Alumni Honors & Awards

Distinguished Alumni Award

Created in 2011, the Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to a School of Medicine alumnus/a in recognition of their contributions through their demonstrated continued interest and support of the medical school and its students and/or excelling in their given specialty in the areas of medical science and education. The award is given at the annual homecoming banquet.

  • 2011 - Dr. Elizabeth L. “Betty” Spangler, Class of 1986
  • 2012 - Dr. Ron D. Stollings, Class of 1982
  • 2013 - Dr. R. Mark Hatfield, Class of 1983
  • 2014 - Dr. C. Douglas "Doug" Phillips, Class of 1984
  • 2015 - Dr. Kevin W. Yingling, Class of 1985
  • 2016 - Dr. Mark A. Studeny, Class of 1986
  • 2017 - Dr. Joseph E. “Joe” Evans, Class of 1982
  • 2018 - Dr. Gerald G. “Jerry” Blackwell, Class of 1983
  • 2019 - Dr. Robert A. “Bob” Hess, Class of 1984
  • 2020 - Dr. Charles D. "David" Adair, Class of 1990 
  • 2021 - Dr. Kevin S. Smith, Class of 1986
  • 2022 - Dr. Dan M. Phillips, Class of 1987
  • 2023 - Dr. J. Gregory Rosencrance, Class of 1988

School of Medicine Award of Distinction

Created by the Marshall University Alumni Association in 2012, this award is given to a school of medicine graduate who best represents the mission of the school and brings pride to the medical school through their personal and professional lives. This award is presented during the Marshall University Alumni Association’s annual awards banquet.

  • 2012 - Dr. Kevin W. Yingling, Class of 1985
  • 2013 - Dr. Ron D. Stollings, Class of 1982
  • 2014 - Dr. R. Mark Hatfield, Class of 1983
  • 2015 - Dr. Charles W. Clements II, Class of 1997
  • 2016 - Dr. Joseph E. Evans, Class of 1982
  • 2017 - Dr. Mark A. Studeny, Class of 1986
  • 2018 - Dr. Bobby L. Miller, Class of 1997
  • 2019 - Dr. C. Douglas Phillips, Class of 1984
  • 2022 - Dr. Robert A. Hess, Class of 1984
  • 2023 - Dr. Robert J. Cure, Class of 1998
  • 2024 - Dr. Larry D. Dial Jr., Class of 1999

*Awards not made in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19


Honorary Alumni Award

This special honor is presented annually at the investiture ceremony to the individual who is not a graduate of the school of medicine but has most exemplified distinguished service to our school and/or the medical community we serve.


Faculty Choice Award

This special honor is presented by the Marshall University School of Medicine Alumni Association to the most outstanding fourth-year medical student as selected by the faculty.

  • 2024 - Dr. Kelsey A. Matusic
  • 2023 - Dr. Joseph A. Chirico
  • 2022 - Dr. Ava K. Tennant
  • 2021 - Dr. Hannah R. Leport
  • 2020 - Dr. Alexandrine M. Ratnani
  • 2019 - Dr. Emily M. Wright
  • 2018 - Dr. Leah D. Stalnaker
  • 2017 - Dr. Erika R. Maynard
  • 2016 - Dr. Jordan P. Hilgefort
  • 2015 - Dr. Casey D. Patick
  • 2014 - Dr. Rebecca M. Hayes
  • 2013 - Dr. Jacob T. Kilgore     
  • 2012 - Dr. Joshua C. Ferrell
  • 2011 - Dr. Mary T. Sale
  • 2010 - Dr. Stephen J. Balevic
  • 2009 - Drs. Janelle M. King & Sydnee S. Smirl McElroy
  • 2008 - Dr. J. Chris Kitchen
  • 2007 - Dr. Samantha L. Cook
  • 2006 - Dr. Shane A. Wells
  • 2005 - Drs. Ellie Earles Hood & Nicole L. Grieve           
  • 2004 - Dr. C. Cory Nicely
  • 2003 - Dr. Jessica A. Shields
  • 2002 - Dr. Steven C. Lochow
  • 2001 - Dr. Carmella Evans Molina
  • 2000 - Dr. David L. Eldridge
  • 1999 - Dr. Brian D. Springer
  • 1998 - Dr. Joshua A. Haddox
  • 1997 - Dr. Lisa J. Pfitzer