The Moses Brown Alumni Association and friends joined together to kick off Homecoming weekend on Thursday, October 19 at the annual Fall Alumni Awards Reception.
The Moses Brown Alumni Association and friends joined together to kick off Homecoming weekend on Thursday, October 19 at the annual Fall Alumni Awards Reception. Held at the Providence Art Club, the event celebrated two accomplished Moses Brown alumni: Eric Cioè Peña ‘01, who received the Outstanding Young Alum Award, and Keith Monchik ‘90, who received the Karin Morse ‘79 Service to Alma Mater Award.
“Independent Schools like Moses Brown teach you to think outside the box,” remarked Eric Cioè Peña ‘01 upon receiving his award. “It taught me to think that when someone says you can’t do something, I should always say ‘Why? Why can’t we do that?’ Having that boldness, especially for the things that MB teaches are important like integrity and service, is why I’m standing in front of you today.”
“Volunteering allows us to give back in a meaningful way - whether it’s through mentorship, community service, or supporting the next generation of students,” said Keith Monchik, ‘90. “Receiving the Service to Alma Mater Award is a tremendous honor, but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing work that we have ahead of us. Our commitment to volunteerism and community service must remain steadfast not just as individuals, but as a collective force for good.”
Head of School Katie Titus joined the celebration for fellowship and recognition of Eric and Keith’s service, congratulating them on the honor bestowed by their peers. “You are among the long list of MB alumni who are living our mission as graduates,” remarked Katie. “We are grateful to you for representing Moses Brown so well both here in our backyard and around the globe.”
Meet the Awardees
Outstanding Young Alum Awardee
The Outstanding Young Alumnus/a Award honors a recent alumnus for outstanding accomplishments and service in his or her professional, personal, or civic life. His or her achievements inspire young alumni.ae and bring honor to Moses Brown.
Eric Cioè Peña ’01
Eric, M.D. M.P.H. is the founder and current Vice President of the Center for Global Health of Northwell Health and the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He is an associate professor of Emergency Medicine. He is also the ACEP lead ambassador to El Salvador. He is a graduate of SUNY Downstate Emergency Medicine Residency program and the Columbia University International Emergency Medicine Fellowship. He has worked extensively in Ecuador, Guyana, India, Botswana, Dominican Republic, and El Salvador on health systems development projects, trauma care and humanitarian assistance. He has a Masters in Public Health and Humanitarian Assistance from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and received his doctorate of medicine with concentration in Global Health from the University of Pennsylvania.
Eric is leading the global initiatives at Northwell and Hofstra with specific focus in stakeholder-led projects centered on access to global mental health, global surgery, utilization of technology to close health-equity gaps globally as well as to mitigate the effects of climate change on global health. Dr. Cioè Peña was redeployed in 2020 and 2021 with Northwell at a 108-bed COVID alternate care facility in conjunction with the State of New York as the Medical Director where he directed the care of over 1,000 COVID patients. Dr. Cioè Peña is the past president of the Global Emergency Medicine Academy of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine and is also the past president of the Global Emergency Medicine fellowship consortium. He served on the Public Health and Injury Prevention committee and is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Eric has met and been recognized for his work in Global Health by Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, Minister of Health Frank Anthony in Guyana and most recently President Zelenskyy of Ukraine.
Karin Morse ’79 Service to Alma Mater Award
The Karin Morse ’79 Service to Alma Mater Award recognizes an alum for outstanding service to Moses Brown School. This person’s voluntary contributions have been long term, extend beyond the work of most volunteers, and speak to MB’s proud tradition of service to community.
Keith Monchik ’90, P ’24, ’28
Keith is a well-known and respected orthopedic surgeon with OrthoRI.
He earned his M.D. from Ross University, where he earned the distinguished academic scholar award and was valedictorian. Keith completed his residency and surgical training and trauma fellowship at Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital where he won the house staff excellence award and the public service award.
He is also currently an Assistant Clinical Professor in Brown's Warren Alpert Medical School and serves as a team physician for Johnson & Wales University, and several schools in the R.I. Interscholastic League including Moses Brown football. Keith also sits on the Rhode Island Interscholastic League's Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.
He has been/was a member of the R.I. Disaster Medical Assistance Team for 17 years and been a part of many federal disaster responses, including to the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York City and the Haitian earthquake.
This summer, Keith was very helpful as the School made arrangements for coverage while Joyce Freeman, trainer is out on leave.
Keith is a present Trustee and Keith’s children Nathan ’24 and Emeline ’28 have attended Moses Brown since lower school.
Alumni Volunteer
Event Host 2010, 2011
MBAA Board 2007-2015, Clerk 2012-2015
HOS Search 2008
Reunion Class Agent 2005, 2010, 2015
Boards and Committees
Enrollment & Marketing 2014-present
Nominating 2012-2015
Campaign Steering 2014
Former Trustee 2012-2015
Present Trustee, Enrollment & Marketing
- Alumni