Alumni Gold Medal Awards Recognize Excellence Across Medicine and Research

At the 2026 VP&S Alumni Reunion, alumni, faculty, and guests gathered in New York City to celebrate a distinguished group of physicians, scientists, educators, and leaders whose work has transformed medicine, research, global health, and the alumni community.

Presented annually by the VP&S Alumni Association, the Alumni Gold Medals and affiliated honors recognize extraordinary achievement across clinical care, biomedical research, public service, alumni leadership, and advocacy. This year’s honorees reflect the breadth of impact of the VP&S community—from pioneering biotechnology and adolescent medicine to global surgical care and decades of alumni engagement.

This year’s honorees included:

• Amit Etkin '06, recipient of the Transformational Research Award, recognized for advancing the neuroscience of mental health and developing new approaches to precision psychiatry.
• Valerie Ulene '91 and David Skaggs '89, recipients of the Gold Medal for Meritorious Service to VP&S and its Alumni Association, honored for their longstanding dedication to strengthening the West Coast alumni community.
• Michael Curci '67, recipient of the Gold Medal for Excellence in Clinical Medicine, recognized for decades of pediatric surgical leadership and global humanitarian service in Haiti, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
• Jonathan Licht '82, recipient of the Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievements in Medical Research, honored for transformative contributions to cancer biology, epigenetics, and physician-scientist leadership.
• George Yancopoulos '87, recipient of the Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievements in Medical Research, recognized for pioneering work in biotechnology and the development of numerous life-changing therapies through Regeneron.
• Angela Diaz '81, recipient of the Virginia Kneeland Frantz 1922 Award for Distinguished Women in Medicine, honored for her groundbreaking leadership in adolescent medicine, public health, and health equity.

The Virginia Kneeland Frantz Award honors the legacy of Dr. Virginia Kneeland Frantz, Class of 1922, a pioneering surgical pathologist whose scientific and clinical contributions helped shape the modern understanding of thyroid and pancreatic disease while advancing opportunities for women in medicine.

Together, the 2026 honorees represent the enduring impact of the VP&S alumni community across generations and disciplines, embodying a shared commitment to scientific discovery, compassionate care, mentorship, and service.

Learn more about the VP&S Alumni Association’s annual awards program and consider nominating yourself or a fellow alum for future recognition.