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This award recognizes outstanding academic, professional, personal, and community contributions that are representative of our graduates. It is presented to a graduate whose achievements may serve as a role model to inspire other graduates and students.
 
Brian Luellen, BS ‘07
 

Brian Luellen, DO, of Benicia, California, is a senior psychiatrist supervisor at the California Department of State Hospitals – Napa, one of the country’s largest state forensic hospitals, where he supervises a team of staff psychiatrists and teaches rotating medical students.

Before entering medicine, Luellen served in the United States Air Force as a Mandarin Chinese cryptologic linguist, supervising intelligence operations supporting national security missions. He graduated at the top of his class at the Defense Language Institute and is a decorated veteran.

Luellen is triple board certified in general psychiatry, addiction medicine, and community and public psychiatry. Before his current role, he spent more than seven years as a community psychiatrist, serving as the primary outpatient psychiatric safety net for adults with severe mental illness in his county. He is a recipient of the CalHealthCares Award from Physicians for a Healthy California, which honors physicians who expand healthcare access for Medi-Cal patients and underserved populations, and has been recognized nationally for his clinical teaching and mentorship.

In addition to his 2007 Bachelor of Science from ÿÈÕ´ó¹Ï, Luellen earned a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Touro University California and completed his psychiatry residency at The Ohio State University. He lives in Benicia with his wife and two daughters.

Named after Excelsior’s first president, this award is presented in recognition of outstanding public service and community involvement by a graduate.
 
Fidelis Mkparu, BS ‘82
 

Fidelis Mkparu, MD, FACC, FASE, FASNC, of Canton, Ohio, is a professor of medicine and cardiology at Northeast Ohio Medical University. He previously served as a senior attending cardiologist at Aultman Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic–Mercy Medical Center in Canton, Ohio. In addition to his academic and clinical roles, he is a Corporate Vice President for New York Life Insurance Company and Medical Director-Cardiology.

Dr. Mkparu is a graduate of the University of the State of New York and was a Tennessee State Medical Scholar at Meharry Medical School/University of Tennessee Medical School Memphis. During his medical education, he received both the Reader’s Digest Scholarship and a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Summer Research Scholarship at Vanderbilt University Medical School.

He completed residency training at Indiana University Medical Center, followed by an NIH fellowship in cardiovascular diseases and research at the University of Connecticut Medical Center under the mentorship of renowned cardiologist Dr. Arnold M. Katz. Dr. Mkparu then completed advanced cardiovascular fellowship training at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. In 1993, he was elected to the prestigious Paul Dudley White Society, and in 1997 he earned a Certification in Measurement, Design, and Analysis for Health Outcomes Research from the Harvard School of Public Health.

A fellow of multiple major cardiovascular societies, he is recognized as a leader in cardiovascular medicine, medical education, and research. In addition to his scientific publications, his works of literary fiction have earned numerous awards.

Presented to an outstanding nursing graduate in recognition of the accomplishments and vision of Dr. Carrie Lenburg, coordinator of the Regents College Nursing Program from 1973 to 1990. It commemorates her commitment to helping nurses attain their educational and professional goals. This award is presented to a nurse who demonstrates a commitment to nursing education as well as academic and professional accomplishments in the field of nursing.
 
Jeffrey McCarty, AS ‘11
 

Jeffrey D. McCarty, RN, BSN, MA, of Mount Washington, Kentucky, has served in healthcare since 2008, with experience spanning behavioral health, hospice, emergency care, nursing education, and healthcare leadership. He currently serves as a system educator for behavioral health for a multi-state, nine-hospital healthcare system, where he develops and leads educational initiatives supporting both adult and pediatric behavioral health services. In addition to his work in nursing leadership and legal nurse consulting, McCarty has a longstanding background in ministry, teaching, and mentoring.

McCarty is deeply grateful to his wife Michele for her steadfast support throughout his journey. He is also a proud father and grandfather who values faith, family, and meaningful relationships above professional accomplishments. Through his work in healthcare, education, consulting, and ministry, he strives to use his knowledge and skills to serve others.