The University of Florida Health Science Center – Jacksonville celebrated the graduation of 119 medical, dental and pharmacy residents and fellows at its annual graduation ceremony on June 17, 2009 in the Learning Resource Center Auditorium.
Relatives, friends, faculty members and staff were on hand to applaud the residents as they accepted their certificates, marking the end of their residency. Graduation is not only a public recognition of their educational accomplishments, but also an opportunity to say good-bye and wish them well on their future journeys.
Robert C. Nuss, M.D., professor, associate vice president for health affairs and dean of the regional campus, Jacksonville opened the graduation ceremony. Also participating were Constance K. Haan, M.D., M.S., senior associate dean for educational affairs and Frank J. Genuardi, M.D., M.P.H., associate dean for student affairs.
As part of the ceremony, the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville presented five prestigious awards to residents, fellows and faculty members.
Excellence in Student Education Award
UF students rotating on the Jacksonville campus determine the recipients of the annual Excellence in Student Education award by voting on which resident/fellow and faculty member is the most outstanding educator. The resident winner receives a plaque and $500, and the faculty winner receives a plaque and a professional expense account for $500.
Resident – Susanna Meredith, M.D., Obstetrics and Gynecology
Faculty – Miren Schinco, M.D., Surgery
Edward Jelks Outstanding Resident Clinician Award
The Edward Jelks Outstanding Resident Clinician award winner is based on which resident/fellow is considered to have contributed the most, through dedication, diligence and compassion, or through innovation in patient care, to the improvement of patient care at Shands Jacksonville. The winner receives a plaque and $500.
Rosilie Saffos Outstanding Resident Teacher Award
The Rosilie Saffos Outstanding Resident Teacher award is given based on outstanding resident/fellow teaching on the Jacksonville campus. The recipient is given a plaque and $1,000.
Ann Harwood-Nuss Award
The Ann Harwood-Nuss Award is presented annually to the resident who has contributed the most to improving the educational and working environment of his fellow residents. The award consists of a check for $500 and a plaque.
Louis Russo Award for Outstanding Professionalism in Medicine Award
The Louis Russo Award for Outstanding Professionalism in Medicine is an award given to faculty and residents. Only individuals with the highest standards of medical professionalism, substantiated by a commitment to personal behavior that reflects the core values of the consummate physician, including altruism, excellence, ethics and respect for others are considered. The resident award consists of a plaque and $1,000. The faculty award includes a plaque and a professional expense account for $3,000.
Faculty – Linda Edwards, M.D., Internal Medicine
The names of all award winners are also engraved on plaques located in the Learning Resource Center Building.