Alumni Awards Dinner

2024 awards dinner on April 6

Join us as we CELEBRATE 50 YEARS of creating transformational leaders at the 2024 NEOMED Alumni Association Awards Dinner.

The 50th anniversary logo.Saturday, April 6, 2024
5:30 p.m., Cocktail Reception
6:45 p.m., Dinner
NEW Center Ballroom | NEOMED Campus
4211 St. Rt. 44, Rootstown, OH 44272

$50 per person | Includes cocktail hour, dinner, dessert and coffee | Reserve seats

For additional information, contact Eric Eickhoff at eeickhoff@neomed.edu.

2024 honorees

Joseph A. Congeni, M.D. (’84)

Distinguished Alumni Award

Hannah Hays, M.D. (’08)

Emerging Leader Award

James L. Hill, M.D. (’08)

Emerging Leader Award

Dorothy Jones

Alumni Association Appreciation Award

Johannes “Hans” G. Thewissen, Ph.D.

Distinguished Service Award

Philip W. Westerman, Ph.D.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Joseph Zarconi, M.D. (’81)

Alumni Association Appreciation Award

Joseph A. Congeni, M.D., a 1984 graduate of NEOMED, was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor bestowed by the NEOMED Alumni Association. Dr. Congeni serves as medical director of the Sports Medicine Center at Akron Children’s Hospital. He has dedicated his career to preventing and providing improved care for sports injuries at all levels through his extensive advocacy. Dr. Congeni is also a professor of pediatrics at NEOMED.

Hannah Hays, M.D., a 2008 graduate of NEOMED, earned the Emerging Leader Award for her significant record of accomplishment in the past 15 years. Dr. Hays serves as the medical director for the Central Ohio Poison Center (COPC) and chief of toxicology for Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. In this role, Dr. Hays sets the clinical vision for the COPC and ensures ongoing competency and development of its clinicians.

James L. Hill, M.D., a 2008 graduate of NEOMED, was also recognized with the Emerging Leader Award. Dr. Hill is the COO of the University Hospitals Parma Medical Center, the largest community hospital in the UH network. He provides leadership for the graduate medical education programs, medical staff, caregivers and quality initiatives.

Dorothy Jones, a longtime supporter of NEOMED, was also awarded the NEOMED Alumni Association Appreciation Award. With her encouragement, the Jones family sold their family farm to the state in 1974 for the purpose of building the NEOMED campus. A resident of Ravenna, Mrs. Jones frequently attends NEOMED events and celebrations, including the 50th Anniversary Kickoff.

Johannes “Hans” G. Thewissen, Ph.D., has been honored as the Distinguished Service Award recipient, in recognition of more than 30 years of outstanding service as an educator and researcher. Dr. Thewissen is just one of two faculty members who have received the distinction of University Distinguished Professor. In addition to his outstanding record as an educator, Dr. Thewissen is also one of the world’s most highly-regarded experts in whale evolution.

Philip W. Westerman, Ph.D., has been announced as the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for many contributions dating back to 1976 when he began as a faculty member at NEOMED. Dr. Westerman retired in 2005 as Professor Emeritus, and has remained active as an educator and researcher in a part-time or volunteer role.

Joseph Zarconi, M.D., a 1981 graduate of NEOMED, is a professor of internal medicine at the University and was awarded the NEOMED Alumni Association Appreciation Award for his dedication to his alma mater. Dr. Zarconi has been instrumental in developing connections between alumni and students, including his recent work to populate NEOMED Connect, the University’s online networking platform, with mentors. He was also a featured speaker at the 50th Anniversary Kickoff celebration in 2023 and has been selected to give the eulogy at the memorial service for Robert A. Liebelt, Ph.D., M.D., the first dean of the College of Medicine in March 2024.

Contact Us

David Vitatoe
Senior Director of Alumni Relations
Phone: 330.325.6664
Email: dvitatoe@neomed.edu