Congratulations, Family Medicine Class of 2021
Today we celebrate an outstanding group of family medicine graduates for our 52nd resident and fellow commencement. To honor their incredible achievements, their courage in the midst of a pandemic, and their immense contributions to primary care and community health, we are delighted to share with you the following photos and videos of members of the class of 2021.
"All of you graduates have now gone through what I believe is your formative and defining experience—the challenging, wrenching, tragic, frustrating, and uplifting events of the past year," said Department Head Jim Pacala, MD, MS, in his speech for commencement. "That will be that defining moment for you—one that will stay with you throughout your professional lives."
Help us celebrate by giving them a shout out online using #UMNFamilyMedGrad on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook!
We are proud to honor the following:
- Fifty-seven family medicine residents across our eight residency programs
- Three doctors of pharmacy
- Two behavioral medicine fellows
- Five hospice and palliative medicine fellows
- Two human sexuality fellows, and
- Two sports medicine fellows
We also congratulate:
- Fourteen faculty who completed the Teaching and Curriculum Development (TEACH) Program, and
- Three faculty who completed the Collaboration and Scholarship Intensive (CSI) for Family Medicine Program
A few photos of our grads
View photos of graduates from some of our programs!
2021 STFM Resident Teacher Award Winners
Eight residents received the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) Resident Teacher Award for demonstrated interest, ability, and commitment to family medicine. The STFM Award is presented to residents from each of the eight residency programs who best demonstrate interest in and commitment to family medicine education.
A few of our residency programs captured the conferral of this award upon their residents with video/photos and shared them with us! View those below. We congratulate and tip our hat respectfully to each of the eight recipients of this year's STFM Resident Teacher of the Year Award:
- John Anderson, DO - St. Cloud
- Toni Dick, MD - North Memorial
- Hannah Elsenpeter, MD - Duluth
- Nicholas Ely, MD - St. John's
- Nick Myslicki, MD - Mankato
- Kris Schwacha, DO - UMN Medical Center
- Margaret Schwartz, MD - Methodist
- Thomas Walsh, V, MD - Woodwinds
2021 Leonard P. Burke, MD, Memorial Award
We've got two amazing graduates to recognize. Congratulations to Ramla Kasozi, MBChB, MPH, of St. John's Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program! We also congratulate "TikTok Doc" Rose Marie Leslie, MD, of North Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program! Check out this photo of Dr. Kasozi being presented with her award, and watch Dr. Leslie receive hers. Drs. Kasozi and Leslie both embody the ideals of the award.
A little background on this award: Leonard P. Burke, a graduate of the UMN Medical School in 1931, spent his entire career practicing family medicine in Verona, New Jersey. Upon his death in 1978, his family established this award in his honor. The Leonard P. Burke, MD, Memorial Award is given to a graduating resident whose family medicine training has resulted in a unique service contribution during residency training.
2021 Excellence in Scholarship Award
This award is given in recognition of a graduating resident who has excelled in research and scholarly activities during residency. Its purpose is to encourage more residents to participate in the research process. Congratulations to Stephanie Aldrin, MD, of Woodwinds Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program! Want to watch Dr. Aldrin being surprised with the award over Zoom? Check it out!
2021 Faculty Teaching Award
This year's Faculty Teaching Award goes to someone very special: Jeremy Springer, MD, of Methodist Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program! Dr. Springer's award coincides with his retirement after more than 20 years as Methodist program director. Watch Dr. Springer being presented with the award in this video.
2021 Affiliate Teaching Award
This award is for a member of our affiliated faculty who has demonstrated meritorious achievement in the education of medical students, residents, and/or other health professionals. The 2021 award recipient is Craig Svendsen, MD, of St. John's Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program. Congratulations and well done, Dr. Svendsen! Thank you for all you do.