It may be by luck that Judy Ashouri, MD ’16, and Judy Duff share the same first name, but Patrick Duff, MD, associate dean for student affairs, believes it is no coincidence that Ashouri and his late wife share so many of the same qualities. Ashouri was awarded the first Judy Duff Award during the class of 2016 senior banquet in May.

Selflessness, sensitivity, kindness, honesty, integrity and humility are just a few of the words Duff uses to describe his late wife, Judy. Duff, who works closely with UF College of Medicine students, lost his wife to cancer just before medical graduation in 2015. This year he established the Judy Duff Award in her honor to recognize a student who exemplifies his wife’s caring and kindness.

When asked to nominate a classmate for the inaugural Judy Duff Award, the class of 2016 did not have trouble finding someone. One nomination describes Ashouri as, “spending hours outside of the classroom and clinics with sick children at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. Her companionship has made a positive difference in the hospitalization of many children, providing them with love and fun during a stressful time.”

In presenting her with the award, Duff commented that Ashouri received the most applause of the evening.

“I hope she will maintain these traits throughout her career and be the kind of physician who makes sure people know she cares not only for them, but about them,” he said.