The award is named in memory of Edwin R. Hughes, who served as director of the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program at the USA College of Medicine from its inception in 1978 until 1990. The award recognizes the student with the best performance in the curriculum.
Patton is completing her graduate studies under the direction of Dr. Ajay Singh, associate professor of oncologic sciences at the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute.
Patton earned her bachelor of science degree in biomedical sciences at USA.
