2023 GRADUATE AWARDS
DR . CHARLES R . DREW AWARD — The College of Medicine ’ s highest award ; this honor is presented to the graduating senior who has most exemplified the combination of compassion and academic excellence over all of the years of training . Winners of this award perform in a manner exemplary of the institution ’ s mission , with great compassion in clinical service and outstanding participation in community service .
RECIPENT : Roberto Gonzalez
DR . MARTIN LUTHER KING JR . AWARD — Named for the noted civil rights leader , this award is presented to the graduating student who has most exemplified outstanding leadership skills throughout their medical school career .
RECIPENT : Kelechi Okpara
DR . REBECCA LEE AWARD — This award is in honor for the first African American woman to receive the MD Degree in the United States and is presented to the graduating student who has best exemplified excellent performance despite adverse circumstances .
RECIPENT : Janae Chatmon
DR . CARLOS CONSECO GONZALEZ AWARD — This award is named for the Mexican physician who was honored for his Public Health advocacy and for co-developing an international campaign to eradicate polio by using an aerosol vaccination . This award is presented to the graduating student who has the most exemplified excellence in community service or public health .
RECIPENT : Melvin Rico
DR . GERALDINE BURTON-BRANCH AWARD — The Dr . Geraldine Burton-Branch Award is named for the outstanding physician who resided in and had a clinical practice in the community served by the former King-Drew Medical Center in South Los Angeles . This award is presented to the graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding community service .
RECIPENT : Angelica Johnsen
MITCHELL SPELLMAN AWARD — This award is named for the first dean of the College of Medicine and is presented to the graduating senior who has demonstrated unique and noteworthy achievement outside the areas of academic medicine and community service .
RECIPENT : Yasmine Abbey
CESAR CHAVEZ AWARD — This award is named for the noted Mexican-American labor leader and civil rights activist , and is presented to the graduating student who exemplifies Ceasar Chavez ’ s commitment to education and service .
RECIPENT : Natalia Garcia Penaloza
18 CHARLES R . DREW UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND SCIENCE