School of Health Professions honors student award recipients
Recognizing distinguished achievement in leadership, clinical practice, and community service
United by a passion to advance medical care, six exceptional students from the School of Health Professions were honored Nov. 7 for achievements in leadership, innovation, research, and clinical excellence. Learn more about how these future leaders hope to reshape the world of health care below.
John Schermerhorn, M.D., Student Service Award
This award is named for Dr. Schermerhorn, who served as Dean of the School of Health Professions from 1971 to 1986. He guided and shaped the school, then known as the UT Southwestern School of Allied Health Professions, through its early years. The Schermerhorn Award is presented to students who have made outstanding contributions in service activities related to their profession.
Tony Vu
Degree: Master of Physician Assistant Studies (2025)
Mr. Vu, a Garland, Texas, native who was raised in nearby Arlington, developed an early appreciation for structure, precision, and creativity. Captivated by mathematics and science as a child, he often expressed his curiosity through meticulously drawn architectural sketches to create the illusion of depth and space. This blend of analytical and artistic interests laid the foundation for a lifelong dedication to learning and service.
He attended the University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor of Science in microbiology and infectious diseases. His introduction to the physician assistant (PA) profession came through his brother, a practicing PA, and through firsthand encounters with PAs whose kindness and professionalism left a lasting impact on him and his family. These experiences solidified his desire to enter a field defined by collaboration, patient advocacy, and accessible care.
At UT Southwestern, he distinguished himself through academic excellence and community engagement. His participation in initiatives such as the Carnaval de Salud Suture Clinic, Union Gospel Mission shelter clinics, the UTSW Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP), and various health screening and service events deepened his understanding of diverse community needs. His leadership roles, including Community Health co-Chair for the UTSW PA Class of 2025 and senior mentor in the PA Peer Mentor Alliance, reflect his commitment to mentorship and public health.
He aspires to join a team that values collaboration and patient-centered care. Mr. Vu intends to continue growing as both a clinician and advocate, prioritizing patient education and community service. “Ultimately, I hope to be a kind, competent, and trustworthy caregiver, someone who connects with patients through clear education and shared decision-making,” he said.
Grace Dietz
Degree: Master of Prosthetics-Orthotics (2025)
Born and raised in Harford County, Maryland, Ms. Dietz grew up with a natural inquisitiveness and eagerness to explore – whether she was experimenting with science, sketching new ideas, or building something with her hands. Though she once dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, her desire to serve, which was shaped by her Christian faith and admiration of her police officer father, led to pursuit of a health care career.
She earned her undergraduate degree in exercise science at Towson University in Maryland, focusing on research, therapy, and rehabilitation. While learning about medical fields centered on musculoskeletal care, she discovered prosthetics and orthotics (P&O). She found her calling during an internship at a specialty scoliosis bracing clinic in Baltimore.
After moving to Dallas to study P&O at UT Southwestern, Ms. Dietz immersed herself in academics and service. She conducted scoliosis research at Scottish Rite for Children and volunteered with adaptive sports programs. “At UT Southwestern, I’ve grown through the challenges of becoming a clinician, found joy in building skills and devices, and been inspired by the brilliance of my classmates,” she said.
Her passions extend beyond the classroom, where she leads therapeutic horsemanship sessions, makes folk art pieces through woodworking, and pursues projects that blend craftsmanship with purpose. She served as UTSW P&O Class of 2025 Outreach and Sustainability Coordinator, women’s fellowship leader with Southwestern Christian Fellowship, and booth coordinator for UTSW’s United to Serve.
Through her roles with Equest Therapeutic Horsemanship and White Rock Fellowship, Ms. Dietz has worked to build inclusive, compassionate communities. After graduation, she plans to return to the East Coast to complete her P&O residency in Baltimore and earn licensure. “I look forward to caring for my future patients,” she said.
L. Ruth Guy, Ph.D., Student Leadership Award
This award honors Dr. Guy, who co-founded the School of Medical Technology, which became part of the UT Southwestern School of Health Professions in 1969. Dr. Guy was an innovator in medical technology and blood banking who helped develop a rape test kit in the 1950s. She was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame in 1989. This award is presented to students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills.
Maddy Armstrong
Degree: Master of Genetic Counseling (2026)
Before she ever stepped into a clinic or observed a counselor at work, Ms. Armstrong was already searching for an intellectually challenging and deeply human career path. She was raised in Cincinnati, and her early love of science and teaching would eventually lead her to the perfect intersection of both – genetic counseling.
At the University of Alabama, Ms. Armstrong earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology, with minors in biology and neuroscience, building a foundation that reflected her fascination with people and biology. Her interest in genetic counseling grew through conversations with professionals across specialties and shadowing experiences that revealed the breadth of the field. Caring for a young boy with cerebral palsy strengthened her desire to help children facing complex medical needs, and her role as a genetic counseling assistant affirmed her goal.
At UT Southwestern, she was welcomed into a community that motivated her to learn, grow, and lead. She valued the mentorship she received and the opportunity to engage deeply with patients during some of life’s most challenging moments – from navigating a new diagnosis for a child to understanding a genetic predisposition to cancer.
Beyond her studies, Ms. Armstrong found time to volunteer at a cancer patient conference, make presentations to undergraduates on genetic counseling, and work at Camp John Marc, which serves children and teens with medical and physical challenges. She also participated as a member of both the SHP Student Advisory Committee and UTSW Student Leadership Council and completed an educational leadership rotation to broaden her understanding of academic decision-making.
Ms. Armstrong looks forward to working and teaching in pediatric genetic counseling, mentoring future trainees and, hopefully, one day serving as a program director. She considers her time spent at UTSW to be extraordinary. “The entire UT Southwestern genetic counseling community is phenomenal, and I have been genuinely excited to come to campus every single day to learn from those around me,” she said.
Raul Caetano, M.D., Ph.D., Student Research Award
This award was established in honor of Dr. Caetano, who served as Dean of the School of Health Professions from 2006 to 2014. Dr. Caetano has published many peer-reviewed papers, including extensive research into alcohol problems in U.S. ethnic populations. This award is presented to students in recognition of noteworthy research they conducted during their education.
Ann Kramer
Degree: Master of Prosthetics-Orthotics (2025)
Growing up in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Ms. Kramer spent eight years wearing a back brace, battling scoliosis while most kids her age moved about freely. Yet what could have been a source of frustration became a spark of fascination. “That experience introduced me to the world of orthotics,” she recalled. “I was amazed by how it blended health care, engineering, and art.”
Her personal struggle shaped a lifelong desire to help others maneuver with confidence. Drawn to science, technology, and art, she found relief in the water as a competitive swimmer. Fortunately, scoliosis never significantly limited her swimming ability; in fact, she found moving in the water often lessened her pain.
Ms. Kramer swam competitively at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, where she majored in rehabilitation sciences and psychology. While a Master of Prosthetics-Orthotics student at UT Southwestern, she participated in a summer rotation at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Hawaii, which deepened her interest in pediatrics and spinal orthoses. There she worked with young patients, casting in the operating room, fitting scoliosis braces, and fabricating devices that helped children move with greater freedom.
She served as co-President of the UTSW P&O Class of 2025 and Athlete Director of Leadership for USA Swimming, planning leadership workshops for young athletes while continuing to train with her local Masters swimming team at Southern Methodist University.
After graduation, she will begin her residency at Scottish Rite for Children in Frisco, continuing to work with Karina Zapata, D.P.T., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Applied Clinical Research, and her classmate, Grace Dietz, on a scoliosis research project they developed at Scottish Rite. The study could help doctors improve how braces are designed and used for children with scoliosis.
“By pursuing a career specializing in the care of adolescents with conditions like scoliosis, I intend to continue advancing personalized care through ongoing research and evidence-based practice, ensuring that the patient voice remains central to scientific progress,” she said.
Gordon Green, M.D., Student Clinician Award
This award honors Dr. Green, who was Dean of the School of Health Professions from 1991 to 2006. Dr. Green, a pediatrician and Professor Emeritus in the School of Health Professions, also participated in studies of birth defects at the National Center for Toxicological Research and served a six-year tour of duty with the U.S. Public Health Service. He was Director of the Dallas County Health Department and health authority for the city and county of Dallas for seven years. This award recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional clinical skills during their training.
Emily Helm
Degree: Master of Genetic Counseling (2026)
Ms. Helm grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in an environment that nurtured her curiosity. She was drawn to math and science and was fascinated by biology, especially the hidden workings of cells and the processes that enable life.
She graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Arts in University Scholars, concentrating on biology and medical humanities, and minored in history and biochemistry. After taking a genetics class, she pursued shadowing experiences and was motivated by how counselors explained complex concepts and supported patients, confirming that genetic counseling was the right career for her.
She enjoyed being a genetics counseling student at UTSW, especially as part of the inaugural class, where the supportive leadership, welcoming community, and small cohort of six fostered lasting friendships and professional growth. Diverse rotations – which included pediatric, prenatal, adult, cancer, lab, and patient advocacy – helped her translate classroom learning into patient-centered care that she looks forward to carrying into her future practice.
During a clinical rotation, she partnered with AMEND USA, a patient advocacy organization for multiple endocrine neoplasia. Ms. Helm liked it so much that she continued volunteering, developing resources and coordinating advocacy efforts. She has also made presentations on genetic counseling for undergraduates.
In launching her career, Ms. Helm aims to integrate patient-centered care into both clinical practice and advocacy. She hopes to work directly with patients, navigating new diagnoses and complex decisions while leading initiatives to improve access to information and support in the communities she serves.
“Long term, I hope to eventually work with a genetic counseling program in some capacity, such as supervising students, guest lecturing, or even teaching a course. In doing so, I would like to support growth of future generations, just as my supervisors and instructors have done for me,” she said.
Rising Star Leadership Award
The Rising Star Award is awarded to a student deemed to have shown overall excellence.
Amanda Harvey
Degree: Master of Physician Assistant Studies (2025)
Ms. Harvey grew up in Woolwich, New Jersey, in a home where numbers and science were part of everyday life. With a mother who taught math and siblings who turned road trips and dinner conversations into lively math games, her hunger for learning intensified. From a young age, she dreamed of working in medicine to help keep her family healthy, and when she was introduced to the physician assistant field through a high school program, it immediately felt like the right fit.
She earned her undergraduate degree in cellular and molecular biology from Hampton University in Virginia before beginning PA studies at UT Southwestern, where she immersed herself in service, mentorship, and leadership. As part of the UTSW PA Class of 2025 Peer Mentorship Alliance, she took pride in watching her mentees grow. She was also one of only six students in the U.S. to receive the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions Scholarship of Excellence, a recognition that affirmed her devotion to the field.
Outside of regular studies, she planned fundraising activities to help more than 20 classmates attend the 2024 American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) Conference and participated in the UTSW Quality Improvement Boot Camp, where her project – evaluating hospitalist efficiency across care models – was accepted for poster presentation at the 2025 Institute for Healthcare Improvement Forum.
Ms. Harvey has held multiple leadership roles, including AAPA representative, senior peer mentor, Quality Improvement fellow, and Vice President of Black Students of Health Professions. She also served as both mentor and mentee with the National Society of Black Physician Assistants.
Dedicated to public health, prevention, and patient empowerment, Ms. Harvey hopes to pursue primary care, HIV medicine, or infectious diseases. Long term, she envisions earning a doctorate in public health and creating a practice in which every patient feels heard, supported, and informed. “I want my patients to know that I take their concerns seriously and hope they leave each visit feeling more empowered in their care,” she said.