Department of Surgery News | Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University

<BIG>DR. TARA L. HUSTON RECEIVES OUTSTANDING RECENT GRADUATE AWARD FROM SBU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION</BIG>
 
Honored for Outstanding Record of Achievement as Plastic Surgeon and Educator

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Dr. Tara L. Huston holding her award.</div>
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STONY BROOK, NY, August 18, 2013 — <a href="http://medicine.stonybrookmedicine.edu/surgery/people/faculty/dr-tara-l… L. Huston, MD</a> (Class of '01 SBU MDs), assistant professor of surgery, was honored today as the recipient of the 2013 Outstanding Recent Graduate Award, presented by the Stony Brook University School of Medicine Alumni Association, at this year’s White Coat Ceremony held for the incoming first-year medical students (Class of '17).

"Not only will the ceremony mark the introduction of 124 new members of the Stony Brook Medicine family, but it will allow us to celebrate two of our most distinguished family members," Kenneth Kaushansky, MD, dean of the School of Medicine, said prior to the event. "We honor both our matriculates and our distinguished alumni award winners at the same time, so that our rising physicians can personally see how to set their sights on excellence."

Also honored was Gregory P. Conners, MD (Class of '89), who received the 2013 Distinguished Alumnus Award of the School of Medicine Alumni Association. Dr. Conners is a leader in the field of emergency pediatrics and medical education, and is on the faculty at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine.

Dr. Huston joined our faculty in 2011 as a member of the <a href="/surgery/divisions/plastic-reconstructive-surgery">Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Division</a>. Her practice focuses on face, breast, and body aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, including breast/facial reconstruction after cancer; treatment of facial fractures; reconstruction after burn injury; and melanoma surgery (she is the leader of the <a href="http://cancer.stonybrookmedicine.edu/melanoma-team" target="_blank">Melanoma Management Team</a>).

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"I am grateful for the opportunities afforded by my medical education, and thrilled that I am now an assistant professor at my alma mater, and can participate in the training of future generations of Stony Brook physicians."
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During surgical training, Dr. Huston distinguished herself by authoring more than 20 articles in peer-reviewed journals and eight book chapters, as well as travelling extensively to present her work. Her research focuses on novel surgical treatments for breast cancer.

"It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by the Stony Brook School of Medicine," Dr. Huston says. "I am grateful for the opportunities afforded by my medical education, and thrilled that I am now an assistant professor at my alma mater, and can participate in the training of future generations of Stony Brook physicians."

Dr. Huston is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, Association of Women Surgeons, the New York Regional Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the Committee of Admissions at the Stony Brook School of Medicine. Dr. Huston received distinctions from the New York Regional Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Weill Cornell Medical College Alumni Council, and the New York Presbyterian Hospital.

She received her BS cum laude in biochemical sciences from Harvard and her MD with "distinction in research" from Stony Brook University School of Medicine, where she was elected to the prestigious <a href="http://www.alphaomegaalpha.org" target="_blank">Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society</a>.

"On behalf of the Stony Brook School of Medicine Alumni Association, I congratulate this year's Award recipients. Dr. Gregory Conners and Dr. Tara Huston have distinguished themselves through their professional achievements, and will serve as standard bearers of excellence for our future alumni," said Anthony Girardi, MD, president of the Stony Brook School of Medicine Alumni Association.

Held at Stony Brook since 1998, the White Coat Ceremony is an initiation rite for incoming medical students at established medical schools around the country. The white coat is symbolic to medicine as a profession based on professionalism, scientific excellence, responsibility, and compassionate care.