‘We put in the hard work’

Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine recently held its 10^th Honors Convocation to celebrate outstanding achievements of faculty, staff, and medical students.

More than 300 people attended the two-hour event held May 9 at Oakland University’s Oakland Center. OUWB’s Honors Convocation traditionally is held the day before the school’s commencement ceremony for the year’s graduating class.

Recognized during the event were recent inductees into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and the Gold Humanism Honor Society, outstanding student and faculty achievements, and more. (See box for link to full list of awardees.)

The host for the event was Christopher Carpenter, M.D., Stephan Sharf interim dean.

“Honors convocation was a clear reminder to me of how well our OUWB community fulfills the mission, vision and values of our school,” he said after the event.

“It was wonderful to see the OUWB community come together to celebrate and honor our students and faculty for their exceptional service and humanism, as well as their excellence in academics, clinical performance, diversity, research, and education.” 

Several students were recognized multiple times for their achievements.

Holly Shifman, M.D., OUWB ’24, was an inductee into the Gold Humanism Honor Society, awarded Outstanding Performance in the Psychiatry Clerkship, and first runner-up for 2023 Ravitz Foundation Embark Program Competitive Scholarship Manuscript of the Year.

“It feels really wonderful,” she said. “I’m lucky enough that all of my friends were also honored today. It’s exciting that we’re all about to share this together after the last four years.”

Shifman also expressed gratitude for those who helped her along the way.

“OUWB provides really great mentorship and that goes a long way toward the success of the medical students,” she said. “The OUWB professors and the clinical faculty at Corewell really helped us all excel.”

Nicolaas Schimmel, M.D., OUWB ’24, was recognized for being an Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society inductee, Outstanding Performance in the Surgery Clerkship, and among three to receive the Class of 2024 M1 Award for Outstanding Academic Performance. He said he felt honored to be recognized at honors convocation.

Leah Rotenbakh, M.D., OUWB ’24, said she felt “very honored.” Rotenbakh was recognized for Class of 2024 M2 Award for Outstanding Academic Performance, and for receiving the 2023 - 24 Dean’s Scholarship (awarded by the Corewell Health Foundation).

“We put in the hard work for the sake of our future patients, and it’s nice to get recognition that we’re putting in that effort,” he said.

Schimmel said OUWB gave him plenty of ways to excel — research opportunities, numerous ways to get involved in helping communities throughout southeast Michigan, and chances to be a leader.

“Overall, OUWB really works as a springboard to catapult students towards success,” he said.

Leah Rotenbakh, M.D., OUWB ’24, said she felt “very honored.” Rotenbakh was recognized for Class of 2024 M2 Award for Outstanding Academic Performance, and for receiving the 2023 - 24 Dean’s Scholarship (awarded by the Corewell Health Foundation).

“There are so many incredible students at OUWB who do amazing things worthy of recognition,” she said. “I’m proud and honored to be here today.”

Another scholarship winner at the event was Salwan Al Hani, M.D., OUWB ’24. He received the W.J. and Lillian Kemler Scholarship (2021-22).

“When medical students are supported financially, it provides the latitude to focus on studies, be more engaged, and generally put your best foot forward,” he said.

Al Hani said he was “really grateful” for the support.

“It came at the right time, and I credit it for allowing me to have an excellent transition into clerkships,” he said.

In addition to students, OUWB faculty, clinical faculty, and staff also were recognized.

Dean’s Distinguished Professor Awards were given to Jason Wasserman, Ph.D., professor, Department of Foundational Medical Studies, and Nelia Afonso, M.D., professor, Department of Foundational Medical Studies.

Afonso called it a privilege to receive the recognition.

“I have been fortunate to be part of this medical school since its inception and I am grateful for the numerous opportunities provided that have fostered my growth as a physician, educator, and researcher,” she said. “I appreciate the dedication and commitment of our faculty and staff, whose support has been instrumental in implementing various curricular innovations.”

“This prestigious recognition is not merely a personal achievement but a testament to the collaborative efforts of our academic community,” added Afonso.

Lori Stec, M.D., professor, Department of Ophthalmology, received the Clinical Science Excellence in Teaching Award.

“It really is an honor to be included in this group of peers whom I have admired for years,” she said. “And it is a nice validation of the time and effort I have put into crafting my clerkship over the last decade or so.”

Stec said she believes training the next generation of physicians is a responsibility for all doctors, and described how it feels to be part of the process.

“It is quite the full circle moment when I have OUWB students match at our residency program and we get to see first-hand how strong their foundation is in medicine,” she said. “It is even more special to have OUWB students join our ranks as faculty members and have students work with them in the OR/clinic or on research.”

Carpenter said hosting the event to honor people like Stec, Afonso, and the students made him feel “humbled to have the opportunity to serve as the OUWB dean, working to support our students, faculty and staff to the best of my abilities as they accomplish great things.”

He hopes the OUWB Honors Convocation helps others feel similar feelings of pride and recognize that OUWB is “fulfilling our mission to develop compassionate physicians who are truly dedicated to improving the health of their communities, collaboration, and lifelong learning.”