ASDA generic banner

The Ashbel Smith Distinguished Alumni (ASDA) Awards are the highest alumni honor bestowed by the university's School of Medicine Alumni Association.  The award, recognizing outstanding service to the medical profession and to humanity, honors the memory of Dr. Ashbel Smith. 

Born in 1805 in Hartford, Connecticut, Smith moved to Texas in 1837 after graduating from Yale Medical School.  A prominent figure in Texas medicine, politics and education, Smith was considered the driving force behind establishing the University of Texas at Austin in 1881, and a medical department that would later be known as the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 1891.


2023 ASDA awardees

Full biographies for each awardee can be accessed below:

Dr. Michael A. Cohen, Class of 1974

Dr. Philip L. Leggett, Class of 1980

Dr. Mark J. Lerman, Class of 1973

Dr. Bobby L. Limmer, Class of 1968

Dr. Gregory J. O'Shanik, Class of 1977

Dr. Shilpen Patel, Class of 2001


NOMINATIONS

Nominations are accepted in the fall of each year. The 2023 nomination process has closed. Winners will be announced at a special event on June 2, 2023.

 RECIPIENT LIST

View a historical list of School of Medicine alumni who have been honored with  the Ashbel Smith Distinguished Alumnus Award dating back to 1965. 

 

 

ASDA criteria