Medical school faculty and staff honored for their impact and contributions

Pictured: Award-winners Jessica B. O'Connell, MD (front row, third from the left) and Kat-Kit Hui, MD (front row, fourth from the left) join graduating doctors in reciting the Oath of Hippocrates at the 2026 commencement ceremony.

Over the course of the spring semester, faculty and staff were recognized by the Dean’s Office at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the UCLA Teaching and Learning Center, and the UCLA Staff Assembly for their impact on clinical and classroom teaching, student success, and the art of medicine. Congratulations to all!

The following awards were recognized on stage at the David Geffen School of Medicine’s Commencement on May 29, 2026. 

Sherman M. Mellinkoff Faculty Award: Established in 1979 and named after the late Dr. Mellinkoff, former dean of the medical school, this award is regarded by the faculty as a high honor and recognizes the ideal of the finest in doctor-patient relationships and medical education. 

• Ka-Kit Hui, MD – Internal Medicine

The Wilbur S. Schwartz MD Prize for Kindness, Compassion and Humanity: This prize celebrates the legacy of Dr. Wilbur Schwartz, a member of the first residency class, who was known for his leadership, compassion and humanity. It recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated this same spirit to patients and peers in medical service and treatment. 

• Jessica B. O’Connell, MD – Vascular Surgery 

Within the Commencement program, faculty awards were celebrated as follows. We are honored to recognize and share these achievements. 

Kaiser-Permanente and Lucien B. Guze Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching: 

• Daphne Calmes, MD – Pediatrics; Charles Drew University 
• Alan Chiem, MD, MPH - Emergency Sonography
• Aparna Sridhar, MD, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology

Kaiser-Permanente Award for Excellence in Education – Established in 1991 to recognize outstanding dedication, innovation and sustained excellence in education: The award recognizes faculty who carried an exceptional teaching load; created educational innovations; managed an educational component with skill, innovation, enthusiasm and success; or played a key role in interdepartmental educational activities.

• Nupur Agrawal, MD, MPH – Pediatrics and Internal Medicine
• Sriram V. Eleswarapu, MD, PhD – Andrology and Urology
• Alexandra M. Glaeser, MD – Hospital Medicine 
• Jiyeon M. Jeong, MD –  Internal Medicine 
• Ian T. MacQueen, MD – General Surgery 
• Mark T. Munekata, MD, MPH – Internal Medicine
• M. Elena Stark, MD, PhD – Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Serge and Yvette Dadone Clinical Teaching Award in honor of Dr. Saleh Salehmoghaddam: This peer-reviewed award is focused on the clinical teaching of medical students and residents. It recognizes faculty who carried an exceptional clinical teaching load; sustained excellence as a clinical teacher, with at least 10 years on faculty at UCLA; demonstrated evidence of a scholarly approach to teaching and work; or were noted by peers for the value of that clinical teaching and care.

• Neveen S. El-Farra, MD – Hospital Medicine 
• Ryan Pedigo, MD, MHPE – Emergency Medicine 

In addition, several David Geffen School of Medicine faculty received UCLA Distinguished Teaching Awards from the UCLA Teaching and Learning Center. 

Recipients are recognized for their teaching excellence and educational innovation, including creativity in the classroom, helping students thrive and enhancing the educational experience. Neveen S. El-Farra, MD was a member of the selection committee. 

Distinguished Teaching Awards, 2026:

• Edward L. Ha, MD, MEd - Medicine (Recognized for Practice of Teaching)
• Areti Tillou, MD - Surgery (Recognized for Practice of Teaching)
• Jorge Torres, PhD – Chemistry and Biochemistry, JCCC member (Recognized for Undergraduate Mentorship)

The UCLA Staff Assembly presents a variety of awards, including the Faculty/Staff Partnership Award and the Kevin McCauley Memorial Outstanding Staff Award. 

Faculty/Staff Partnership Award: Celebrating a UCLA faculty member who develops and encourages partnership with staff and recognizes the value of a faculty-staff partnership. 

• Arlene Brown, MD, PhD – Professor of Medicine; Director, Clinical and Translational Science Institute

Kevin McCauley Memorial Outstanding Staff Award: Celebrating a UCLA staff member who promotes inclusive excellence, community, collaboration, forward-thinking, and quality. 

• Melanie Bonilla – Program Manager, Dean's Office, David Geffen School of Medicine