Overview
Alumni Awards
Each year, the Alumni Board of Directors honors its own with special award presentations to acknowledge their achievements. All award recipients will be recognized at our Fall Board Reception and receive a plaque in their honor. The award categories include Distinguished Alumnus Award, Special Achievement Award and Service Award.
The Process for Selection
The Nominating Committee, chaired by the Immediate Past President of the Board of Directors will decide on the awards in a given year; if qualified individuals are nominated. Current members of the Board of Directors of Cleveland Clinic Foundation Alumni Association and past award recipients are not eligible.
Awards are announced and presented at the fall Alumni Board of Directors meeting usually in September/October.
Who Can Nominate
Nominations will be accepted from alumni, residents/fellows, Cleveland Clinic professional and allied health staff and nursing.
How to Nominate
If you would like to nominate an individual for any of the awards, please click here to fill out our Alumni Award Nomination Form. Be prepared to provide a brief biographical sketch of the candidate including their professional experience, educational training, contact information, a brief explanation of why you are nominating this person, and a photo if available. Nominees can also be recognized posthumously.
Distinguished Alumnus
Cleveland Clinic's Distinguished Alumnus Award, established in 1977, is to recognize alumni for exceptional enduring achievements and leadership which have brought pride and recognition to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation community. Nominees should have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their professions balanced with dedicated contributions of time, energy and resources to the community.
Nominees must be graduates from a recognized training program at a Cleveland Clinic facility with a minimum of one (1) year of formal training and have distinguished her/himself in the following areas: Clinical Practice, Education, Research, Community Leadership and/or Service.
Distinguished Alumnus Award, The Nominating Committee -- Chaired by the Immediate Past-President will convene annually to review the list of eligible individuals. No more than two nominees will be submitted to the Alumni Board for a vote and the winner will be determined by a majority vote of the Board.
Current members of the Board of Directors of Cleveland Clinic Alumni Association and past award recipients are not eligible.
Distinguished Alumnus Award Winners
| Year | Recipient | Training |
| 2021 |
George Tesar, MD |
IM'80 |
| 2020 | Satoru Nakamoto, MD* |
CARD'57 |
| 2019 | Thomas J. Masaryk, MD | NR’89 |
| 2018 | Conrad Simpfendorfer, Sr., MD | CARD'78 |
| 2017 | Gene H. Barnett, MD, MBA | GS’81, NS’86 |
| 2016 | John J. Eversman, MD | IM'64, END'65 |
| 2015 | Earl K. Shirey, MD | IM'56 |
| 2014 | Michael T. Modic, MD | DR'78, NR'79 |
| 2013 | Leonard H. Calabrese, DO | IM'78 RH'80 |
| 2012 | Floyd D. Loop, MD | TS’70 |
| 2011 | Bruce W. Lytle, MD | CCF’78 |
| 2010 | Kenneth E. DeHaven, MD | GL-1’66, S’67, ORS,’72 |
| 2009 | Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr, MD | GL-1'62, S'66 |
| 2008 | William C. Sheldon, MD | CVM’62 |
| 2007 | Tirone E. David, MD | S’75 |
| 2006 | Carlos M. Ferrario, MD | RES’69 |
| 2005 | Victor W. Fazio, MD | S’73, CRS’74 |
| 2004 | Albert V.G. Bruschke, MD | CARD’72 |
| 2003 | Norman R. Hertzer, MD | GL-1’68, S’72, VS’75 |
| 2002 | George C. Hoffman, MD | CLPTH’59 |
| 2001 | Wilma F. Bergfeld, MD | Gl-1'65, DERM’68 |
| 2001 | John A. Bergfeld, MD | Gl-1'65, S’67, ORS'70 |
| 2000 | *** presentation delayed to 2001*** | |
| 1999 | Jess R. Young, MD | IM’59 |
| 1998 | John D. Clough, MD | GL-1'66, IM’67, IM’71 |
| 1997 | Phillip M. Hall, MD | Gl-1'66, IM’68, H/N’69, RES’70 |
| 1996 | Edwin G. Beven, MD | S’62, VS’63 |
| 1995 | Thomas F. Meaney, MD | DR'57 |
| 1994 | Donald F. Dohn, MD | NS'58 |
| 1992 | Harriet P. Dustan, MD | RES'49 |
| 1987 | William L. Proudfit, MD | IM'43 |
| 1985 | George Crile Jr., MD | S'37 |
| 1982 | Elmer S.A. King, MD | S'33 |
| 1977 | E. Perry McCullagh, MD | S'27 |
Is there someone you would like to nominate for this award?
Special Achievement
Cleveland Clinic's Special Achievement Award, established in 1985, is to recognize physicians or scientists for exceptional enduring achievements and leadership which have brought pride and recognition to Cleveland Clinic's community.
Nominees should have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their professions or otherwise demonstrated exceptional achievement consistent with Cleveland Clinic's mission to provide better care of the sick, further investigation of their problems, and more education of those who serve.
Nominees must be duly qualified physicians or scientists, but need not be graduates of a Cleveland Clinic training program, who have made remarkable accomplishments or special achievements in at least one of the following areas:
- Clinical Practice
- Education
- Research
- Community Leadership and/or Service
Nominees will be accepted from alumni, residents/fellows, Cleveland Clinic professional and allied health staff and nursing.
Special Achievement Award, The Nominating Committee -- Chaired by the Immediate Past-President will convene annually to review the list of eligible individuals. Current members of the Board of Directors of Cleveland Clinic Alumni Association and past award recipients are not eligible. The Committee may choose not to make an award in a given year if qualified individual(s) are not nominated.
The recipient of the Cleveland Clinic Special Achievement Award will receive a plaque in their honor.
Special Achievement Award Winners
| Year | Recipient(s) | Training |
| 2021 | Mindy Estes, MD |
NPTH'84 |
| 2020 | David Taylor, MD* | Staff’01 |
| 2020 | Tony Thomas, MD* | Staff’82 |
| 2019 | Joseph Hahn, MD, MBA | Staff’76 |
| 2018 | Toby Cosgrove, MD | Staff’75 |
| 2017 | Kathleen N. Franco, MD | Staff’92 |
| 2016 | Atul C. Mehta, MD | PULMCC'83 |
| 2016 | Gregory P. Borkowski, MD | IM'74, DR'79 |
| 2015 | Juan Carlos Parodi, MD | VS'76 |
| 2014 | William S. Kiser, MD | Staff'64 |
| 2013 | James B. Young, MD | Staff'95 |
| 2006 | William E. Braun, MD | Staff'68 |
| 2002 | Donald G. Vidt, MD | H/N'98 |
| 1999 | Ralph A. Straffon, MD | Staff'59 |
| 1999 | Floyd D. Loop, MD | TS’72 |
| 1997 | Robert E. Hermann, MD | S'94 |
| 1994 | Ray W. Gifford, Jr, MD | H/N'93 |
| 1992 | Bernadine P. Healy, MD | Staff'85 |
| 1987 | Rene G. Favaloro, MD | TS'65 |
| 1985 | F. Mason Sones, Jr, MD |
Is there someone you would like to nominate for this award?
Service
Cleveland Clinic's Service Award, established in 1999 in honor of the Dedication of the Alumni Library, is to recognize alumni who have generously dedicated themselves to the growth and advancement of Cleveland Clinic and/or Alumni Association.
Nominees must have demonstrated exceptional commitment and service to Cleveland Clinic for a number of years. Participation in the Alumni Association will be considered but is not required.
Nominees should have completed at least one satisfactory year of a recognized post-graduate medical education program under the auspices of the Graduate Medical Education Department of Cleveland Clinic or be a current or former member of the Professional Staff for a minimum of five years.
Nominations will be accepted from alumni, residents/fellows, faculty and professional staff.
Service Award, The Nominating Committee - Chaired by the Immediate Past-President will convene annually to review the list of eligible individuals. Current members of the Board of Directors of Cleveland Clinic Alumni Association and past award recipients are not eligible. The Committee may choose not to make an award in a given year if qualified individual(s) are not nominated.
The recipient of the Cleveland Clinic Service Award will receive a plaque in their honor.
Service Award Winners
| Year | Recipient | Training |
| 2021 |
Susan Rehm, MD |
IM'81, ID'83 |
| 2021 |
Richard Drake, PhD |
Staff'03 |
| 2019 | Pauline Kwok, MD | TRS’95, DR’00, ABI’01 |
| 2018 | Philip Bailin, MD, MBA | D'74 |
| 2017 | James W. Lewis, MD | IM’70, H/N’71, RES’74 |
| 2017 | Lee M. Adler, DO | IM'75 |
| 2016 | Robert E. Hobbs, MD | CARD'79 |
| 2015 | Lilian Gonsalves-Ebrahim, MD | P'81 |
| 2015 | Zeyd Y. Ebrahim, MD | AN'81 |
| 2014 | Edwin G. Beven, MD | S'62, VS'63 |
| 2014 | Robert E. Hermann, MD | CCF'62 |
| 2013 | Mehdi Razavi, MD | CARD'67 |
| 2006 | Daniel J. Wilson, MD | IM’76, RES’79, H/N’79 |
| 2004 | Sandra S. Stranscak | Executive Director, Alumni Relations |
| 1999 | William M. Michener, MD | CCF'61 |
| 1999 | Isabella K. Sharpe, MD | GL-1'74, IM’76, PULM/D’78 |
| 1999 | Albert V.G. Bruschke, MD | CARD’72 |
Is there someone you would like to nominate for this award?
Early Career
The CCF Alumni Association Early Career Alumnus Award, established in 2022, recognizes alumni for exceptional enduring achievements and leadership which have brought pride and recognition to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation community. Nominees should have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their professions balanced with dedicated contributions of time, energy and resources to the community.
Nominees must be an alum within 10 years of completing a recognized training program and have distinguished her/himself in the following areas: Clinical Practice, Education, Research, Community Leadership and/or Service. Nominations will be accepted by alumni, residents / fellow, faculty and professional staff.
The Nominations and Awards Committee – appointed by the President of the Alumni Association – may choose not to make awards in a given year if qualified individuals are not nominated or otherwise make considerations as appropriate.
Past recipients of this award are not eligible. Nominees can also be recognized posthumously.
The recipient of the Cleveland Clinic Early Career Alumnus Award will receive a plaque in their honor.
Graduate Level-One (GL-1)
Established in 1987, the Graduate Level-One Award is to recognize an outstanding first-year resident, identified by her/his peers, for personal and professional qualities beyond the ordinary.
This award introduces first year residents to Cleveland Clinic Alumni Association and demonstrates the commitment alumni feel toward future generations of Clinic-trained physicians and scientists worldwide.
Eligibility
Individuals eligible for this award must be clinical residents in their first year of training (PGY1). The recipients of this award are selected from nominations based on the following criteria
- Clinical Excellence/Knowledge
- Interpersonal Communication Skills
- Character
- Unique Accomplishments
The recipient of the Cleveland Clinic Graduate Level-One Award will receive a plaque in their honor.
-
In addition, the recipient:
- Will be awarded a $1000 cash award for proposed project
- Will receive a personalized certificate award (matted and formatted)
- Will be recognized at the Spring Alumni Association Board of Directors Reception
Graduate Level-One Award Winners
| Year | Recipient | Training |
| 2021 |
Jamesha Ford, DO |
FM |
| 2020 | Kavya Kommaraju, MD | IM |
| 2019 | Charlie Lin, MD | IM |
| 2018 | Benjamin Whiting, MD | NS |
| 2017 | Robert Naples, DO | S |
| 2016 | Ian Puffenberger, MD | ACLPTH'19 |
| 2015 | Dipika Menon, MD | PD'17 |
| 2014 | Jessica N. Barry MD | PD'16, PDGE'19 |
| 2013 | Rayji Sean Tsutsui, MD | IM'15, CARD'18, CARDIN'20 |
| 2012 | Daniel Joyce, MD | S'18' |
| 2011 | Keith R. Bachmann, MD | ORS'15 |
| 2010 | Kiranpreet Kaur Khurana, MD | S'10, U'14 |
| 2009 | Michael L. Kelly, MD | NS'14 |
| 2008 | Ibrahim Hanouneh, MD | IM'10, GE'13 |
| 2007 | Kevin M. El-Hayek, MD | S'11 |
| 2006 | Juan P. Cata, MD | AN'10 |
| 2005 | Arti Jayant Choure, MD | RES'04, IM’07, CARD'10 |
| 2004 | Darren A. Guy, DO | PD’06 |
| 2004 | Inder Singh, MD, MS | IM’06 |
| 2003 | Francisco J. Marrero, MD | IM’05, GE'09 |
| 2003 | Matthew D. Kroh, MD | S’07 |
| 2002 | Todd F. Ritzman, MD | ORS’06 |
| 2001 | Harmohinder S. Athwal, MD | IM/PR’00, P’01 |
| 2000 | Rita Shi-Ming Lee, MD | IMPC’0 |
| 1999 | Jennifer Ann Wojtowicz, DO | IM’01 |
| 1998 | Christine M. (Noga) Booth, MD | ACLPTH’02 |
| 1997 | Lynette P. Davenport, MD | IM’99 |
| 1996 | Victoria L. Fribley-Carrington, MD | P’99 |
| 1995 | Russell P. Saneto, D.O. , PhD | PD’97, CHN’00 |
| 1994 | Christi Ferraro Matteoni, MD | IM’96, GE’99 |
| 1993 | Viktor E. Krebs, MD | ORS’97 |
| 1992 | Lori Kmiec Posk, MD | IM'94 |
| 1991 | Richard W. Grady, MD | U’96 |
| 1990 | Ghassan Safadi, MD | PD’93, A’96 |
| 1989 | Robert E. Foster, MD | TRS'89, OPH'92 |
| 1988 | Donald P. Brady, MD | N'91 |
| 1987 | Carlos M. Isada, MD | IM'90, ID'92, CAID'93 |
Is there someone you would like to nominate for this award?
Michener Grant
The Dr. William & Roxanna Michener Grant in Leadership Development and Medical Humanities and Arts was established in 2006, this award is given to an individual whose peers and teachers identify, in him or her, those attributes that embody true leadership qualities.
The awardee has demonstrated a commitment to learning, superior communication abilities and a mastery of medical skills. The awardee also embodied the courage, integrity and compassion that represent the highest ideals of clinical medicine.
Criteria
- Graduate Level 2 (PGY-2) or above and with a minimum of one additional training year in a medical or surgical residency or fellowship program at the Cleveland Clinic.
- The medical or surgical trainee must also have significant personal contact with patients.
- Applicants/nominees must submit a statement of intention for utilizing the cash award and how they intend to execute their vision for furthering their leadership and/or humanitarian activities. (Examples…taking an elective leadership course, community volunteerism, global relief, etc).
- Awardee must be willing to share the results of their award expenditure with the alumni and staff body at large and/or in targeted press-releases to promote the fund, their work and the institution.
- Prior Dr. William and Roxanna Michener award recipients who enter an additional training program are not eligible for an additional award.
The recipient of the Cleveland Clinic Michener Grant Award will receive a plaque in their honor.
In addition, the recipient:
- Will be awarded a $3,000 grant award for proposed project
- Will be highlighted in an upcoming issue of Cleveland Clinic Alumni Connection magazine
- Will be recognized at the Spring Alumni Association Board of Directors Reception
Michener Award Winners
| Year | Recipient | Training |
| 2021 |
Robbie Zimbroff, MD |
IM |
| 2020 | Amit Goyal, MD | CARD |
| 2019 | Charlotte Horne, MD | S |
| 2018 | Chelsea Garcia, MD | IM'19 |
| 2017 | Vishal Vashistha, MD | IM'17 |
| 2016 | Voranaddha Vacharathit, MD | S |
| 2015 | Vikram D. Krishnamurthy, MD | ES'16 |
| 2013/2014 | Vipan Nikore, MD, MBA | IM'13 |
| 2012 | Raghav Govindarajan, MD | N'13 |
| 2012 | James Lui, MD | NS'13 |
| 2011 | Kevin M. El-Hayek, MD | S'11 |
| 2010 | Molly Michelle Wimbiscus, MD | P'09, CHP'11 |
| 2009 | Joyce K. Lee, MD | N’09, SLPM |
| 2008 | Mia Zaharna, MD | P’09 |
| 2007 | Joseph M. Austerman, DO | P’05, CHP’07, P’08 |
| 2006 | Alyssa A. Riley, MD | PD’07 |
Is there someone you would like to nominate for this award?
