UF College of Medicine holds commencement ceremonies; outstanding graduates honored

The University of Florida College of Medicine conferred 120 students with medical degrees during commencement ceremonies May 26 at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for Performing Arts.

Honors for overall contribution, special achievement, research and academics were announced during the ceremony.

Graduate Shireen Madani was honored with both the Thorkild W. Andersen Award, bestowed to the student with the greatest overall contribution to the college and peers, and the John Gorrie Award, given to the student showing the best all-around promise for becoming a physician of the highest level.

This marked the first time a graduate has received both the Andersen and Gorrie awards. The recipient is selected by the college’s executive committee. Madani, who served as class chair for all four years, was also recognized by her classmates for her leadership.

Jonathan Bui and Timothy Lucas Jr. shared the Faculty Award for Research. The distinction of graduation with honors in research was given to: Kfir Ben-David, Amy Bui, Jonathan Bui, Donna Hill, Kimberly Keene, Timothy Lucas, Michael Menninger, Troy Moon, Samuel Muraskin, Tom Noel, Vipul Thakkar, Cheerag Upadhyaya, Sonya Walker, Jon Ward and Cristina Zeien.

Fifteen students received academic honors for being in the top 10 percent of the class: Rahul Aggarwal, Kevin Barber, Kathleen Cook, David Gill, Jessica Graham, Megan Hodge, Miranda Hoy, David Husted, Timothy Lucas, Vikki McKinnie, Rolando Molina, Matthew O'Malley, Jason Shofnos, Lenka Soltes and Jon Ward.

Saria Carter, Chris Goll, Gerald Gracia and Michael McKee graduated with honors for special achievement for efforts that have gone above and beyond expectations in a special endeavor, such as contributions to a specific area of medicine or community service.