Honors Day awards are presented annually to senior undergraduate and graduate students and faculty by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

The students and faculty recognized have been nominated by fellow members of the CNHS community—including students, faculty and staff—for their leadership, scholarship and service to the College.

Dean's Honors

Dean's Outstanding Undergraduate Award, Dean's Inclusive Excellence Award

The Dean's Outstanding Undergraduate Award is presented to students who have demonstrated exemplary professional growth and contributions during their tenure at UVM. The Dean's Inclusive Excellence Award recognizes a student, faculty or staff member who has significantly contributed to creating an environment of social justice, inclusion, and equity at the Department, College, University or community level.

Dean's Outstanding Undergraduate Award and Dean's Inclusive Excellence Award 2023 Winner:

• Wing Yin “Ellie” Cheung was honored with the Dean's Awards for her scholarship, leadership, and impact on the UVM community. Ellie was a peer mentor in the CNHS LINKS program and a UVM student ambassador, hosting prospective students from marginalized communities. As a residential advisor in the cultural crossroads community, she supported many first-generation students, students of color, and international students. She served on the planning committee for the annual networking conference hosted by the Mosaic Center for Students of Color, as co-president of the Tower Society, and is a member of the UVM Honors College.a

Dean's Outstanding Graduate Student Award

Presented to the graduate student who has demonstrated exemplary professional growth and contributions during their tenure at UVM.

Dean's Outstanding Graduate Student Award 2023 Winner:

• Alyssa Richman was honored for fostering a vibrant and intellectual environment and research community in the College. Working under Dr. Seth Frietze, her research resulted in publications and presentations at national, international, and local levels, providing significant contributions to the field of cancer biology. Alyssa is the past recipient of a UVM Cancer Center Summer Research Fellowship and recently received a fellowship supported by the Department of Education. 

Communication Sciences and Disorders Department Honors

Eleanor M. Luse Graduate Student Award

Presented to the graduate student demonstrating the most impressive combination of academic achievement, clinical service, and professionalism.

Eleanor M. Luse Graduate Student Award 2023 Winners:

• Kathryn Fagan was recognized as a skilled clinician and top academic performer, leader, and role model with an aptitude for patient counseling. She's interested in working with children, specializing in articulation, fluency, and literacy.
• Emma Lamothe was honored for her critical thinking and problem-solving skills with clients and recognized for her interpersonal skills and style of family-centered care. She completed her master's degree with a 4.0 grade point average.

Margaret Kyte Memorial Award

Presented to a graduating senior for outstanding academic performance.

Margaret Kyte Memorial Award 2023 Winners:

• Emily Collins was honored for academic achievement and outstanding commitment to learning. Collins earned the highest GPA in the program while participating in numerous extracurricular activities and working through college. They served as a resident advisor, helped create the LinkUP peer mentoring program for first-year students of color in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and interned with Out in the Open, an organization serving rural LGBTQ people in New England.

• Katie Pegnam was recognized for her support to others, including her service as a peer mentor and student ambassador, member of the Speech and Hearing Club and CSD Honor Society, and working with children at a summer camp. She will pursue a graduate degree in speech-language pathology at the University of New Hampshire in the fall.

Vermont Speech-Language Hearing Association Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award

Presented to the senior who shows strong academic performance and outstanding promise for professional achievement.

Vermont Speech-Language Hearing Association Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award 2023 Winner:

• Taylor Dalzell was recognized for her academic achievement and willingness to support her peers.She was a valued member of the audiology team at the Eleanor Luse Center’s on-campus clinic, where patients loved her laughter, and faculty and staff appreciated her dedication. She will enter the Doctor of Audiology program at Vanderbilt University this fall.

Communication Sciences and Disorders Award for Excellence

Presented to a graduating senior for demonstrated excellence in scholarship, leadership, and professional promise.

Communication Sciences and Disorders Award for Excellence 2023 Winner:

• Alexa Hulse was honored for her academic and professional achievements. At UVM, she was a teaching assistant, research assistant, and student ambassador. She served as co-director of the CSD peer mentorship program, helping to build a sense of community among students. Alexa is planning a career in medical speech-language pathology.

Promise Award

Presented to the undergraduate student the faculty deem to have the most promise in communication sciences and disorders research or clinical work.

Promise Award 2023 Winner:

• Kat Subramanian was nominated for conscientious involvement and academic excellence. She was a Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Honor Society member, Think College co-president, a CSD peer mentor, and participated in the Asian Student Union. Kat conducted her Honors thesis research in Dr. Emily Bowery's speech fluency lab, investigating differences in autonomic activity among people who stutter and submitted her research for a poster presentation at the 2023 convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). 

Biomedical and Health Sciences Department Honors

F.W. Van Buskirk Award

Presented in recognition of the senior student with the highest grade point average in the Radiation Therapy program.

F.W. Van Buskirk Award 2023 Winner:

• Melissa Ednie was honored for her academic performance and willingness to help her classmates. She graduated with a 3.8 GPA, and during her time at UVM, she served as a teaching assistant, sorority president, and member of the Radiation Therapy program curricular board. She also worked part-time at UVM Medical Center. Melissa will begin her career as a radiation therapist at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Clinical Achievement in Radiation Therapy Award

Presented in recognition of outstanding professional attitude and cooperation in the patient care setting.

Clinical Achievement in Radiation Therapy Award 2023 Winner:

• Jasmine Smith was recognized for her professionalism, positive attitude in the clinical setting, and ability to help patients feel at ease. She participated in the Vermont Student Assembly for public health and MEDVIDA, a student hub for community service and social activism. Jasmine is graduating as a first-generation college student from Vermont and will begin her career at Massachusetts General Hospital after graduation.

Scholastic Achievement in Medical Laboratory Science Award

Presented by the UVM Medical Center Department of Pathology to the senior student with the highest grade point average in the Medical Laboratory Science program.

Scholastic Achievement in Medical Laboratory Science Award 2023 Winner:

• Allura Cameron was recognized for her work ethic, team spirit, attention to detail, and dedication to her studies. She has accepted a position as a medical laboratory scientist at Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans, VT.

NH/VT CLMA Scholarship

NH/VT CLMA Scholarship 2023 Winners:

• Savannah Buch was recognized for her compassionate nature, passion for understanding the processes and mechanisms of disease, and desire to help people find answers regarding the cause of their symptoms. 
• Ellie Cheung was honored for her scholarship and leadership in the medical laboratory science program.

Rene C. Lachapelle Award

Rene C. Lachapelle Award Winner:

• Kimberly Buzzell was recognized for her outstanding academic achievement and research involvement. She plans to pursue a career using medical laboratory science training to support at-risk and underserved populations. 

Nursing Department Honors

ANA Vermont Chapter Undergraduate Excellence Award

Presented to a graduating student who, in the opinion of the faculty, best demonstrates outstanding clinical practice.

ANA Vermont Chapter Undergraduate Excellence Award 2023 Winner:

• Abigail Berard was recognized for academic and clinical excellence, high-quality patient care, and the support of her peers. 

ANA Vermont Chapter Graduate Excellence Award

Presented to a graduating student who, in the opinion of the faculty, best demonstrates outstanding clinical practice.

ANA Vermont Chapter Graduate Excellence Award 2023 Winner:

• Leila Ziad was recognized for her inquisitive, engaged nature in the classroom and clinic and her ability to balance time management and holistic primary care and form respectful and compassionate working relationships with her patients. 

Clarissa Peters Allen Award

Presented to an outstanding graduating undergraduate student who exemplifies the conscientious, motivated character of Clarissa Peters Allen.

Clarissa Peters Allen Award 2023 Winner:

• Molly Conklin was honored for her ability to lead with respect, honor, and understanding and for her confidence and kindness.

Faye Crabbe Award

Established to honor the memory of the founder of the School of Nursing at UVM, a leader who valued nursing scholarship and service, and presented to the senior majoring in Nursing who excels in scholarship, nursing ability, and service to the University.

Faye Crabbe Award 2023 Winner:

• Emma DeBole was recognized for her kindness, grace, calming presence, and dedication to the Department of Nursing and the University. She served as a student representative to the baccalaureate nursing committee and undertook multiple initiatives to improve classroom and clinical experiences for UVM students.

UVM Medical Center Award for Excellence in Clinical Nursing Practice

Presented to a master’s-level student who demonstrates innovation in practice in any setting, breakthrough initiatives in patient care or patient education, or care coordination across the continuum.

UVM Medical Center Award for Excellence in Clinical Nursing Practice Award 2023 Winner:

• Natalie Ray was honored for her ongoing commitment to continued learning and for going above and beyond the expected role of a student by investigating options and drawing upon previous professional experiences to provide patients with necessary and thorough information for follow-up evaluation and ongoing care management.

Visiting Nurse Association Ann K. Twitchell Community Health Services Award

Presented to a senior in the baccalaureate program who has shown scholarship and excellence in community health services.

Visiting Nurse Association Ann K. Twitchell Community Health Services Award 2023 Winner:

• Maya Benson-Merron was recognized for her compassion and commitment to involving family members to provide the highest quality, holistic healthcare and consistent patient advocacy. 

UVM Medical Center Undergraduate Excellence in Clinical Nursing Practice Award

Presented to a graduating student who demonstrates outstanding clinical practice.

UVM Medical Center Undergraduate Excellence in Clinical Nursing Practice Award 2023 Winner:

• Kylie Comeau was honored for her calm, compassionate presence and ability to deliver high-quality patient care in any setting. Kylie is recognized as a top student who is always willing to lend a helping hand to a coworker, classmate, staff member or patient.

Department of Nursing Chair's Award

Presented to an outstanding undergraduate student.

Department of Nursing Chair's Award 2023 Winner:

• Maara Singh, who worked as a registered nurse before returning to UVM to earn her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, was honored for exceptional academic achievement and her abilities to learn quickly in the clinical setting and relate well to her patients. 

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Research Honors Distinction

Provides a student who dedicates significant effort to research with the opportunity to write and defend an undergraduate research thesis.

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Research Honors Distinction 2023 Winner:

• Julia Carbone was nominated for her project "Understanding Stakeholders' Perspectives on Autism Research," which explored the views of parents of autistic individuals, many of whom also identified as autistic, to identify research priorities that can inform future directions for autism research.

Rehabilitation and Movement Science Department Honors

Margaret B. Corbin Award

Presented to the third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student who has demonstrated high-quality academic and clinical performance throughout the professional curriculum.

Margaret B. Corbin Award 2023 Winner:

• Ariana Cacciola 

Outstanding Student Achievement in Exercise Science Award

Presented to the senior who exemplifies academic excellence, exceptional leadership, and a solid commitment to the profession of exercise science.

Outstanding Student Achievement in Exercise Science Award 2023 Winner:

• Jackie Palaza was honored for her commitment to research and health promotion. She defended her Honors College thesis on functional movement screening and Army combat fitness in ROTC Army cadets. She developed an exercise program for veterans as an intern with Josh’s House VT, a veteran-designed recreation and wellness space. After graduation, Jackie plans to attend Baylor University's Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Outstanding Future Professional in Exercise Science Award

Presented to a graduating senior student who is viewed by the Exercise Science faculty as a positive role model and who has the leadership qualities and professional potential to impact the field of exercise science significantly.

Outstanding Future Professional in Exercise Science Award 2023 Winner:

• Justin Sweeney was recognized for leadership both in and out of the classroom. He became a Crossfit and certified nutrition coach and started his professional practice as an undergraduate, all while earning a 3.9 GPA. He has supported athletes recovering from injuries, people with disabilities, and individuals struggling with mental health challenges through his practice, which he plans to continue to develop after graduation.

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Honors College Scholars

• Wing Yin Elizabeth Cheung
• Geneva R. Cote
• Lauren Catherine Hempel
• Remy Erin Normand
• Jacqueline M. Palaza
• Abigail E. Palaza