The Distinguished Alumnus Award recognizes an alumnus who has made significant contributions to society, and whose accomplishments, affiliations and career exemplifies the School of Medicine’s legacy of excellence.
1987 George P. Bunch, MD ’68
1988
1989 Drew Gaffney, MD ’72
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994 Michael H. Trujillo, MD ’74
1995 J. William Benge, MD ’74
1996 Paul B. Roth, MD ‘HS’
1997
1998 Frank C. Cooper, MD ‘HS’
1999
2000 Donald E. Rodgers, MD ’68
2001 Allan L. Haynes, MD ’73
2002 Cristina V. Beato, MD ’84
2003 Gary D. Overturf, MD ’69
2004 Jane W. McGrath, MD ’87
2005 Diane J. Klepper, MD ‘HS’
2006 Mario F. Pacheco, MD ’86
2007 Wilmer L. Sibbitt, Jr., MD ’77
2008 Margot H. Green, MD `68 Kathleen S. Kagan, MD ’68
2009 Michael E. Kilpatrick, MD ’69
2010 Robert F. Melendez , MD ’00
2011 Ernest T. Takafuji, MD ’71
2012 Karen S. Guice, MD ‘77
2013- 2020
2021 Melissa Mason, MD '94; Steven Komadina, MD '70
2022 Jennifer Phillips, MD '01; Timothy Hurley, MD '86
* We are currently trying to establish a complete list of past winners. If you, or someone you know, have received this award and are not on the list, please call Ashley Salazar 505-410-5589 or send an e-mail to asmsalazar@@salud.unm.edu. Thank You.
This award recognizes an alumnus who has built strong public and private partnerships while advocating for the School of Medicine through innovation and commitment to education.
2013 Catherine McClain, MD '88
2015 Valerie Romero-Leggott, MD '92
2014 Albert Kwan, MD '83
2016 Karen Armitage, MD '81
2017 Nancy Joste, MD, '89
2018 Daniel Derksen, MD, Former House Staff '87
2019 Erika Garcia, MD '08
2020 Paul B Roth, MD, Former House Staff '78
2021 Robert F. Melendez, MD, '00
2022 Dion Gallant, MD, '99
Visionary Site of the Year, established in 2017, is an award that recognizes a New Mexico health system(s) that embodies the mission of the UNM School of Medicine in their dedication to education, creating a diverse network of health care professionals and providing compassionate care to all New Mexicans.
2017 Presbyterian Healthcare Services
2017 Southern New Mexico Family Medicine Residency Program
2018 First Choice Community Healthcare
2018 Piñon Family Practice
2019 La Familia Medical Center
2019 Presbyterian Medical Services
2020 New Mexico Department of Health
2020 Protect NM in collaboration with Little Sisters of the Poor, Gallup
2020 New Mexico Medical Society
2021 Presbyterian Hospital Española
2022 UNM Family and Community Medicine Department in honor of the Departments' 50th Anniversary
In celebration of over 15 years of graduates from the MD/PhD program, this innaugural award recognizes and honors an exceptional physician scientist with contributions to research, education, and clinical service that improve health in New Mexico and beyond.