Alumni Association

Members of the faculty of Babies Hospital established the Babies Hospital Alumni Association (BHAA) around 1938. Its objective, according to the bylaws, "shall be the advancement of the interests of Babies Hospital, the advancement of pediatric art and science, and the promotion of social activities among its members."

Alumni Day

Alumni Day occurs in April of each year. All alumni association members are invited to participate in a day of activities, including:

• Hattie Alexander Memorial Lecture
• BHAA Distinguished Alumnus Award
• BHAA Breakfast and Business Meeting

The BHAA presents the following awards each year:

• Distinguished Alumnus Award: This award is presented to “an alumnus or alumna who has received wide recognition for distinguished service to the science or practice of pediatrics or for excellence in public service for the health and welfare of children." View current and past Distinguished Alumnus Award recipients.
• Harry S. Altman Memorial Prize: This prize is presented to a senior medical student who demonstrates enthusiasm, eagerness, integrity, honesty, and dedication to the health and wellbeing of children, in the best tradition of Dr. Harry S. Altman. 2025 recipients Sofia Ali and Grace Franzese. Grace will be a pediatric intern here at Columbia/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in July. Sofia is a fourth-year medical student at Columbia and is very excited to be a pediatric intern in the LEAD (Leadership in Equity and Advocacy) Track in the Boston Combined Residency Program in Pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital / Boston Medical Center.

• Edward C. Curnen, Jr. Award: This award was established by Dr. Curnen’s colleagues to honor the house officer who best exemplifies the ideas of humane and compassionate patient care that Dr. Curnen so manifestly displayed during his long and distinguished career in pediatrics. Amanda Simard, MD, 2025 awardee, will continue her training next year at Boston Children's Hospital as a GI fellow.

• Emmett Holt Fellowship: This award is presented to a graduating medical student, or student who has graduated within the last two years, in honor of his or her exceptional promise in the field of pediatrics and dedication to children. Sophia Jackman and Tomer Yaron-Barir 2025 award recipients. Sophia joined Columbia VP&S where she pursed an additional year of research on congenital cardiac disease in the Kalfa lab and will be joining the CUIMC/NYP Residency in July. Tomer joined the 3-year PhD-to-MD program at VP&S and is excited to be moving to Boston to join the Children's Hospital of Boston Residency Program.
• Jerry Jacobs Prize: This prize is awarded to a graduating student who has demonstrated excellence in the differential diagnosis and treatment of disorders in children. The 2025 awardees are Joshua Goodman and Thomas Moody. Josh will be an intern here at the CUIMC/NYP Pediatric Residency Program in July. Thomas worked in the lab of Harris Wang at VP&S and will be joining the CUIMC/NYP Pediatric Residency program this July.
• Rustin McIntosh Fellowship: Dr. Rustin McIntosh was Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and Director of the Pediatric Service from 1933-1960. During his tenure, Dr. McIntosh fostered a “spirit of doubt and need for inquiry” that led to breakthroughs in the treatments of many childhood diseases. The Rustin McIntosh Fellowship honors a pediatric postgraduate fellow who best exemplifies these attributes. 2025 recipient Jonathan Steinman, MD came to Columbia for residency, where he was a member of the inaugural class of our department's physician-scientist developmental program. During his time here, he has become a stellar pediatrician and endocrinologist, and his "Diabetic Doc" K12 award recieved 2 years funding with salary & lab funding.
• Metropolitan Fund Fellowship: The Metropolitan Fund Fellowship was established in the Division of Hematology/Oncology in 1986 in memory of former fellow Susan Furnberg, who died during her fellowship year. This award is presented annually to a fellow demonstrating excellence in the field of hematology, oncology, and stem cell transplantation. Lora Bojilova-Dor, MD, 2025 awardee, is a third-year pediatric hematology/oncology/stem cell transplantation fellow who consistently delivers exceptional care with humility and compassion.
• Milton Singer Memorial Fellowship: This award is presented to talented physicians who have completed their residency in pediatrics and who are planning a career in research in children's illnesses that held a special interest to Dr. Singer, particularly cerebral palsy and prematurity. Nicholas Puoplo, MD, 2025 recipient, will join the division of neonatology at Georgetown University after graduating fellowship.
• Rebecca A. Schwarz Memorial Prize: Dr. and Mrs. Steven M. Schwarz established The Rebecca A. Schwarz Memorial Prize in November 1981 as a memorial tribute to their infant daughter, Rebecca, who died after surgery to repair a congenital heart defect. In appreciation for the support and care they received throughout Rebecca's life, the Schwarz family established this prize to be presented to a senior medical student conducting outstanding research in the area of pediatric heart disease. 2025 recipient Anna Lampe is a senior medical student, rising intern matched to the CUIMC Pediatrics program, and will be a resident here at Columbia/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
• William Perry Watson Prize: This is the oldest award in the Department of Pediatrics, established in 1922 by a gift from Dr. Watson. The prize is awarded annually to the member(s) of the graduating class who shows "the most valuable work in the study of the diseases of infants and children during his or her regular courses.” Dr. Watson was a graduate of the P&S Class of 1878 and went on to become the Medical Director of the Prudential Life Insurance Company. 2025 awardees Thomas Benz and Lindsey Maclay. Thomas will be joining CUIMC/NYP Pediatric Residency Program in July. Lindsey will be pursing a career in pediatrics as a resident at the North-western McGaw/Lurie Children's Hospital in July.

• Dr. Jen-Tien Wung Fellowship Award for Clinical Excellence in Neonatology: This award was established in 2020 in the Division of Neonatology in honor of Dr. Jen Tien Wung. The award is presented annually to a graduating neonatology fellow who has demonstrated excellence in the clinical care of neonates that Dr. Wung so manifestly displayed during his long and distinguished career. Catherine Austin, MD, 2025 award recipient, will join Children's Hospital of Philadelphia as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics after completing her fellowship here at Columbia.