The 2026 Alumni Award Winners
Celebrate Three Distinguished Alumni!
Our alumni are active, engaged, demonstrate career excellence, and uplift that Rossie spirit through volunteerism. Annually, the RUSM Alumni Awards recognize the outstanding impact of an exceptional leader, rising professional, and outstanding volunteer. The Office of Alumni Relations is pleased to announce the 2026 RUSM Alumni Award winners!
Alumni Legacy Award Recipient: Zubair A. Hashmi, MD '03
Dr. Zubair A. Hashmi has dedicated his career to advancing cardiothoracic surgery through a rare combination of clinical innovation and transformative education, building fellowship programs at leading institutions nationwide. He has also shaped countless careers, mentoring dozens of residents driven by his philosophy—great surgery begins with great teaching.
Early Distinguished Career Award Recipient: Katie Angelova, MD '16
Just a decade into her career, Dr. Katie Angelova has already earned a directorship at Harlem Hospital, a faculty appointment at Columbia University and the Outstanding Clinical Learning Environment Award from Columbia's Class of 2027 — all while advancing health equity and physician wellness research. In 2025, she founded NOMERGENCY Wellness Coaching making her mark well beyond the clinic.
Alumni Ambassador Award: Daniel Eleyahouzadeh, MD ’23
Dr. Daniel Eleyahouzadeh has been an active presence in the RUSM alumni community since graduation, supporting enrollment events and the Alumni Call Campaign to guide newly accepted students. Now a psychiatrist at St. John's Episcopal Hospital and entering a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship in July 2026, he brings the same authenticity to his clinical work as he does to his RUSM advocacy.
Award recipients were selected by the RUSM Alumni Council and staff.
We are honored to continue our celebration of these distinguished alumni through a series of alumni spotlights. Keep an eye out for upcoming feature stories this summer and fall about each of our Alumni Awards recipients.
Congratulations to all this year’s Alumni Awards recipients.
2026 Alumni Awards
Nominations are closed.
Alumni Awards celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of our graduates.
Awards & Criteria
The Alumni Awards recognize annually the impact of an exceptional leader, a rising professional, and an outstanding ambassador. You may nominate an individual in multiple categories; however, the selection committee reserves the right to grant an award for which the candidate has not been nominated. Self-nominations are welcome.
Award recipients will be selected by the Ross Med Alumni Council. Winners will be announced in May 2026.
Nominations and Eligibility:
- Nominees must be Ross Med graduates.
- Nominees can self-nominate or be nominated by fellow alumni, faculty or staff.
- Nominees may be nominated for multiple awards but can only receive one award.
- The selection committee may award a nominee in a different category than originally nominated.
- Nominees must be positive advocates for Ross Med and agree to share their stories and comments for the promotion of the alumni community and university.
- Nominees must be alumni in good standing.
Award Descriptions & Criteria
This award recognizes the success of an alumnus/a who has made significant contributions to his/her profession and industry while embodying the University's purpose, vision, and values.
Candidates will have:
- Attained professional, societal or communal recognition
- Contributed to the advancement of the medical profession
- Practiced medicine with the utmost character and integrity
- Served as a role model for his/her colleagues
- Engaged as a strong advocate of Ross Med
This award recognizes a recent Ross Med graduate (within the last six years) who has achieved early career success while embodying the University’s purpose, vision, and values.
Candidates will have:
- Graduated from Ross Med within the last 0 - 6 years
- Displayed accelerated career progression and advancement
- Meaningfully contributed to the medical field: clinical, diagnostic, public health, regulatory, and/or military service
- Attained professional, societal, or communal recognition
- Engaged as a strong advocate for Ross Med
The award recognizes the critical role that alumni play in the University’s continued success. We are proud to recognize RUSM ambassadors who give back meaningfully and selflessly.
Candidates will have:
- Supported and advocated on behalf of the University
- Been actively engaged in admissions events, student life, and/or other alumni programming
RUSM Alumni Association
The mission of the RUSM Alumni Association is to support Ross University School of Medicine in realizing its vision to be a premiere institution of academic health programs.
RUSM Alumni Association Scholarship
The RUSM Alumni Scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities, a passion for RUSM and would make great ambassadors for the program following graduation.
Requests and Forms
Find answers to the most common alumni questions, including licensure, transcript requests, diploma reprints, and more!
Alumni Spotlights
Meet Your Alumni Team
Siham Hagos
Alumni Engagement Specialist
Siham serves as the Alumni Engagement Specialist, dedicated to fostering meaningful connections between alumni and RUSM. With a passion for relationship building and community outreach, Siham develops and manages programs that strengthen alumni involvement, support networking opportunities, and enhance lifelong engagement. She helps keep alumni feeling celebrated and engaged with the university and its community.
Update Your Information
Help RUSM and the RUSM Alumni Relations department keep our records current by telling us about any updates to your name, contact or employment information.
Upcoming Events
The RUSM Alumni Association is excited to host a variety of programs and events throughout the year to keep alumni involved and engaged.
RUSM Merch Store
SHOW YOUR #RUSM PRIDE!
Check out our in-stock items!
RUSM Connect
RUSM Connect is a free networking and mentoring platform for alumni to cultivate meaningful connections within the RUSM community. Designed with the schedules of busy working physicians in mind, RUSM Connect gives alumni complete autonomy over their networking and mentoring relationships.
Contact Us
Office of Alumni Relations
10315 USA Today Way,
Miramar, Florida, 33025