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BIDDEFORD, Maine

Lessons in humanism: Award-winning ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ medical students learn from leader in geriatrics

Patrick Kurpaska was awarded the first place ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ COM Humanism in Aging Action Award
First year ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ College of Osteopathic Medicine student Patrick Kurpaska was awarded the first place ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ COM Humanism in Aging Action Award

Each year, the American Geriatrics Society and ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ College of Osteopathic Medicine Student Chapter recognize a prominent geriatrician who exemplifies humanism and innovation in his or her approach to improving the lives of older adults.

Richard G. Stefanacci, D.O., MGH, M.B.A., AGSF, CMD of the Jefferson College of Population Health at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was presented with this year’s Humanism in Aging Leadership Award.

ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ COM students were invited to attend Stefanacci’s award lecture. After the lecture, they were asked to submit an action plan that explains how they will apply what they learned in their future practices. Stefanacci chose four students to receive the ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ COM Humanism in Aging Action Award:

First Place – Patrick Kurpaska (ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ COM ’19)

Second Place – Emily Szuba (ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ COM ’20)

Third Place – Tiffany Cheung (ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ COM ’19)

Honorable Mention  - Annie Liu (ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ COM ’19)

β€œBoth the Humanism in Aging Leadership Award and Student Action Award exemplify one of the many ways the ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ College of Osteopathic Medicine is committed to innovative educational opportunities for students in the respectful care of older adults,” said Marilyn Gugliucci, Ph.D., ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ COM professor and director of geriatrics.

To learn more about the ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, visit

To apply, visit 

Emily Szuba was awarded second place
Emily Szuba was awarded second place
Tiffany Cheung received the third place award
Tiffany Cheung received the third place award
Annie Liu received an honorable mention
Annie Liu received an honorable mention

About the ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ

The ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.