HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine announced its 2023 Diversity and Inclusion Award winners March 16, 2023.

“We are excited to recognize outstanding schools of medicine and pharmacy faculty, staff members, residents and students who best demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion”, said Shelvy L. Campbell-Monroe, Ph.D., associate dean for diversity and inclusion.

The 2023 Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award winners are as follows:

The Drs. Joseph B. and Omayma T. Touma Excellence in Diversity Lifetime Achievement Awardrecognizes an individual who has made major, innovative and cumulatively outstanding contributions to enhance the practice of equality and diversity while devoting a major portion of their professional career to the effort.

• Paulette S. Wehner, M.D., vice dean of graduate medical education

 The Pharmacy Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award recognizes a Marshall University School of Pharmacy student who promotes and supports the needs, values and respect of underrepresented communities and who is sensitive to the issues of diversity and takes action to promote the ideals of inclusion, equity and community.

• Simeon Cullens, fourth-year pharmacy student
• Hannah Carreon, third-year pharmacy student

The Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Student Service Awardrecognizes fourth-year medical students who have gone above and beyond their medical school commitment to mentor and encourage ethnic minorities and individuals from the most deprived areas to pursue their dreams of becoming a physician.

• Fatih Koc,fourth-year medical student
• Richard Mensah, fourth-year medical student

The Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy Award recognizes a medical student, faculty, resident or staff member who has demonstrated a commitment to diversity by serving as a role model and by contributing to the education of the schools of medicine and pharmacy community regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals and issues.

• Uma Sundaram, M.D., vice dean of research and graduate education
• Leah Ching, fourth-year medical student

Shelvy Campbell-Monroe Graduate Medical Education Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award recognizes diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the graduate medical education community.

• Christopher T. Marazon, D.O., family medicine residency program director at Holzer Health System
• Marty Poe, C-TAGME, OB/GYN residency program coordinator

The Excellence through Diversity Award is given to faculty, resident, staff or alumni who go above and beyond to exemplify valuing people and the diversity goals of the schools of medicine and pharmacy through their participation and involvement with diverse individuals, groups and outreach programs while also providing leadership to encourage meaningful interaction and activities among diverse groups to improve campus climate.

• Esiemoghie Jatto Akhigbe, M.D., resident physician at Marshall Health
• Tiffany Davis, PharmD, clinical assistant professor at the School of Pharmacy
• Emily Sloane, M.D., obstetrician/gynecologist at Marshall Health

Date Posted: Thursday, March 16, 2023