, as well as evidence of scholarly contribution through presentation or publication.
Ying Ku
The Student Researcher of the Year Award, presented annually by the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents, a council of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, to student researchers who demonstrated excellence in their commitment to research during their medical school years. Each School or College of Osteopathic Medicine selects a school researcher, and these school winners go on to compete for the National SROY Award.
Kian Bagheri
The Dr. William F. Morris Award, presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding capacity to promote and integrate Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine in both the classroom and clinical setting and who showed the greatest promise of future success.
Cailee Dean
Student Doctor of the Year Award, presented annually by the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents, a council of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, to outstanding students who demonstrated excellence in service to their medical school, leadership and research experiences and dedication to the osteopathic profession. Each School or College of Osteopathic Medicine selects a school student doctor of the year, and these school winners go on to compete for the national award.
Maren Downing
The Dean’s Award, presented to a graduating student who displayed exceptional character in personal and professional conduct, maintained superior performance in the classroom and clinic, embodied the mission of the school, was a servant leader to their classmates and showed unusual promise for future contributions to the profession of osteopathic medicine.
Robyn Naron
The Preceptor of the Year Award, presented annually to an individual who consistently provided outstanding clinical instruction to medical school third- and fourth-year students. This award recognizes a preceptor who displayed a passion for teaching, a commitment to service and a dedication to the highest ethical standards.
Regional recipients:
Lumberton
Dr. Thersia Knapik
Fayetteville
Dr. Eric Mansfield
Raleigh
Dr. Matthew Zerden
Harnett
Dr. Lori Langdon
Salisbury
Dr. Aerik Williams
Goldsboro
Dr. Dimitrios Lintzeris
Morehead City
Dr. Ryan Taylor
Smithfield
Dr. Andrew Lloyd
Conway
Dr. Paul Sasser
Sanford:
Dr. Arinze Ikeme
The Biomedical Faculty Award is a student-elected award recognizing a biomedical faculty member who went above and beyond their responsibilities to ensure the success of students during the first two academic years of medical school. This award recognizes a biomedical faculty member who displayed a passion for teaching, a commitment to service and a dedication to the highest ethical standards.
Dr. Oleg Alekseev, Professor of Physiology
The Clinical Faculty Award, a student-elected award recognizing a med school clinical faculty member who went above and beyond their responsibilities to ensure the success of students. This award recognizes a clinical faculty member who displayed a passion for teaching, a commitment to service and a dedication to the highest ethical standards.
Dr. Elizabeth Gignac, chair of Simulation and Clinical Education and chair and assistant professor of Emergency Medicine
The Outstanding Staff Award is a student-elected award recognizing a staff member who went above and beyond their responsibilities to ensure the success of students. The award recognizes a med school staff member who displayed a commitment to service and a dedication to the highest ethical standards.
Dusty Barbour, education specialist for Simulation Medicine
Special recognition
Sigma Sigma Phi is a National Honorary Osteopathic Fraternity. The chapter at Campbell’s medical school, Chi Upsilon, focuses on academic excellence and community service. Members of Sigma Sigma Phi must maintain a GPA at or above 3.5 as well as receiving high pass or honors designations for all clinical rotations. Students must also complete 20 hours of community service their first and second years of medical school, and 10 hours each academic year of their third and fourth years. These graduates will wear the Sigma Sigma Phi honor cord at our graduation ceremony Thursday:
Safia Ansari
Kara Brads
Lindsey Clemson
Abigail Daniels Grubb
Melanie Domann
Parth Doshi
Maren Downing
Camille Drouin-Allaire
Chardai Francis
Calvin Hamerski
Jessie Hatcher
Arielle Khosrowpour
Ying Ku
Keri Lanier
Matthew Lucito
Ross Marnock
Megan Massie LeFevre
Robyn Naron
Meaghan Nunnally
Brady Pickett
Urja Shah
Vandan Thakkar
Other groups recognized:
Community Care Clinic board members
U.S. Military Health Professions Scholarship Program graduates
Students who have gone on a medical mission trip
Student organization presidents and leadership
Class officers and SGA officers
Research summer scholars
Fun Facts for the Class of 2024, based on survey responses:
Nineteen student doctors met their significant other while attending medical school.
Eight met their significant others at the med school.
Seventeen were engaged during med school.
Fourteen were married during med school.
Seven had a baby — or babies — during med school.