The Lawrence M. Weiner Award, established in 1979, honors outstanding contributions of non-alumni to the School of Medicine through the exceptional performance of their teaching, research and/or administrative duties. These individuals have met the high standards set by Dr. Lawrence Weiner’s outstanding record of service to the school.

KAMRAN S. MOGHISSI, MD
Kamran S. Moghissi, MD, joined the faculty of Wayne State University in 1962 and is currently professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

Dr. Moghissi is a nationally and internationally respected investigator in the field of reproductive medicine, fertility enhancement and regulation. He is the author or co-author of more than 300 publications in scientific journals and is editor or co-editor of 17 books. Dr. Moghissi has been the recipient of numerous research grants from National Institutes of Health, World Health Organization and the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Moghissi established the first comprehensive infertility clinic at Wayne State University/Hutzel Hospital and developed the first successful in vitro fertilization program in Michigan. He is currently a member of the House of Delegates of the American Medical Association representing the specialty of reproductive medicine. He has served as chief of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Harper-Grace Hospital and Hutzel Hospital and as chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Wayne State University. He has served as visiting professor throughout the United States, Latin America, the Middle East and Europe. In 1997, Wayne State University honored Dr. Moghissi by establishing the Kamran S. Moghissi, MD, Chair in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.  

JULIUS RUTZKY, MD
Julius Rutzky, MD, has been affiliated with Wayne State University School of Medicine since 1950. Upon his arrival at the School of Medicine as a fellow in pediatric hematology at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, he enthusiastically demonstrated his commitment to medical education and excellence in patient care.

Dr. Rutzky taught pediatric hematology- oncology and clinical pathology and was an active researcher. He contributed to and published numerous abstracts, books, chapters, educational materials and case reports. From 1969 to 1974, he served as a member of the School of Medicine Faculty Senate. Medical students remember Dr. Rutzky as a dedicated professor and value the knowledge he shared with them.

Throughout his medical career, Dr. Rutzky has been honored with numerous medals, prizes, awards and other tributes. He considers being selected by the medical students to address the class at graduation and receiving the Teacher of the Year Award from the residents of Children’s Hospital of Michigan among the most gratifying of his honors.

ROBERT J. SOKOL, MD
Robert J. Sokol, MD, was recruited as professor and chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Wayne State University School of Medicine/Detroit Medical Center in 1983. He served as dean and senior vice president for Medical Affairs from 1988 (initially in an interim capacity) until 1999.

During his tenure, the National Science Foundation ranking of the Wayne State University School of Medicine rose from the lower half of the nation’s 125 medical schools to No. 22. Major curriculum revision and modernization was accomplished and 16 endowed chairs were implemented. The academic medical center would eventually rank in the top 10 in the country in development results. The school’s relationship with its students and alumni was considerably enhanced.

Since stepping down as dean, Dr. Sokol has served as director of the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He has won two national research awards, and was elected president of the Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and as president elect of the Detroit Academy of Medicine. He has continued to publish extensively in the area of preventing perinatally incurred brain damage, particularly as it relates to prenatal exposure to alcohol and cocaine. His honors include many research awards, a lifetime achievement award from the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and an award from the Wayne State University School of Medicine student body. Dr. Sokol has authored more than 1100 publications, including more than 230 refereed papers.