Anesthesiology

Celebrating the 2026 Residency Graduation

The 2026 DAPM Residency Graduation was a lively celebration of achievement, community, and new beginnings. On Saturday, June 20, the Residency Class of 2026 gathered at Covel Commons in UCLA’s Sunset Village to mark this significant milestone alongside their families, friends, colleagues, and DAPM faculty and staff.

The evening began with a festive pre-banquet reception, followed by welcoming remarks from Maxime Cannesson, MD, PhD, Chair; Judi Turner, MD, PhD, Vice Chair for Education; Jack Buckley, MD, Residency Program Director; and Christine Myo Bui, MD, Residency Associate Program Director.

In his remarks, Dr. Cannesson reflected on the significance of the evening falling on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year — a fitting moment to consider both the journey behind the graduates and the possibilities ahead. Drawing inspiration from poet Mary Oliver and her enduring question about what we choose to do with our “one wild and precious life,” he encouraged the graduates to reflect on how they will carry their talents, experiences, and sense of purpose into the next chapter of their lives. He also expressed his gratitude for the Class of 2026, recognizing their teamwork and leadership, as well as their many clinical, academic, and research accomplishments.

Faculty physicians from UCLA, Olive View–UCLA Medical Center, and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, together with the graduating Chief Residents, presented awards recognizing outstanding contributions during the 2025–26 academic year:

  • Distinguished Legacy in Leadership & Mentorship Award – Barbara Van de Wiele, MD
  • Excellence in Teaching Award – Ryan Bakhit, DO, and Jason S. Lee, MD
  • Dillon Award – Cecilia Canales, MD
  • Teacher of the Year – Joseph Szokol, MD
  • Perioperative Award – Luis Mendoza
  • Affiliate Teacher of the Year Award – Kate Balbi, DO
  • Excellence in Medical Student Teaching – Nicole Nguyen, MD
  • Olive View Award – Walter Rusin, MD, PhD
  • Long Beach Award – Andrea “Andi” Antenucci, MD
  • Distinguished Resident Award – Michael LoBasso, MD

The graduating Chief Residents — Andrea Antenucci, MD, Michael LoBasso, MD, Sonali Nayak, MD, and Rebecca Toohey, MD — marked an important transition in residency leadership by welcoming the incoming Chief Residents: Jennifer Kim, MD, Jacqueline Labins, MD, Jessica Mehta, MD, and Thibault Phillippine, MD.

Following the awards, one of the evening’s most meaningful traditions took place as each graduate was introduced by a faculty physician who had mentored them at the beginning of their clinical anesthesia training. Through personal reflections and warm anecdotes, faculty celebrated the growth, character, and accomplishments of each resident before the graduates walked onstage to receive their diplomas.

Diplomas were presented by Dr. Buckley, Dr. Myo Bui, Dr. Turner, and Dr. Cannesson, formally recognizing the Class of 2026 and the culmination of years of rigorous training, learning, and service.

The celebration was thoughtfully planned by Dr. Myo Bui and Dr. Buckley and seamlessly brought to life by the DAPM Education Office: Lucelva “Lucy” Mendez, Residency Program Manager; Karen Larrañaga, MEd, Associate Residency Program Coordinator; Eskedar Muche, Assistant ResidencyCoordinator; Samuel Gomez, Clinical Program Assistant; and Cristina Alonso, Medical Student Coordinator.

Congratulations to the DAPM Residency Class of 2026. We celebrate all they have accomplished during their time at UCLA and look forward to the many ways they will continue to lead, serve, and shape the future of anesthesiology.