Izzy Nottolini found it difficult to select one favorite memory during his past four years at UCF’s College of Medicine. He spoke of all the people who had accompanied him on the academic and clinical journey to become a physician.
“I remember one day we were just beat after an exam and we came out onto the green and laid out together for hours,” said Nottolini, who will do his residency training in internal and pediatric medicine at UCLA Medical Center. “I honestly think we even fell asleep, it was just so peaceful.”
On a balmy day much like the one he and his classmates enjoyed, the class of 2026 gathered one last time before graduation at Class Day May 1 for a celebration and recognition ceremony. Nottolini, who was voted by his peers as the student they would trust most care for a family member, said his highest honor was being able to learn and grow with his classmates.
“I’m so thankful to be a part of this class,” he said. “It’s really my classmates who have made me better.”
Sanjan Kumar, who was one of seven students who maintained straight A’s throughout med school, said his classmates helped him gain new perspectives, molding him into a better physician.
“I think one of the best parts about medical school is you get all these people together who have different backgrounds,” said Kumar, who will train in general surgery at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell in New York. “It allows you to really pull from everyone’s different experiences and really grow yourself as a person. That’s part of what makes it so special.”
Adithi Tirumalai and Sharon Toor met four years ago when they were attending a “second-look” event for applicants to solidify their decision to choose UCF for med school.
They maintained their friendship and on Class Day, they opened together the letters they had written to themselves after their White Coat Ceremony on the first day of medical school. UCF’s tradition is to have first-year students write a “note to self” that is kept and returned to them four years later as they prepare to graduate.
Toor, Tirumalai and classmate Ariana Johnson became emotional after reading their notes and embraced.
“It’s not just about one moment, it’s about everything coming full circle from our M1 year to now at M4,” said Tirumalai, who will do her physical medicine residency at Stanford.
She says that although she would describe herself as reserved, UCF helped her step out of her shell by exposing her to a variety of groups and mentorships.
The friendships helped students grow closer, and in turn, deepen the compassion needed to care for patients, said Toor, who will head to New York to train in internal medicine and anesthesiology.
“I want to be able to make my patients feel comfortable and safe with me,” she said. “If they’re having a bad or scary day, I want them to leave knowing that someone is caring for and supporting them.”
Dr. Deborah German, vice president for health affairs and founding dean, thanked the class for helping create an innovative medical school in a Medical City just minutes from one of the world’s most visited airports.
“You set the bar high for those who will follow you in the classroom, the laboratory, the clinic and the community,” she said. “This is the moment that we have all been working towards. Your graduation represents your transformation from novice learners into young physicians who we eagerly welcome as our colleagues.”
The Class Day celebration included additional recognition for exceptional student efforts. Here are the 2026 honorees:
- Dean’s Award — Rachel Chapman
- Hippocratic Oath Award — Dr. Marcy Verduin
- Outstanding Senior in Internal Medicine — Daniela Velez Velez
- Outstanding Senior in Family Medicine — Taryn Posche
- Outstanding Senior in Neurology — Rees Rideout, Brandon Molligoda
- Outstanding Senior in Obstetrics and Gynecology — Ariana Johnson
- Outstanding Senior in Pediatrics — Sanjan Kumar
- Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Award — Isadore Nottolini
- Outstanding Senior in Psychiatry — Preethashree Anbukkarsu, Ana Carrazana Yero
- Outstanding Senior in Surgery — Avaneesh Kunta
- Academic Excellence Award
- Rachel Chapman
- Michael Chuvanjyan
- Katherine Cohen
- Erin Formanski
- Ariana Johnson
- Sanjan Kumar
- Sharon Toor
- Merck Manual Award – Rachel Chapman, Katherine Cohen and Ariana Johnson
- Faculty Choice Award — Daniela Velez Velez
- Student Choice award — Isadore Nottolini
- Osler Award — Lillie Jensen
- Service and Humanity in Medicine Award — Isabella Castellano, Rachel Chapman
- Distinguished Community Service Award — Anna Wanzenberg
- Community Health Excellence Award — Allen Partono