The University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center School of Health Professions honored two O&P students with awards recognizing outstanding students for their talents and service. Thirteen students, including the O&P students, were given awards for service, leadership, research, clinical skills, and overall excellence.
The John Schermerhorn, MD, Student Service Award: Gabi Griffith
Griffith earned her Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics (MSPO) degree in 2022 after an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering. She was the class president for the MSPO program, and has done extensive volunteer work with adaptive sports, including with organizations that provide adaptive rock-climbing activities for children with cognitive difficulties or physical disabilities. 
She will complete her orthotics residency at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and hopes to follow that with a residency in prosthetics and certification in both disciplines.
The award is named for Schermerhorn, who served as dean of the School of Health Professions from 1971 to 1986, and it is presented to students who have made outstanding contributions in service activities related to their profession.
Rising Star Award: Martin Ortuno
Ortuno earned his MSPO degree in 2022 and a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2020. He spent four years in the US Army before college.
Ortuno volunteered in community outreach events showcasing the work done at the UT Southwestern Medical Center and was a member of the School of Health Professions Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee. 
After graduating this month, Ortuno plans to work at a clinic in Virginia, assisting patients who have scoliosis. He is also interested in working with prostheses that are controlled by electrical impulses from muscles.
The Rising Star Award is awarded to a student deemed to have shown overall excellence.
