The 2026 Hooding Ceremony at the UNC School of Medicine Hooding Ceremony was a moment of celebration and recognition, honoring the graduating Class of 2026 and highlighting faculty
members whose dedication to teaching, mentorship, and compassionate care profoundly shaped the medical education experience. The event, held May 8, 2026, at Carmichael Arena, provided an opportunity for students to recognize outstanding educators and leaders as they prepared to begin the next chapter of their medical careers.
Dr. Ted Zarzar — Outstanding Acute Care/Inpatient Educator
Dr. Ted Zarzar received the award for “Outstanding Acute Care/Inpatient Educator – Central Campus,” as selected by the fourth-year medical student class. This honor reflects Dr. Zarzar’s exceptional ability to guide learners through the complexities of inpatient medicine and acute care settings. Students highlighted his clear teaching style, supportive mentorship at the bedside, and commitment to clinical excellence, all of which helped prepare them for residency and clinical practice.
Dr. Michael Baca-Atlas — Graduation Hooder
Dr. Michael Baca-Atlas was one of three individuals selected to serve as a hooder during the Hooding Ceremony—a significant role in which faculty or students officially confer the hood on graduating medical students. Being chosen as a hooder is a meaningful recognition of one’s influence on the student community and the trust students place in those who have guided their professional development.
Dr. Kenan Penaskovic — Multiple Honors
Dr. Kenan Penaskovic received multiple distinguished recognitions from the Class of 2026:
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Inaugural Kenan Penaskovic Award: Created to acknowledge a member of the Office of Medical Student Education whose contributions have made a lasting impact on the graduating class. This inaugural honor reflects Dr. Penaskovic’s dedication to supporting students throughout their medical education.
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Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award: Presented by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation and voted on by students, this award celebrates a faculty member who exemplifies humanism in clinical care. Recipients demonstrate compassionate communication, deep respect for patients and families, cultural sensitivity, and a steadfast commitment to professional and ethical excellence.
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Faculty Graduation Speaker: Dr. Penaskovic was selected by the graduating class to deliver the faculty address at the School of Medicine commencement ceremony—a rare and meaningful distinction that underscores the profound respect and admiration students have for his guidance and advocacy.
A Ceremony of Celebration and Transition
The Hooding Ceremony is a cherished tradition for the UNC School of Medicine. Held annually in early May, it celebrates the academic and professional achievements of the graduating MD class as they transition into residency and clinical practice. The event features formal academic dress—including the distinctive UNC medical hood—and the conferral of hoods by faculty mentors, recognizing both scholarly accomplishment and the support of the medical school community.
As the Class of 2026 takes its next steps in medicine, the accolades awarded to Drs. Zarzar, Baca-Atlas, and Penaskovic underscore the profound impact that dedicated educators and mentors have on shaping the next generation of physicians.