Each year, the alumni community recognizes distinguished graduates for their significant contributions to the advancement of medicine, biomedical science, and medical and graduate education through the Alumni Awards. Additionally, the Alumni Association honors a non-alumni Einstein faculty member whose contributions to education exemplify similar excellence and influence. Honorees are recognized annually at Commencement, and awards are presented during Alumni Day celebrations.
Dominick P. Purpura Lifetime Achievement Award* recognizes outstanding achievements in clinical medicine and/or biomedical research, or a professional career dedicated to humanitarian achievements.
Distinguished PhD Alum Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments in biomedical science, biotechnology, and/or professional leadership in advancing biomedical research for the benefit of humankind.
Distinguished Alum Clinical Medicine Award* recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to their fields through the practice of medicine, clinical exploration, education, and/or mentorship.
Distinguished Alum Humanitarian/Service Award* recognizes Einstein alumni who have attained distinction in their fields and who have made major contributions to the health and welfare of communities in need.
Distinguished Alum Einstein Service Award* acknowledges Einstein alumni members who have demonstrated exemplary service and dedication to the Einstein community through their volunteer efforts.
Einstein Honorary Alum Award recognizes distinguished members of the faculty who have made a profound, positive impact on the College of Medicine, and who exemplify the attributes for which Einstein is renowned—caring and humanity, concern for the individual and an abiding commitment to serve the students of the medical school.
Rising Star - Clinical Practitioner Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a physician member who is within 15 years of graduating Einstein and who is currently not a resident or fellow. Areas of achievement may include leadership, academics, clinical care, publishing, teaching, mentoring, and/or volunteerism.
Rising Star - Scientific Investigator Award recognizes a graduate of Einstein's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences who has been recognized as an outstanding investigator in the early career stage with accomplishments in the field of biomedical research.
*In 2024, the following modifications have been approved by the Board of Governors in an effort to distinguish each award and to align the titles with the descriptions.
- The Dominick P. Purpura Distinguished Alumnus/a/Award has been modified to the Dominick P. Purpura Lifetime Achievement Award
- The Lifetime Achievement Award has been modified to the Distinguished Alum Humanitarian/Service Award
- The Lifetime Service Award has been modified to the Distinguished Alum Einstein Service Award
- The Distinguished Alum Clinical Practitioner Award has been modified to the Distinguished Alum Clinical Medicine Award
Nomination Criteria
*Nominations for 2026 are closed, but please continue to submit nominations to be considered for 2027*
All alumni are invited to nominate fellow alumni for each of the awards*. In order for the Alumni Association to consider your nomination, the following supporting materials are required for each submission:
- The candidate's name, degree, class year, and specialty or area of research
- The award for which the person is being nominated
- A letter of recommendation
- The nominee's CV
Please check past awardees below before submitting your nominations. Past awardees will not be considered for additional awards.
*Einstein faculty and students are also invited to submit nominations for the Einstein Honorary Alumni Award. Nominees must be former or current Einstein faculty who are not Einstein graduates.
Award Categories and Past Awardees
Recognizes an alumnus / alumna with outstanding achievements in clinical medicine, biomedical research, and / or humanitarian achievements.
Past Awards
- 2025 Lynda Chin, M.D. '93
- 2024 Esther Eisenberg, MD '76
Recognizes an alumnus / alumna with outstanding accomplishments in biomedical science, biotechnology, and / or biomedical research for the benefit of humankind.
Past Awards
- 2025 Roger Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D. '00
- 2024 Jayanta Chaudhuri, PhD '97
- 2023 John J. Foxe, M.S. '96, Ph.D. '99
- 2022 Ruth J. Muschel, M.D., Ph.D. '78
- 2021 Mary O'Connell, Ph.D. '87
- 2020 Daniel E. Morse, Ph.D. '67
- 2019 Kathryn Stein, Ph.D. '76
- 2017 Sankar Ghosh, Ph.D.'88
- 2016 Sue Wickner, Ph.D.'74
- 2015 Toby Tucker Hecht, Ph.D. '73
- 2014 Danny Reinberg, Ph.D. '82
- 2013 Nita J. Maihle, Ph.D. '83
- 2012 Roy S. Wu, Ph.D. '72
- 2011 Charles S. Peskin, Ph.D. '72
- 2010 Lucy Shapiro, Ph.D. '66
- 2009 Carl Franzblau, Ph.D. '62
- 2008 S. Lawrence Zipursky, Ph.D. '81
- 2007 Joan Heller Brown, Ph.D. '73
Recognizes an alumnus / alumna who has made significant contributions to their local communities through their work as medical practitioners.
Past Awards
- 2025 Michael Zelefsky, M.D. '86
- 2024 Jack Stern, MD, PhD '74
Recognizes an alumnus / alumna who has attained distinction in their field and who has made major contributions to the health and welfare of communities in need.
Past Awards
- 2025 Morris Hartstein, M.D. '90
- 2024 Harold Pincus, MD '75
Recognizes an alumnus / alumna who has demonstrated exemplary service and dedication to Albert Einstein College of Medicine community through their volunteer efforts.
Past Awards
- 2025 Ira Leviton, M.D. '84
- 2024 Irene Blanco, MD '04, MS '10
Recognizes a non-alumni member of the faculty who has made a profound impact on Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and who exemplifies the values of humanity and compassion through their abiding commitment to best serve our students.
Past Awards
- 2025 Amarilys Cortijo, M.D.
- 2024 Miriam Schechter, MD
- 2023 Nilda I. Soto, MS. Ed.
- 2022 E. John Gallagher, M.D.
- 2021 Robert Bases, M.D.
- 2020 Penny Steiner Grossman, Ed.D.
- 2019 Harry Shamoon, M.D.
- 2018 Allen Spiegel, M.D.
- 2016 Stephen G. Baum, M.D.
- 2015 Joshua Nosanchuk, M.D.
- 2014 Gerald A. Paccione, Jr., M.D.
- 2013 Robert D. Burk, M.D.
- 2012 Alfred J. Spiro, M.D.
- 2012 Cedric Stuart Raine, M.D.
- 2011 Lawrence Brandt, M.D.
- 2010 Howard Steinman, Ph.D.
- 2009 Todd R. Olson, Ph.D.
- 2008 Susan M. Coupey, M.D.
- 2007 Irwin Merkatz, M.D.
- 2006 Richard Hays, M.D.*
- 2005 Alvin H. Strelnick, M.D.
- 2004 Betty A. Diamond, M.D.
- 2003 Susan B. Horwitz, Ph.D.
- 2002 Matthew D. Scharff, M.D.
- 2001 Katherine S. Lobach, M.D.
- 2000 Isabelle Rapin, M.D.*
- 1999 Irving London, M.D.*
- 1998 Scott Boley, M.D.
- 1997 Edward Yellin, Ph.D.
- 1996 Herbert Schaumburg, M.D.
- 1995 Michael I. Cohen, M.D.
- 1994 Albert S. Kuperman, Ph.D.
- 1993 William H. Frishman, M.D.
- 1992 Martin N. Cohen, M.D.
- 1991 Marshall S. Horwitz, M.D., Ph.D.*
- 1990 Robert A. Shimm, M.D.*
- 1989 Jean L. Cook, M.D.*
- 1982 Dominick P. Purpura, M.D.
- 1981 Milton Elkin, M.D.
- 1980 Milford Fulop, M.D.*
- 1979 Ephraim Friedman, M.D.*
- 1978 M. Henry Williams, Jr., M.D.*
- 1977 Sam Seifter, M.D.*
- 1976 Harry Eagle, M.D. *
- 1975 Ernst Jaffe, M.D.*
- 1974 Arthur S. Abramson, M.D. *
- 1973 Berta V. Scharrer, Ph.D. *
- 1972 Alfred Gilman, M.D., Ph.D.*
- 1971 Joseph J. Smith, M.D*
- 1970 Lewis M. Fraad, M.D. *
- 1969 Abraham White, M.D. *
- 1968 Alfred A. Angrist, M.D. *
- 1967 Marcus D. Kogel, M.D. *
- 1966 Leo M. Davidoff, M.D. *
Recognizes outstanding achievement by a physician who is within 15 years of graduating from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and who is currently not a resident or fellow. Areas of achievement may include leadership, academics, clinical care, including but not limited to publishing, teaching, and mentoring; and/or volunteerism.
Past Awards
- 2025 Lauren Roth, M.D. '16
- 2024 David Gross, MD, PhD '14
- 2023 Jennifer K. Eng-Kulawy, M.D. '10
- 2022 Adam J. Friedman, M.D. '06
- 2021 Utibe Essien, M.D., M.P.H. '13
Recognizes a graduate of Albert Einstein College of Medicine's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences who has been recognized as an outstanding investigator in the early career stage with accomplishments in the field of biomedical research.
Past Awards
- 2025 Ayana Jordan, M.D., Ph.D. '11
- 2024 Michelle Antoine, PhD '13
- 2023 Evanthia T. Roussos Torres, M.D., Ph.D. '12
- 2022 Dionna W. Williams, Ph.D. '14
- 2021 Opeyemi Olabisi, M.D., Ph.D. '09
Prior Awards
Recognizes outstanding achievements in clinical medicine and/or biomedical research, or a professional career dedicated to humanitarian achievements.
Past Awards
- 2023 Elizabeth M. McNally, M.D., Ph.D. '90
- 2022 Anne E. Goldfeld, M.D. '81
- 2021 Stewart Shuman, M.D., Ph.D. '83
- 2020 Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D. '78
- 2019 Gerald Appel, M.D. '72
- 2018 Robert W. Finberg, M.D. '74
- 2017 Josh Miller, M.D.'61
- 2016 Alfredo Arrigo Sadun, M.D.'78, Ph.D.'78
- 2015 Joseph D. Bloom, M.D.'62
- 2014 Phillip Frost, M.D. '61
- 2013 Gerald Dorros, M.D. '68
- 2012 Evelyne Albrecht Schwaber, M.D. '59
- 2012 David H. Abramson, M.D. '69
- 2011 Mark A. Hardy, M.D. '62
- 2010 Herbert Tanowitz, M.D. '67*
- 2009 Robert Ritch, M.D. '72
- 2008 Mark Mehler, M.D. '80
- 2007 Jay A. Berzofsky, M.D. '73, Ph.D. '73
- 2006 Donald P. Kotler, M.D. '73
- 2005 Rudolph Leibel, M.D. '67
- 2004 Ronald A. DePinho, M.D. '81
- 2003 Lois B. Jovanovic, M.D. '73
- 2002 Robert Stanley Sherwin, M.D.'67
- 2001 Peter Rotwein, M.D. '75
- 2000 Raymond V. Damadian, M.D. '60
- 1999 Barbara Barlow, M.D. '67
- 1998 Stephen M. Factor, M.D. '68
- 1997 Lewis B. Sheiner, M.D. '64*
- 1996 Stanford M. Goldman, M.D. '65
- 1995 Sally Shaywitz, M.D. '66
- 1994 Florence P. Haseltine, M.D. '72
- 1993 The Hon. Howard B. Dean, M.D.'78
- 1992 Laurence J. Marton, M.D. '69
- 1991 Stephen G. Waxman, M.D. '72
- 1990 Melvin M. Scheinman, M.D. '60
- 1989 Louis Lemberger, M.D. '68
- 1988 H. Ronald Kaback, M.D. '62
- 1987 Samuel C. Silverstein, M.D. '63
- 1986 Jesse Roth, M.D. '59
Recognizes Einstein alumni who have attained distinction in their fields and who have made major contributions to the health and welfare of underserved communities.
Past Awards
- 2023 David Siegel, M.D. '73, M.P.H.
- 2023 Yvette H. Calderon, M.D. '90
- 2022 Jerry A. Winkelstein, M.D. '65
- 2021 Joyce Lowinson, M.D. '62
- 2020 Walter A. Orenstein, M.D. '72
- 2019 Harriette Rosen Mogul, M.D. '65 M.P.H
- 2018 Julie R. Ingelfinger, M.D. '68
- 2017 Liise-anne Pirofski, M.D.'82
- 2016 Neal Flomenbaum, M.D.'73
- 2015 Ruth E.K. Stein, M.D. '66
- 2014 Steven M. Safyer, M.D. '82
- 2013 Samuel S. Kessel, M.D. '74, M.P.H.
- 2012 Carl Grunfeld, M.D. '75, Ph.D. '75
- 2011 Marvin Kirschner, M.D. '59
- 2011 Louis M. Aledort, M.D. '59
- 2010 Sten H. Vermund, M.D., '77
- 2010 Lynne Meryl Mofenson, M.D., '77
- 2009 Alan Fleischman, M.D. '70
- 2008 Arthur Eidelman, M.D. '63
- 2007 Fred Rosner, M.D. '59
- 2006 Michael Harris, M.D. '69
- 2005 Joel Gernsheimer, M.D. '73
- 2004 Sylvia M. Ramos, M.D. '74
- 2003 Valiere Alcena, M.D. '73
- 2002 Stephen Atwood, M.D. '72
Acknowledges Einstein alumni members who have demonstrated exemplary service and dedication to Albert Einstein College of Medicine community through their volunteer efforts.
Past Awards
- 2023 Marjorie Werner Stein, M.D. '85
- 2022 Janina R. Galler, M.D. '72
- 2021 Miriam Tasini, M.D. '71
- 2020 Bruce A. Soloway, M.D. '85
- 2019 Elizabeth Stoner, M.D. '77, M.S.
- 2018 Arthur Kozin, M.D. '82
- 2017 Martha Grayson, M.D.'79
- 2016 Harris Goldstein, M.D.'80
- 2015 Michael J. Reichgott, M.D. '65, Ph.D.
- 2014 Evelyn Gruss Lipper, M.D. '71
- 2013 Farshad J. Nosratian, M.D. '83
- 2012 Ronald J. Ross, M.D. '60
- 2011 Stephen Lazar, Ed.D.
- 2011 Kenneth Schiffer, M.D. '61
- 2010 Noreen Kerrigan, M.P.A.
- 2010 Henry Pritzker M.D., '60
- 2010 Mervyn Goldstein, M.D. '60
- 2010 Robert Bernstein, M.D., '60
- 2009 Peter Barland, M.D. '59
- 2008 Edward R. Burns, M.D. '76
- 2007 Robert Marion, M.D. '79
- 2006 Melvin Zelefsky, M.D. '60
- 2006 Ruth Freeman, M.D. '60
- 2001 Irwin Dannis, M.D. '60
Recognizes an alumnus / alumna who has made significant contributions to their local communities through their work as medical practitioners.
Past Awards
- 2023 Theresa M. Maresca, M.D. '84
- 2022 Nereida C. Correa, M.D. '85
- 2021 Lauri Markowitz, M.D. '80
- 2020 Miriam Levy, M.D. '79
- 2019 David Hirsh, M.D. '63
- 2018 Mitchell J. Schwaber, M.D. '91
- 2017 Chaim Charytan, M.D. '64
- 2016 Gail Solomon, M.D. '62
- 2015 Hasan Bazari, M.D. '83
- 2014 Robert Lewis, M.D. '60
- 2013 Steven Mandel, M.D. '75
- 2010 Herbert Tanowitz, M.D. '67
- 2009 Robert Ritch, M.D. '72
- 2008 S. Lawrence Zipursky, Ph.D. '81
- 2008 Mark Mehler, M.D. '80
- 2007 Jay A. Berzofsky, M.D., Ph.D. '73
- 2007 Joan Heller Brown, Ph.D. '73
- 2006 Donald P. Kotler, M.D. '73
- 2005 Rudolph Leibel, M.D. '67
- 2004 Ronald A. DePinho, M.D. '81
- 2003 Lois B. Jovanovic, M.D. '73
- 2002 Robert Stanley Sherwin, M.D.'67
- 2001 Peter Rotwein, M.D. '75
- 2000 Raymond V. Damadian, M.D. '60
- 1999 Barbara Barlow, M.D. '67
- 1998 Stephen M. Factor, M.D. '68
- 1997 Lewis B. Sheiner, M.D. '64
- 1996 Stanford M. Goldman, M.D. '65
- 1995 Sally Shaywitz, M.D. '66
- 1994 Florence P. Haseltine, M.D. '72
- 1993 The Hon. Howard B. Dean, M.D.'78
- 1992 Laurence J. Marton, M.D. '69
- 1991 Stephen G. Waxman, M.D. '72
- 1990 Melvin M. Scheinman, M.D. '60
- 1989 Louis Lemberger, M.D. '68
- 1988 H. Ronald Kaback, M.D. '62
- 1987 Samuel C. Silverstein, M.D. '63
- 1986 Jesse Roth, M.D. '59
