News of the Week

Students, faculty and staff honored during 2021 Leadership Awards Night

Apr 08, 2021

Florida State University students, employees and organizations were recognized during the university’s annual Leadership Awards Night Tuesday, April 6.

Marjorie “Maggie” Fitzsimmons, a senior clinical professions major in the interdisciplinary medical sciences program, received the 2021 President’s Undergraduate Humanitarian of the Year Award. As a person living with epilepsy, Fitzsimmons has devoted hundreds of hours of service to the Epilepsy Foundation of North Florida, the Epilepsy Services Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House. She’s also personally assisted in the Seizure First Aid certification of more than 100 individuals. 

Second-year med students Jimmy Dang and Caneisaya Matthews received Academic Leadership Awards. The award is based on academic performance, university service and other contributions in and out of the classroom. A senior clinical professions major in the interdisciplinary medical sciences program, John "JT" Parker, was also honored with an Academic Leadership Award.

Fellow IMS senior and clinical professions major Isabel Jimenez received a Student Seminole Award, which is given to students who have made special contributions to the university in the areas of leadership and service.

Caitlyn Blake-Hedges, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, also received a Student Seminole Award.

Brandell Theard, another IMS senior and clinical professions major, was selected for The Dean’s Cup, given to students who have demonstrated a strong sense of commitment to the university’s Seminole Creed of truthfulness, respect, excellence, freedom of speech and inquiry, diversity, justice, citizenship and discovery.

Charles Fleischer, assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Rural Health, earned a Faculty/Staff Seminole Award. It’s given to faculty and staff members who demonstrate an exemplary attitude toward students, are enthusiastic about working with students and extend themselves to help students.

The IMS program's Experiential Curriculum Director Marisa Agama was a recipient of the Innovation in Teaching Award, which honors faculty who have invested considerable time and effort into transforming the learning experiences they provide for their students. Agama oversees the IMS experiential curriculum, which includes the IMS seminars and capstone course, and the instructors for each.

Click here to see the full list of winners.