Distinguished Alumni Awards

Every year, the UW School of Medicine Alumni Association recognizes exceptional alumni with a series of awards. We encourage UW School of Medicine alumni, faculty, staff, students, and other professional colleagues to nominate alumni for one or more of the awards listed below.

Nominations for the 2025 awards are open; you may submit nominations until December 31, 2024. Please contact the Alumni Office at medalum@uw.edu with any questions about the awards or nomination process.

Nomination Form

Suggest a colleague or alum for an award!

Nominate an Alum

Distinguished Alumnus/a Award

Recognizes an alum whose professional achievements and cumulative contributions have brought personal distinction, enhanced the general health and well-being of the public through professional practice, research or public policy, and brought honor to their alma mater.

2024 Recipient: Lawrence E. Holland, MD, Res. ’86

We honor Dr. Lawrence Holland for his outstanding dedication and achievements in the field of orthopedics. Over four decades, Dr. Holland has consistently demonstrated compassion, competence, adaptability and leadership. His commitment to patient care, medical education and philanthropy is evident through his extensive involvement in teaching, mentoring and charitable endeavors. His remarkable journey to becoming a highly respected orthopedic surgeon exemplifies resilience, hard work and generosity. Despite his many accolades and awards, Dr. Holland remains humble and focused on the well-being of his patients and colleagues. He serves as an inspiring model for future generations of physicians.

Alumni Humanitarian Award

Honors an alum who embodies an ongoing commitment to providing healthcare to communities in need and the underserved, or whose extraordinary service has contributed to the good of humankind.

2024 Recipient: Ramona M. Okumura, BS ’81

We honor Ramona Okumura, a dedicated clinician and lecturer with 27 years of service to the University of Washington School of Medicine. Ramona’s humanitarian efforts in the field of pediatric prosthetics are truly commendable. Through her work previously with the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and now HEAL Palestine, she has provided essential prosthetic treatment as well as training for Palestinian clinicians in Gaza. Ramona’s tireless dedication to improving the lives of children with limb loss extends beyond her physical presence in Gaza; she actively collects donated prosthetic components and provides virtual consultations. Her leadership in organizations like the Association of Children’s Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics reflect her broader impact in advancing the field, while her service with Gaza Amputee Projects highlights her unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes.

Alumni Service Award

Recognizes an alum whose dedicated and determined efforts have benefited the University of Washington School of Medicine and/or the University of Washington School of Medicine Alumni Association and/or their community.

2024 Recipient: Scott R. Stuart, MD ’01, Res. ’04, Chief Res. ’05

We celebrate Dr. Scott Stuart for his exceptional service to his alma mater and the medical community. Dr. Stuart demonstrated empathetic and collaborative leadership during his tenure as president of the University of Washington School of Medicine Alumni Association from 2014–2022, significantly enhancing the UWSOM Alumni Association and fostering greater unity within the alumni community. Dr. Stuart’s dedication to medical education includes his coordination of shadowing and clerkship opportunities; mentoring of aspiring healthcare professionals; participation in alumni and community events such as the UW Diversity Career Fair and Dinner with a Dawg; and his role as a capstone instructor. His professional achievements, volunteer work and many awards underscore his contributions as a clinician, teacher and mentor.

Alumni Early Achievement Award

Honors an alum who graduated within the last 20 years and has excelled in their career, making significant contributions to public health through clinical care, medical science, research, humanitarianism or administrative activities.

2024 Recipient: Andrew Trister, MD, PhD, Res. ’10, Chief Res. ’14

We honor Dr. Andrew Trister for his early-career achievements as a leader and innovator in expanding access to healthcare through technology. Dr. Trister led the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s efforts to accelerate the development and adoption of molecular and antigen tests during the COVID-19 pandemic. His career highlights include serving as the Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at Verily, as deputy director of digital health and artificial intelligence at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and as a founding member of Apple’s Health team. His leadership roles, including board positions and advisory roles in healthcare companies, further illustrate his commitment to advancing global health through technology and innovation. Dr. Trister is an active mentor and contributes to scholarly work in healthcare and technology that focuses on improving healthcare access and delivery worldwide.

Watch videos celebrating previous years’ recipients by following the links in the lists below.

2023
John J. Mulvihill, MD ’69
2022
Peter J. Kudenchuk, MD ’79, Res. ’82, Fel. ‘83
2021
John T. Schiller, PhD ‘82
2019
Peter S. Rabinovitch, MD ’79, PhD ’80, Res. ’81
Robert A. Winquist, MD ’69, Res. ’74
2018
Benjamin S. Danielson, MD ’92, Res. ’95
2017
Richard Kirkpatrick, MD ’72
F. Bruder Stapleton, MD, Res. ’74
2016
Barbara J. deLateur, MD ’63, Res. ’67, M.S. ’68
Henry G. Kaplan, MD, Res. ‘74, Chief Res. ’77
2015
John Olerud, MD ’71, Res. ’76, Res. ’78
2014
George Ojemann, MD, Res., ’64
2013
Catherine M. Otto, MD ’79, Fel. ’85
2012
John W. Kendall, Jr., MD ’56
2011
Lawrence K. Altman, MD, Res. ’68, Fel. ’69
2010
Roger E. Moe, MD ’59, Res. ’68
2009
Harry R. Kimball, Res. ’64, Res. ’68
2008
Gerald T. Nepom, PhD ’77, MD ’78
2007
Jan V. Hirschmann, MD ’70
2006
Marcus E. Raichle, MD ’64
2005
Kenneth R. Wilske, MD ’59, Res. ’62
2004
Jerry S. Trier, MD ’57
2003
William J. Bremner, MD ’69, Res. ’72
2002
Roger J. Bulger, Res. ’65, Fel. ’66
2001
Sigvard T. Hansen, MD ’61, Res. ’69
2000
Merle A. Sande, MD ’65
1999
Wayne E. Crill, MD ’62

1998
Leonard D. Hudson, MD ’64
1997
D. Eugene Strandness, Jr., MD ’54, Res. ’62
1996
Robert W. Higgins, MD ’65
1995
Harry N. Beaty, MD ’58 , Res. ’63
1994
Manus C. Kraff, MD ’57
1993
Lloyd M. Nyhus, MD, Res. ’56
1992
Edmund W. Gray, MD ’53, and Judith G. Hall, MD ’66
1991
M. Roy Schwarz, MD ’62, Faculty
1990
Charles A. Evans, Faculty
Charles E. Odegaard, Faculty
Cornelius Rosse, Faculty
George N. Aagaard, Emeritus Dean
John D. Chase, Emeritus Dean
John R. Hogness, Res. ’51, Emeritus Dean
Robert L. Van Citters, Emeritus Dean
David C. Dale, Res. ’72, Emeritus Dean
Clement Finch, Fel., Faculty/Author
James W. Haviland, Faculty/Author
Hilding H. Olson, Res. ’51, Faculty/Author
1989
William O. Rieke, MD ’58
1988
James E. Dalen, MD ’61
1987
Eloise R. Giblett, MD ’51, Fel. ’55, and George M. Martin, MD ’53
1986
Donald M. Keith, MD ’58, and Jerome B. Posner, MD ’55, Int. ’56
1985
Gerald P. Murphy, MD ’59
1984
John R. Hogness, MD, Res. ’51
1983
Donald D. Trunkey, MD ’63
1982
Lloyd C. Elam, MD ’57
1981
Richard J. Blandau, MD, ’72, Res. ’78, ’79
1980
J. Bruce Beckwith, MD ’58
1979
William H. Foege, MD ’61

2023
Andrew C. Castrodale, MD ’94
2022
Thomas J. Benedetti, MD ’73, MHA ’00
2021
Erika A. Goldstein, MD, Res. ’84, MPH
2019
Sandra E. Juul, M.D. ’81, Res. ’84, Chief Res. ’86, Fel. ’89, Ph.D.
2018
John F. McCarthy, M.D. ’90, Res. ’92
2017
J. Randall Curtis, M.D., Res. ’91, Chief Res. ’92, MPH, Fel. ’95
2016
Michael J. Ryan, M.D., Res. ’89, Chief Res. ’90, Fel. ’93
2015
John Betz, PA-C (MEDEX, Seattle Class 1)
2014
Ted Epperly, M.D. ’80
2012
Samuel H. Tarica, M.D. ’52, Res. ’53, Res. ’55
David F. Wolter, M.D. ’52, Res. ’58
2011
Anna H. Chavelle, M.D. ’57

2010
Jack N. Lein, M.D. ’55
2008
John H. Vassall II, M.D. ’78
2001
Richard H. Layton, M.D. ’54
1998
John Philip Sauntry, M.D. ’51
1997
Bruce C. Gilliland, Res. ’64
1996
Rick Lane Johnson, M.D. ’61, Res. ’64
1995
Werner E. Samson, M.D. ’53, Res. ’58
1993
John H. Pierce, M.D. ’65
1992
Glenn M. Doornink, M.D. ’53
1990
John N. Kirkpatrick, M.D. ’73
1986
Kenneth N. Anderson, Sr., M.D. ’58, Res. ’62, Fel. ’62, Res. ’67

2023
Julie R. Gralow, MD, Fel. ’95
2022
Blair B. Washington, MD ’02, MHA
2021
John E. Fankhauser, MD ‘89
2019
Tipu V. Khan, MD ’08
2018
Michael Haglund, MD ’87, PhD ’88, Res. ’92, Fel. ’95
2017
Lois Thetford, PA-C (Seattle 14)
2016
Samuel R. Baker, MD ’66, Res. ’74
2015
Jamie Garcia, MD ’99
2014
Matthew Oliva, MD ’99, Res. ’03
2013
Juliette M. Engel, MD ’74, Res. ’75, ’78
2012
Melissa C. Smith, MD ’87, Res. ’91
2011
Frank W. Ogden, MD ’61
2010
Jamal K. Gwathney, MD ’99

2008
Ann Y. Kao, MD ’00
2006
Donald H. Mott, MD ’66
2005
Raymond E. Vath, MD ’65, Res. ’69
2004
Walter B. Hollow, MD ’75, Res. ’78
2003
Isaac S. Pope, MD ’74
2002
Dennis G. Carlson, MD ’55
2001
Doris H. Wilson, MD ’51
2000
Thomas M. Green, MD ’69, Res. ’75
1999
Keith Andrew Hurst, MD ’90, Res. ’92, and Vashti Apostol-Hurst
1998
Jill H. Seaman, MD ’78
1997
Henry A. Kuharic, MD ’54, Res. ’60
1995
Frederick F. Holmes, MD ’57, and Grace E. Foege Holmes, MD ’57

2002
Michael K. Copass, Res. ’73

2003
Bruce C. Gilliland, MD, Res. ’64