Congratulations to our BVIS Students, Alumni, and Faculty at AMI 2026

Leah Lebowicz | Posted on August 05, 2026

Congratulations to all of those who received awards and recognition at the 2026 Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) Annual Meeting in Madison, Wisconsin!

Salon Awards (Student)

• Justine Arizabal (BVIS 2027) received an Award of Excellence in the Advertising and Marketing/Promotional category for A Solution to Intrauterine Adhesions: Womed Leaf.

• Morgan Merrill (BVIS 2026) received an Award of Merit in the Editorial category for Instruments.

Salon Awards (Professional)

• Marcelo Oliver, Body Scientific International, LLC, and contributors Lik Kwong, Monica Wierzbicki (BVIS 2020), Dalena Huynh (BVIS 2023), Odelia Cheng (BVIS 2023), Carol Hresja (BVIS 2007, Faculty), and Ester Pully received an Award of Excellence in the Illustrated Text category for Body Scientific's Anatomy- An Overview of the Human Body.

• Marcelo Oliver, Body Scientific International, LLC, and contributors Lik Kwong, Monica Wierzbicki (BVIS 2020), Dalena Huynh (BVIS 2023), Odelia Cheng (BVIS 2023), Carol Hresja (BVIS 2007, Faculty), and Ester Pully received the Social Impact Award in the Illustrated Text category for Body Scientific's Anatomy- An Overview of the Human Body.

• Kate Zumach (BVIS 2017), Insmed Inc., and contributors Jackie Briskin, Anne Hughes (BVIS 2022), and Sarah Samaroo Scull received an Award of Merit in the Didactic/Instruction – Commercial Animation Media category for Airway Clearance Techniques for Bronchiectasis and MAC Lung Disease Patients.

• Amami Antia- Obong (BVIS 2013, Faculty) received the People’s Choice Award for Giraffed at the 4th Annual Dog Show.

Conference Presentations, Workshops and Showcases

We also congratulate the many BVIS faculty, alumni, and students who shared their expertise through presentations, workshops, technology showcases, and student showcases during this year's conference.

Presentations and Workshops
• Sarah McGuinness (BVIS 2020, Faculty)- Molecular Visualization with Mol* (Workshop)
• Leah Lebowicz (BVIS 2012, Program Director), Amanda Behr, Michael Corrin, Jim Perkins and David Rini- Graduate Education in Medical Illustration: Adapting to a Changing Profession (Presentation)
• Shlomo (Sam) Spaeth (BVIS 2006)- AI-Powered Workflows: Unlock Your Software's Advanced Features Without Technical Expertise (Presentation)
• Sam Bond (BVIS 2016, Faculty)- From Sketchbook to "Survivor": Lessons in Large-Scale Illustration (Presentation)
• Peg Gerrity (BVIS 1989) - Travel Watercolor: Painting Simple Birds with Traditional Techniques (Techniques Showcase)
• Andrea Kim (BVIS 2018)- Automating 3D Model Generation with Code (Techniques Showcase)

Vesalius Trust Lucille Innes Student Showcase
• Bren Alford (BVIS 2026)
• Morgan Merrill (BVIS 2026)
• Amanda Dazo (BVIS 2026)
• Melinda Thompson (BVIS 2026)

Networking Roundtable Session
• Moderated by Peg Gerrity (BVIS 1989)
• Table Leaders:
o Jess Reynolds (BVIS 2028): Fine Art/Traditional Media
o Todd Buck (BVIS 1990): Inclusive/Accessible Editorial Illustration and Patient Education
o Abby Liberty Richbourg (BVIS 2014): Inclusive/Accessible 2D Animation and Illustration
o Sam Bond (BVIS 2016 , Faculty): Medical Gaming and Interactive
o Shlomo (Sam) Spaeth (BVIS 2006): Medical Gaming and Interactive
o Andrea Kim (BVIS 2018): Interactive Medical Visualization
o Melanie Connolly (BVIS 2016): Artificial Intelligence for Streamlining Business Operations
o Cameron Slayden (BVIS faculty): Expanding Your Studio from Sole Proprietor to Multi-Employee: Advantages & Complications
o Mandy Root Thompson (BVIS 2014): Marketing/General
o Molly Huttner (BVIS 2017): Adobe Workflow/Time Management for Animation
o Jennifer Hollis (BVIS 2016): Adobe Workflow/Time Management
o Leah Lebowicz (BVIS 2012, Program Director): Serving in an Institutional/Teaching/ or Faculty Position

Professional Leadership and Service
BVIS faculty and alumni also continued to play important leadership roles within the Association of Medical Illustrators.

• Carol Hresja (BVIS 2007, Faculty)- Chair, 2026 AMI Annual Conference Program Committee
• Emi Frohn (BVIS 2021)- Vice Chair, 2026 AMI Annual Conference Program Committee
• Ni-ka Ford (BVIS 2017)- Elected to the AMI Board of Governors
• Carol Hresja (BVIS 2007, Faculty)- Elected to the AMI Board of Governors

Congratulations again to all of the award recipients and to everyone who represented BVIS through their scholarship, leadership, and service at this year's AMI Annual Meeting.