*The 3-year first-time residency attainment rate is the weighted average of the 2022-23, through 2024-25 academic years. For each year, the rate is the percent of students attaining a residency out of all graduates or expected graduates in the year who were active applicants in the NRMP match in that year or who attained a residency outside the NRMP match in that year. The 1-year first-time residency attainment rate is 95% for 2024-2025 graduates.
Celebrate the 2025 AUC Alumni Award Winners
Every year, AUC graduates make remarkable contributions in medicine — improving patient care, advancing medical practice and giving back to future physicians. The 2025 AUC Alumni Awards honor three exceptional graduates whose journeys exemplify the transformative impact of medical education.
Their stories remind us why the work we do at Adtalem matters: we're shaping the future of healthcare and the lives of countless patients who will benefit from their care.
Alumni Ambassador Award Recipient: Zynab Hassan, MD '09
Dr. Zynab Hassan embodies the spirit of service that defines the best of AUC's alumni community. Since graduating in 2009, she has built an enviable career in urgent care while maintaining an extraordinary commitment to giving back through hands-on mentorship at admission events across the country. "I love workshops," she says. "It's not just me talking. It's hands-on. I teach students how to hold the instruments, how to get a feel for [suturing]."
Her work as an ambassador for AUC includes conducting suture workshops, mini medical camps, and one-on-one mentorship, helping students understand the many directions they can take in medicine. Her best advice for students? "Never give up. You'll make mistakes, but you'll learn from them. Have grit. Be determined." Her commitment to paying it forward ensures that future generations of AUC graduates will have the guidance and support they need to succeed.
Alumni Resident Star Award Recipient: Racquel Kaizer, MD '22
Dr. Racquel Kaizer's path to medicine is a testament to perseverance and determination. After immigrating from Liberia at age 13, her journey to medical school was marked by significant obstacles — including being waitlisted twice by her dream school. But she pressed forward with unwavering resolve.
"I had to figure a lot of things out on my own," she says. "So if I can save someone else even 10 minutes by passing something along, connecting them with the right people at AUC or helping to answer a question for them, I absolutely will."
Since graduating from AUC in 2022, Dr. Kaizer has distinguished herself during her residency, earning recognition for both her clinical excellence and her compassionate approach to patient care. Now she's heading home to Minnesota to accept a prestigious fellowship position in hematology-oncology at the University of Minnesota — coming full circle with the specialty that first inspired her journey into medicine.
Alumni Excellence Award Recipient: Sandip Saha, MD '10
Dr. Sandip Saha has established himself as a leader in interventional pulmonology, bringing together an unlikely combination of artistic sensibility and surgical innovation. "It's the right mix of everything," he explains. "I like working with my hands, being precise and methodical and thinking visually. The lungs are a dynamic, 3D space."
After completing his residency and fellowships in pulmonary and critical care, followed by specialized training in interventional pulmonology at Yale, Dr. Saha has become a pioneer in advanced lung care, using cutting-edge robotic tools and techniques to provide patients with better outcomes.
His impact extends far beyond the procedure room. While managing his responsibilities as head of the Interventional Pulmonology department at Buffalo General Medical Center, Dr. Saha still remains deeply connected to AUC, volunteering his time as a mentor and advisor to current students and recent graduates. Whether he's performing complex pulmonary procedures or guiding the next generation of physicians, Dr. Saha brings the same dedication to precision and purpose that has defined his career.
The information and material contained in this article and on this website are for informational purposes only and should not be considered, or used in place of, professional medical advice. Please speak with a licensed medical provider for specific questions or concerns. AUC is not responsible for the information maintained or provided on third-party websites or external links.
