Faculty & Staff Awards

At California Northstate University College of Medicine, we believe in recognizing and celebrating the outstanding contributions of our faculty and staff. These awards honor individuals who exemplify excellence in academics, research, mentorship, service, leadership, and innovation. Through this recognition, we highlight the dedication and passion that drive our university forward and inspire our community every day.

Faculty Awards

Honoring faculty who excel in teaching, research, mentorship, innovation, and service to the CNU community and beyond.

Nomination Guidelines: Nominations may be submitted by a faculty member or through self-nomination.

Nomination Forms:
  • Basic Science Researcher of the Year
    Award Recipient: Eslam Mohamed, PhD
    This award recognizes a faculty member who has made outstanding contributions to basic science research in the medical school setting. The recipient is honored for their innovation, scholarly excellence, and impactful discoveries that advance scientific knowledge.
  • Physician Researcher of the Year
    Award Recipient: For-Shing Lui, MD, MRCP(UK), FRCP(Edinburg)
    This award honors a physician faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional achievement in clinical or translational research. The recipient is recognized for their significant contributions to advancing medical knowledge, improving patient care, and bridging the gap between research and clinical practice. Their work reflects a strong commitment to scientific inquiry, academic excellence, and the integration of research into the practice of medicine.
  • Faculty Mentor of the Year
    2025 Award Recipient: Carol Lynne Concrad-Forrest, MD
    This award honors a faculty member who has shown exceptional dedication to mentoring their colleagues in both professional and academic development. Nominated by fellow faculty, the recipient is recognized for offering meaningful guidance, support, and inspiration while fostering growth in teaching, research, clinical care, and leadership. Their commitment to creating a collaborative and supportive academic environment has left a lasting impact on the success and well-being of their peers.
  • Community Engagement and Service Award
    2025 Award Recipient: Islam Mohamed, B. Pharm, MS, PhD
    This award honors a faculty member who has demonstrated a deep and sustained commitment to community engagement and service. The recipient is recognized for their meaningful contributions to improving the health and well-being of local, regional, or global communities through outreach, advocacy, education, or partnership-building. Their work exemplifies the mission of academic medicine to serve society and reflects a strong dedication to social responsibility and community impact.
  • Innovative Faculty Award
    2025 Award Recipient: Ted Hoehn, MD, FACEP
    This award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional creativity and innovation in medical education, research, clinical practice, or community engagement. The recipient is honored for developing novel approaches, technologies, or programs that enhance learning, advance healthcare, or improve institutional effectiveness. Their forward-thinking contributions embody the spirit of innovation and inspire progress within academic medicine.
  • MVP Award
    2025 Award Recipient: Rajendra Ramsamooj, MD
    The Faculty MVP (Most Valuable Professional) Award honors a medical school faculty member who exemplifies extraordinary dedication, versatility, and impact across multiple domains of academic medicine. This individual consistently goes above and beyond in service to students, colleagues, and the institution, embodying the spirit of collaboration, excellence, and reliability. Whether through exceptional teaching, innovative research, clinical leadership, or institutional service, the Faculty MVP is someone whose contributions are indispensable and whose presence elevates the entire community. This award celebrates the faculty member who can always be counted on to lead, support, and deliver—making a measurable difference every day.
Staff Awards

Recognizing staff whose professionalism, initiative, and behind-the-scenes impact strengthen our university’s daily operations and long-term success.

Nomination Guidelines: Nominations may be submitted by a faculty member, a staff member, or through self-nomination.

Nomination Forms:
  • Staff Service and Dedication Award
    2025 Award Recipient: Flichard Delosreyes, BA
    The Staff Service and Dedication Award honors a staff member whose exceptional service and dedication have made a lasting impact on the medical school community. Recipients consistently go above and beyond, showing professionalism, compassion, and strong commitment to academic medicine. Whether supporting students, faculty, or operations, they are reliable, resourceful, and respected, embodying integrity, teamwork, and excellence.
  • Staff Rising Star Award
    2025 Award Recipient: Sienna Benton, MFA
    The Staff Rising Star Award honors an emerging leader among the College of Medicine's staff who has demonstrated exceptional promise, initiative, and impact early in their career. This award recognizes a staff member who consistently exceeds expectations, embraces challenges with enthusiasm, and contributes fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to their team and the broader college community.
Student-Nominated Awards

Presented by CNUCOM students, these awards celebrate faculty and staff members who have gone above and beyond in inspiring, supporting, and educating the next generation of physicians.

Class of 2025
  • Clerkship Director of the Year for the Class of 2025
    Eldo Frezza, MD, MBA, FACS
  • Physicianship Award for the Class of 2025
    Forshing Lui, MD, MRCP, FRCP
  • Physicianship Award for the Class of 2025
    Sarah Preiss-Farzanegan, MD, FAAPMR
  • Physicianship Award for the Class of 2025
    Jennifer Gullo, MD
  • Clerkship Staff Member of the Year for the Class of 2025
    Flichard Delosreyes
  • Golden Apple Award for the Class of 2025
    Jennifer Gullo, MD
Class of 2026
  • Physicianship Award for the Class of 2026
    Forshing Lui, MD, MRCP, FRCP
  • Clerkship Staff Member of the Year for the Class of 2026
    Wesly Tse
  • Golden Apple Award for the Class of 2026
    David Yee, MD, MPH
Class of 2027
  • Professor of the Year for the Class of 2027
    Sailabala Vanguri, MBBS, MD
  • Physicianship Award for the Class of 2027
    David Pai, MD, FASN
  • Physicianship Award for the Class of 2027
    John Cusick, PhD
  • Physicianship Award for the Class of 2027
    Sarah Preiss-Farzanegan, MD, FAAPMR
  • Physicianship Award for the Class of 2027
    Raj Ramsamooj, MD
  • Medical Skills Preceptor of the Year for the Class of 2027
    Mark Sheffield, MD, PhD
  • Staff Member of the Year for the Class of 2027
    Susan Thao
  • Best Faculty Duo for the Class of 2027
    Mark Sheffield, MD, PhD & Floyd Culler, MD
Class of 2028
  • Professor of the Year for the Class of 2028
    David Pai, MD, FASN
  • Physicianship Award for the Class of 2028
    Dana Weisshaar, MD, FACC
  • Medical Skills Preceptor of the Year for the Class of 2028
    Andrew Pollock, MD
  • Staff Member of the Year for the Class of 2028
    Logan Rodgers
  • Best Faculty Duo for the Class of 2028
    David Pai, MD & Sarah Preiss-Farzanegan, MD
  • Best Faculty Duo for the Class of 2028
    John Cusick, PhD & Valerie Gerriets, PhD