Doctor of the Future

An OUWB medical student recently received the inaugural Paul Misch M.D. Doctor of the Future Award for her work during a clerkship at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital.

Nikki Haggerty, M4, received the recognition on Nov. 17, during the hospital’s medical staff meeting.

The award was presented by Srikala Yedavally, D.O., assistant professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, and clerkship director for Family Medicine Undergraduate Medical Education. 

“This is a wonderful thing that we’re able to do…recognize the contributions that our medical students make to our hospitals and to our offices,” she said.

“Integrity, compassion, and a commitment to being the best that you could possibly be…Nikki, that’s what we saw in you,” said Yedevally. “These are the qualities emerging in you as a developing physician.”

Prior to the award presentation, Haggerty — who plans to specialize in psychiatry — said she felt “more than honored.”

“I’m stunned and truly humbled,” she said. “I know how much work all my fellow classmates put in, and I know many people that deserve this award. I’m just more than excited to be representing everyone at OUWB by being here.”

‘Comprehensive, compassionate care to our patients’

Yedevally said the award is specifically for OUWB students who have their family medicine and/or OB clerkships at Troy, which accounts for slightly more than half of all OUWB students. The remaining students participate in clerkships at Corewell Health Beaumont Grosse Pointe Hospital.

Clerkship directors will be in charge of selecting future recipients, just as they were with Haggerty. Going forward, the award is expected to be given twice a year.

The award’s origins trace back to Joseph Love, M.D., president of the medical staff at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital.

 Love said there was one big reason for creating the award.

“We saw some stars coming through and really wanted to give them (recognition) because we had a good feeling about them,” he said.

Vashali Bhargava, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and OB clerkship director at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital, explained the qualities recipients possess.

“The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding performance by our M3 students and further encourage the pursuit of knowledge,” she said. “The recipients of this award demonstrate the ability to integrate medical knowledge, enthusiasm, kindness, and compassion to ultimately enhance the care delivered to our patients.”

With that background, Love said it made sense to name such an award after Paul Misch, M.D.

Duane Mezwa, M.D., Stephan Sharf Dean, OUWB, and Haggerty. (Photo by Andrew Dietderich)

‘Exciting and humbling’

Misch worked in the hospital for nearly 40 years. Prior to what he calls a “semi-retirement” in 2001, Misch also served as founding chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, had a significant role in establishing OUWB as a member of the school’s planning team, and chaired the OUWB executive committee.

Yedevally said Misch “exemplified what every physician should be, which is to provide comprehensive, compassionate care to our patients.”

“We want to see those qualities embodied in OUWB students, regardless of what specialty they go into,” she said.

Now living in Indiana, Misch traveled to Troy to attend the meeting where the award named in his honor was presented.

“Teaching and watching our future doctors grow and succeed is something that means a lot to me,” he said. “To have this award that focuses on that, and is named after me, is exciting and humbling.”

Misch also said he’s proud of OUWB’s continued evolution, as reflected in students like Haggerty.

“Our students are highly respected wherever they go, they’re attractive to top residencies, and they do well in those residencies,” he said. “OUWB is doing a great jo training our future doctors.”