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Two Upstate Medical University students honored with Chancellor’s Award

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Upstate Medical University students Jennifer Albert and Elizabeth Dawson have been honored as recipients of the 2009 SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence.

Albert and Dawson are among 238 college students from SUNY campuses to receive the award, presented annually to students who earn a grade point average of 3.77 or higher and who make significant contributions to their campus or local community. The award consists of a framed certificate and a medallion that is traditionally worn at commencement.

“A rigorous three-part process that begins at our campuses evaluates not only each student’s academic, performance, but also his or her service to the community,” said John J. O’Connor, vice chancellor and officer-in-charge for the State University of New York.

“These students are truly the best of the best at SUNY today.”

Albert, of Syracuse, will receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Upstate’s College of Health Professions at Commencement May 17.

Albert has integrated academic demands with other professional and service activities on campus and in the community and has received numerous recognitions for her accomplishments. Included among her leadership roles are class secretary, fundraising and philanthropy chair for Upstate’s Physical Therapy Club, where she also served as team captain for the club’s participation in the 2008 American Heart Association Heart Walk.

Albert developed exercise classes for residents of the Nottingham in Syracuse, and is a certified fitness trainer at the YMCA. She served as an admissions ambassador for Upstate. She is the recipient of the World Physical Therapy President’s Award and the New York Physical Therapy Association Award.

Dawson, of Mexico, N.Y., who will receive a Doctor of Medicine degree from Upstate’s College of Medicine at Commencement May 17.

She coordinated an American Medical Student Association/Achieving Diversity in Dentistry and Medicine leadership training program and researched and developed many cultural competency and global health educational initiatives that are now part of Upstate’s curriculum.

Dawson initiated the development of the campus’ medical Spanish program and co-founded the E. Gregory Keating Global Health Lecture series. Due to her efforts, Upstate established the Office of Community Outreach and Global Health Education.

She serves as the exchange coordinator and president of the local chapter of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Association (IFMSA) where she oversees and organizes international exchange programs with both incoming and outgoing students to other student-run IFMSA chapters around the globe. Dawson has received numerous awards and scholarships, including the Gold Humanism Award and the Betty and Jacob Reiss Family Endowed Scholarship.