The Student Awards Luncheon is held each year to recognize medical students for high achievement in academics, humanity and research. Some peer-elected, others faculty-chosen, all recipients are identified as exemplary in their respective area of accolade.
Winners are generally notified by the dean or by the faculty member who is presenting the award. The event, by invitation only, is attended by Dean Perlmutter, award presenters and recipients, and other invited staff and faculty.
Student awards include:
The American Academy of Neurology Medical Student Prize for Excellence in Neurology is Awarded for excellence in clinical neurology, outstanding scientific achievement and clinical acumen in neurology or neuroscience, and personal integrity, compassion and leadership.
The American College of Physicians Clerkship Award was established in 1992 and recognizes a student completing the third year of study with meritorious achievement in the Internal Medicine Clinical Clerkship.
The American College of Physicians Michael M. Karl, MD Book Award is awarded annually to a member of the graduating class committed to a career in internal medicine, in recognition of highest achievement in the field of internal medicine.
The Alexander Berg Prize is awarded annually to a graduating student having a high, general standing and who presents the best results in research in bacteriology.
The Brasington Memorial Prize is awarded to a medical school student who has demonstrated excellent preclinical and clinical academic performance in psychiatry and who has the potential to make significant contributions to the field.
The Jacques J. Bronfenbrenner Award is awarded annually to a member of the graduating class who has done the most outstanding work in infectious diseases or related fields.
The Dr. Richard S. Brookings Medical School Award is provided through a bequest of Mr. Robert Brookings in honor of his father, Dr. Richard Brookings, to recognize outstanding student performance in the medical school curriculum.
The Dr. Richard S. Brookings Medical School Prize is awarded annually to a graduating student in recognition of meritorious research in medical school.
The Dr. Harvey Butcher Prize in Surgery is awarded annually to a member of the graduating class who, as judged by the Department of Surgery, shows the greatest promise for general surgery.
The Robert Carter Medical School Award is provided through a bequest of Mr. Robert Brookings in honor of his maternal grandfather Robert Carter, an industrialist and farmer, to recognize outstanding student performance in the medical school curriculum.
The Robert Carter Medical School Prize is awarded annually to a graduating student in recognition of meritorious research in medical school.
The F. Sessions Cole Award is awarded annually to a senior medical student entering the field of pediatrics who best embodies the mission of F. Sessions Cole, MD.
The Antoinette Frances Dames Award in Cell Biology and Physiology is awarded annually to members of the graduating class who has demonstrated superior scholarship in the fields of Cell Biology and Physiology.
The Elisabeth L. Demonchaux Prize in Pediatrics is awarded annually to a graduating student who has done outstanding work in pediatrics.
The Steven Dresler Prize is awarded to a student who has demonstrated a commitment to promoting social good, civil rights and civil liberties through social action and volunteerism.
The Dr. William Ellis Award is awarded to a senior student in recognition of meritorious research in ophthalmology.
The George F. Gill Prize in Pediatrics is awarded to a member of the graduating class, of high general standing, who shall have done especially good work in the Dept of Pediatrics.
The Alfred Goldman Book Prize in Diseases of the Chest is awarded annually to a student for outstanding clinical work or research in diseases of the chest or pulmonary physiology.
The Herrmann Prize was created by Dr. Paul Herrmann (MD ’61) and his wife, Susan, to recognize a student who is considered a thoughtful and sensitive communicator in the clinical arena and whose listening and communication skills every patient hopes their physician will possess.
The Dr. Louis and Dorothy Kovitz Senior Prize in Surgery is a senior award in surgery recognizing a member of the graduating class who has shown the most outstanding ability, zeal and interest in surgical problems.
The I. Wallace Leibner Award is “Awarded to a graduating medical student who has not only demonstrated excellence in diagnosis and therapeutics, but also an understanding of human nature and needs, and an active nurturing of both patient and family.
The Irwin Levy Prize in Neurology and Neurological Surgery was established in 1980 by friends of Dr. Levy as a tribute to his commitment to clinical teaching. This prize is awarded to the student who presents the best performance in neurology and neurological surgery.
The Edward Massie Prize for Excellence in Cardiology is awarded annually to the member of the graduating class who has done the most outstanding clinical or basic research work in the field of cardiovascular disease.
The Max and Evelyn Grand Prize is awarded annually to a member of the graduating class for excellence in ophthalmology research or clinical work.
The Howard A. McCordock Prize in Pathology is awarded after the second year to a member of that class for general excellence in pathology.
The Medical Fund Society Prize in Medicine is awarded annually to a graduating student who has excelled in the study of Internal Medicine.
The Medical Fund Society Prize in Surgery is awarded annually to a graduating student who has excelled in the study of Surgery.
The Doctor Helen E. Nash Academic Achievement Award is given annually to a student who has exhibited an unusual degree of the qualities of industry, perseverance, determination and enthusiasm. The prize is given in honor of Dr. Helen Nash, a pediatrician noted in the St. Louis community for her commitment to excellence, tireless advocacy on behalf of children, and endless enthusiasm for the field of medicine.
The Nash Family Pediatrics Award is awarded to a graduating student showing the greatest promise in clinical Pediatrics.
The Dr. Philip Rosenblatt Award in Pathology is awarded to a senior medical student for distinguished performance during an elective in Pathology or Laboratory Medicine.
The Dr. William A. Rubenstein Award in Medicine is awarded to a 4th year student who shows a serious interest in pursuing a career in internal medicine and who demonstrates the exceptional qualities of a gifted physician, including compassion, caring, and the pursuit of scientific knowledge.
The John R. Smith Memorial Fund Award is awarded annually to a medical student who has done meritorious clinical and/or research work in the Division of Cardiovascular Disease within the Department of Internal Medicine.
The Morton E. Smith Promise in Academic Medicine Award was established in 2020 by the Washington University School of Medicine Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society in honor of Dr. Smith’s years of service as the chapter’s appointed Councilor. The award recognizes a student who has shown exceptional promise in academic medicine and exemplifies Dr. Smith’s passion for teaching, humility, kindness, and good humor in working with their peers, faculty, and staff.
The Samuel D. Soule Award in Obstetrics and Gynecology is awarded annually and recognizes the member of the junior or senior class of WUSM who has shown the most outstanding ability and personal zeal in the areas of basic and/or clinical sciences in obstetrics and gynecology.
The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award is awarded annually to a graduating student based on demonstrated excellence in the specialty of Emergency Medicine.
The Washington University Internal Medicine Club Research Award is awarded to the member of the graduating class who has done the most significant research in any area of internal medicine.
The Samson F. Wennerman Prize in Surgery is awarded annually to a fourth-year student who has demonstrated promise in the field of surgery.
The Hugh M. Wilson Award in Radiology is awarded annually to a graduating medical student in recognition of outstanding work in radiology-related subjects, either clincial or basic science.
The Wynder Prize for Preventative Medicine is awarded to a senior medical student who has done the best research in preventive medicine.
The James Henry Yalem Prize in Dermatology is awarded annually to a member of the graduating class for outstanding work in Dermatology.