Graduation

Requirements

1. Satisfactory completion of all course work and requirements specified in the curriculum including passage of the USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK and USMLE step 2 CS board examinations.
2. Enrollment as a student in the School of Medicine while completing at least the final two academic years of course work unless extraordinary circumstances have arisen. In all cases the curriculum requirements of the School of Medicine will be adhered to
3. Approval by the promotions committee and recommendation by the faculty of the School of Medicine for conferring of the degree, Doctor of Medicine
4. Satisfactory status concerning financial obligations to the LSU System
5. Certification that all materials issued as returnable items have been accounted for in an acceptable manner

Internship and Residencies

The School endeavors to assist graduating students in obtaining suitable appointments in hospitals approved for internship and residency by the American Council of Graduate Medical Education. Students seek internships through the National Residency Matching Program, and are advised on internship and residency matters by a special committee of the faculty and by individual faculty advisors.

Awards

The awards and scholarships listed in this section are designed to promote high attainment of scholarship among students of the School of Medicine.

The Chancellor’s Award - A cash award of $1,000 is presented annually to a high ranking graduating student who has done the most to promote the health sciences and the School before the public. Selection is made by a committee of the faculty appointed by the Dean, with consultation by members of the graduating class. This award was established by the Chancellor of the Medical Center in 1977.

The Dean’s Award - This award of an engraved plaque and a cash honorarium is given to the senior medical student who has demonstrated excellence in leadership qualities and who, in the opinion of a committee of the faculty, offers the most potential for future leadership in the medical profession. This award was developed by the Dean of the School of Medicine and was given for the first time in 1978.

The Class of 1993 Bobbie A. Millet Award - This award was established and is sponsored by the Class of 1993, honoring Bobbie Millet, a valued and loved member of the Student Affairs Office. Selection is made by the graduating class based on an unselfish attitude, total commitment towards assisting fellow students through whatever problems they encounter with enthusiasm and optimism, qualities that Bobbie personifies. The award consists of a plaque.

The Richard M. Paddison Medical Alumni Association Award - This award, sponsored by the LSU Medical School Alumni Association, consists of a certificate and a check. The late Dr. Paddison served as the first Assistant Dean for Alumni Affairs from 1980-1984. Prior to 1980, he served with distinction as the Head of the Department of Neurology. The student selected for this award is chosen by his/her classmates and is the physician they would seek if they required medical attention. Qualities considered for this award include: compassion, integrity, sincerity and care of patients.

The Harry Emerson Dascomb Award in Infectious Diseases - This award, consisting of a cash award as well as a framed certificate, is presented to the Senior student who demonstrates the most outstanding performance on the infectious disease consultation service. An engraved plaque with the name of each year’s recipient will remain in the Department of Medicine. The creation of this award is in honor of Dr. Dascomb for his outstanding clinical, leadership, and personal qualities during his years as chief of the Section of Infectious Diseases.

The Henry W. Jolly Jr. Award in Dermatology - This award, consisting of a plaque, and a check is given to an outstanding graduating senior student in Dermatology, who exemplifies the potential qualities of a good physician and dermatologist. The award is in appreciation of and recognition of the outstanding contributions of Dr. Henry W. Jolly, Jr., former head of the Dermatology Department (July, 1974-1985), to the field of Dermatology and to the teaching of medical students and residents. The Faculty of the Department of Dermatology selects the recipient.

The John Bobear Award in Pulmonology - This cash award and trophy is presented to a graduating senior student who has demonstrated outstanding performance in the pulmonary medicine consultation service. The creation of this award is in honor of Dr. John Bobear for his outstanding clinical leadership and personal qualities exhibited during his years as chief of the section of Pulmonary Medicine.

The American College of Physicians Internal Medicine Award of Excellence - Established in 1993 by the Louisiana Chapter of the American College of Physicians, this award is presented annually to the graduating senior from each of Louisiana’s three medical schools who most represents the ideals of the internal medicine specialty. The recipient is chosen by the Department of Medicine, with input from the internal medicine house staff, and is honored with a cash award.

The Kornberg Award in Biochemistry - This award is presented to a Senior student for outstanding performance in medical biochemistry. The recipient is chosen by the faculty of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and is presented as an engraved plaque and a cash award.

The Alastair H. Burns Physiology Award - This award is in memory of Dr. Alastair H. Burns, a former member of the Department of Physiology. The award honors a graduating senior student who has achieved academic excellence in physiology and/ or has performed research in or provided service to the Department of Physiology during the years enrolled in the School of Medicine. The award consists of a gift certificate and an engraved plaque.

The Pharmacology Award - This award consists of cash and a plaque and is presented to the graduating senior who has demonstrated academic excellence as well as excellence in research and service in the area of pharmacology. The Department chooses the recipient of this award.

The Bick Scholarship Award in Psychiatry - This is a cash award and certificate presented annually on behalf of the Louisiana Psychiatric Association to the Senior student who has been designated by the Department of Psychiatry as having shown outstanding interest and achievement in this area of medicine.

The Abe Mickal Award in Obstetrics and Gynecology - This award, consisting of a plaque, is presented to the graduating Senior student designated by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, who has demonstrated academic excellence and outstanding interest in that area. The LSU Obstetrics and Gynecology Alumni Association sponsors the award, honoring the late Dr. Abe Mickal, former head of the Department.

The Charles Murphy Orthopaedic Award - This award is made by the Louisiana Orthopaedic Association to a Senior student. The award consists of a certificate and recognition at the annual meeting of the Association.

The George D. Lyons Award in Otorhinolaryngology - This award is sponsored by the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and the Eye and Ear Institute of Louisiana and named after Dr. George D. Lyons, esteemed former head of the Department who served from 1970 to 1993. The Department of Otorhinolaryngology selects the graduating senior who has done outstanding work and interest in the field. The award consists of an engraved plaque and a check.

The American Medical Women’s Association Awards - The awards, consisting of certificates of merit, are presented to the women graduates who are top scholars in their class. The awards focus attention on the accomplishments of women in medicine and are sponsored by the American Medical Women’s Association. Selection is made by a committee of the faculty.

The Gerald R. Gehringer Award - This award is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding scholarship and leadership and a proven commitment to a family practice career. The award consists of an appropriately inscribed plaque and a cash honorarium. This recipient is selected by a committee of the Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians.

Medicine Alumni Excellence in Anatomy Award - The Medical School Alumni Association sponsors this award that recognizes the graduating senior medical student who performed the best in Gross Anatomy, Cell Biology and Microanatomy and Human Prenatal Development. The awardee is chosen by the directors of the three above courses and will be determined by having the best cumulative grades in the three courses. The award consists of a check and a plaque.

The George S. Bel Memorial Award - A plaque is presented annually to a high-ranking Senior who is considered to “represent the highest ideals of medicine.” Selection is made by a committee from the faculty appointed by the Dean with participation of the members of the Senior class. The award was established by the late Mrs. George S. Bel as a memorial to her late husband, who had been professor of medicine and head of the Department from the founding of the School until his death in 1939.

The Russell L. Holman Memorial Pathology Award - This award is made by the Louisiana Pathology Society in memory of Dr. Russell L. Holman, an outstanding pathologist who served as head of the Department of Pathology from 1946 until his death in 1960. The award is presented to the Senior student in the graduating class who has demonstrated unusual ability and interest as well as basic scholarship in the fields of clinical pathology, forensic pathology, or pathologic anatomy. A committee derived from members of the Louisiana Pathology Society and the Department of Pathology selects the recipient of a cash award and a plaque.

The G. Gordon McHardy Award in Gastroenterology - This award was established by a grateful physician who trained as a post-doctoral fellow under Dr. McHardy. Dr. McHardy was chief of the Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, of the School of Medicine, for many years and achieved national prominence for his research and work in that area. The cash award will be made each year to the graduating senior who “demonstrates industry, integrity, intelligence; who professes a desire for knowledge in clinical gastroenterology, and who demonstrates the faith and courage to see it through as typified by Dr. McHardy.”

The Carl F. Tucker Memorial Pathology Award - This award is made in memory of Dr. Carl F. Tucker, an LSU graduate and distinguished pathologist, from a fund created by members of his family and colleagues. The award is presented during the junior year to that student who demonstrated the highest proficiency in Pathology during the sophomore year, and has a demonstrated interest in clinical medicine and research.

The Hull-Akenhead Memorial Award - In honor of the late Dr. Edgar Hull and the late Dr. Walton R. Akenhead, an award is made to the graduating Senior student with outstanding academic accomplishments related to cardiovascular disease. The award will be based on performance during the Junior Medicine Clerkship, Senior Cardiology Elective, and research conducted during the four years of medical school. Nominations are made from basic science departments, selected clinical departments, and the Senior class. The award is decided by the Section of Cardiology of the Department of Medicine.

The Stephen Osofsky Memorial Award - was established in memory of Dr. Stephen Osofsky by the Department of Pediatrics of Louisiana State University Medical School at New Orleans to recognize the outstanding Acting Intern in Pediatrics. Dr. Stephen Osofsky was Medical Director of Children’s Hospital from 1982-1986. He was a consummate pediatrician and educator deeply concerned about resident and student education. The award consists of a plaque and a gift certificate to the Medical Center Bookstore.

The Herbert Rothschild Memorial Award - was established by the Greater New Orleans Pediatric Society and the Department of Pediatrics to recognize an outstanding graduating senior in the field of Pediatrics at Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. This award honors Dr. Rothschild who, for over 50 years, practiced Pediatrics in New Orleans. Following his distinguished career as a practicing physician, Dr. Rothschild joined the full-time faculty of the Department of Pediatrics to teach and guide students and residents in the care of children. The award consists of a plaque, certificate and a cash award. This award is presented annually at the May meeting of the Greater New Orleans Pediatrics Society. The student is also recognized at the Pre-commencement exercises.

The Nicole Melissa Munn Memorial Award in Pediatric Neurology - This cash award, made possible by the family of Nicole Melissa Munn is given to the graduating Senior student who has demonstrated superior medical knowledge throughout the four years of medical school, is oriented toward patient care, completed a Pediatric Neurology elective in the senior year, demonstrated medical competence in clinical situations and demonstrated exceptional human relations skills in clinical situations. A committee of faculty and house staff from the Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology select the recipient.

The Luis Perez Memorial Award in Ophthalmology - This award is given to that graduating Senior student who exhibits both academic excellence and clinical growth during the fourth year curriculum. The recipient is chosen by the faculty of the Department of Ophthalmology. The award, consists of current books in the field of ophthalmology.

The Urban Maes Memorial Award - A cash award is presented annually to the Senior student who, in the opinion of the surgical staff, has shown the greatest promise for future accomplishment in the field of clinical surgery. This award is given in honor of Dr. Urban Maes, who served as head of the Department of Surgery for fifteen years. In 1947, he was named professor emeritus and served in this capacity until his death in 1954. The award is provided by friends of Dr. Maes.

The G. John Buddingh Memorial Microbiology Award - In honor of the late Dr. Buddingh, a pioneer researcher in virology. He was an internationally respected infectious disease clinician, who was head of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology from 1946 until his retirement in 1971. This is an annual presentation to the Senior medical student who demonstrates outstanding scholarship, interest, and ability in the general areas of medical microbiology and immunology. The cash award and a suitably engraved plaque, is provided by friends of Dr. Buddingh. A committee representing the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, as well as adjunct faculty select the recipient.

The Louisiana ACEP and LSU Emergency Medicine Award - The Louisiana Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians and the LSU Emergency Medicine Residency Program at University Hospital recognizes a graduating senior medical student who has shown outstanding interest and performance in emergency medicine and intends to pursue a career in Emergency Medicine. The Board of Directors of LACEP selects the awardee from those students who participate in the emergency elective offered at University Hospital. The award consists of a cash award and an emergency medicine textbook.

The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Award - The section of Emergency Medicine of the Department of Medicine selects the outstanding graduating senior medical student who has demonstrated excellence in the specialty of Emergency Medicine. The award consists of a certificate and textbook on Emergency Medicine and a year’s subscription to Academic Emergency Medicine Journal.

The George H. Karam Alpha Omega Alpha Award for Teaching Excellence - This award recognizes the importance of teaching in a medical practice. The Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society supports a cash award for the graduating senior medical student, selected by his/her peers who exhibits an outstanding ability to teach others. The award is named after Dr. George H. Karam, a member of the Medicine faculty at Earl K. Long Memorial Hospital, who is committed towards excellence in teaching and mentoring medical students.

The Moses Maimonides Award for Ethics in Medicine - The late Dr. Bernard L. Kaplan, a member of the LSU School of Medicine, Class of 1956 established this award to emphasize the importance of practicing ethics in medicine. The award is named after the great physician and scholar of the 12th Century, Moses Maimonides because he was considered to be the perfect embodiment of ethics in medicine. Selection of the recipient is made by a committee of the faculty with input from students and members of the graduating class. The recipient will receive a plaque and cash award.

The Esprit De Corps Award - This award, given to a member of the graduating class consisting of a plaque was established and sponsored by the Class of 1991. Selection is made by the graduating class based on an unselfish attitude and total commitment towards assisting fellow students through whatever problems they may have experienced as well as their enthusiasm and optimism in dealing with their issues.

The Norma C. Ragland Memorial Award - This award is made in the memory of Norma Ragland, wife of a member of the Class of 1990 who died just prior to the May 1990 commencement ceremonies. Her husband, Dr. Pat Ragland, established the award in the memory of his wife. The recipient of the award is chosen by a committee of the faculty. Selection of the graduating senior medical student is based on outstanding academic performance over the four years of medical school.