CHS Celebrates Student Awards 2023
By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director
Scott Lephart, PhD and Dean of the College of Health Sciences, looked out over the crowd and smiled.
“Today, we’re honoring the most important people in our College,” he said. “Our students.”
On Thursday, faculty, staff, students, friends and family came out to the Gatton Student Center to celebrate the achievements of the students in the College of Health Sciences.
“As I look around the room, I see the future of the health care profession,” Lephart said. “In more ways than one, you’ve taught us.”
Awards were then given for things like service, ambassadors and academics — and the students themselves were appreciative.
Savannah Jones, 25, will soon become a two-time graduate of the College of Health Sciences (Human Health Sciences and Physician Assistant Studies). She took home the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Service.
“I’m very grateful — and surprised,” she said. “It’s exciting. But in a way, it’s also bittersweet because I’m graduating. There’s such a family environment here in the College, it feels like I just got started.”
Kenta Mizumoto is a 22-year-old first-year Athletic Training graduate student from Japan. He took home the award for Outstanding Graduate Student in Athletic Training.
“It’s really an honor to be recognized for your hard work,” he said. “Of course, I didn’t work hard to win an award — I did it to be a good athletic trainer. But it’s nice when your work is recognized.”
In all, more than 50 students were presented with awards.
“Students, this is your day to celebrate,” said Karen Badger, PhD, MSW, and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Undergraduate Education for the College. “You make us proud. We know, beyond a doubt, that the future of health care is in capable hands.”
Student Awards:
Dean’s Award for Excellence in Service
Gabrielle (Gabby) Imfeld – Physical Therapy
Savannah Jones – Physician Assistant Studies
Marie C. Vittetoe Award for Excellence in Service to the Community
Jasmine Collins – Physician Assistant Studies
Maurice A. Clay Award for Service
Moncerrat (Monce) Bravo – Communication Sciences and Disorders
2022-2023 CHS Student Ambassadors
Casey Carter
Ellery DiVenere
Kaden Fox
Layne Singer
Olivia Crowe
Stephanie Mays
Teja Pidatala
Ella Monroe
Emma Pastirik
Kinsey Gilbert
Monce Bravo
Promise Kayembe
Stone Poole
Ambassador of the Year Award
Emma Pastirik – Human Health Sciences
2022-2023 CHS PATHfinders Peer Mentors
Samantha Lenox
Gabby Tenuta
Bryce Ramey
Payton Foreman
Hope Faulkner
Caroline Easley
Evelyn Anderson
Julia Rhorer
Lindsey Fiori
Natalie Eastone
McKenzie Cox
Claire Gulley
Amelia Mudd
Isabel Zook
Alex Flora
Ashlyn Martin
Emma Smith
Hope Tschosik
Kelly Chism
Mattie Mills
Ryan Goodson
Peer Mentors of the Year Award
Natalie Eastone – Human Health Sciences
Bryce Ramey – Human Health Sciences
Clinical Leadership and Management Academic Award
Madison Middendorf
Clinical Leadership and Management Involvement Award
Katrina Norris
Human Health Sciences Academic Award
Samantha Lenox
Human Health Sciences Involvement Award
Meghan Lyons
Center of Excellence in Rural Health Medical Laboratory Science Faculty Award
Tylan Collins
Medical Laboratory Science Faculty Award
Krista Pytka
Outstanding Graduate Student in Athletic Training
Kenta Mizumoto
Sidney Stephanchick
Outstanding Graduate Student in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Elise Craig
Scarlett Parsley-Hooker Award
Anna-Claire Wright
Physician Assistant Studies Award
Grace Moses – Morehead
Isaiah Wiles – Lexington
Eileen Van Dyke Rural Service Award
Austin Roberts
Physical Therapy Outstanding Student Award
Joseph (Seth) Hagan – Hazard
Briana Lanham – Lexington