Seven future physicians from Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine have earned recognition for being outstanding students.
Awarded for 2024-25, the group of recipients consisted of four medical students who are now M2s and three who are M3s.
The M2s are Aaryan Patel, Shayaan Aqil, Drew Lewis, and Shreya Srivatsan.
M3s to receive the honor were Elizabeth Theirl, Emily Jagenburg, and two-time recipient Tai Metzger.
Varna Taranikanti, M.D., professor, Department of Foundational Medical Studies, and chair, Committee on Student Awards, said recognizing students with such awards fosters a sense of achievement and motivates them to continue excelling in their academic and professional pursuits.
“These awards highlight the importance of hard work and dedication, encouraging all students to strive for excellence,” she said. “Celebrating student accomplishments … strengthens the sense of community within the medical school, promoting a culture of support and collaboration.”
Recipients generally expressed surprise and gratitude.
“I was honored and grateful to receive this recognition,” said Aqil. “I view it as both an affirmation of the work I had been fortunate to be part of and a responsibility to continue serving, mentoring, and contributing meaningfully to the community.”
“It has remained a source of motivation as I continue to grow, take on new responsibilities, and clarify my purpose in medicine,” he added.
Jagenburg said she was “honestly shocked.”
“It was one of those, ‘Oh my gosh, did I really do this?’ moments,” she said. “It feels incredibly meaningful because it reflects years of long nights, perseverance, and growth.”
“OUWB has shaped me in ways I could not have imagined when I started, and to be recognized for that journey is a huge honor,” she added.
‘Curiosity and drive’
The Outstanding Student Awards have evolved to what they are today after being first given in 2012 as course awards.
The student recognition awards align with the mission and vision at OUWB, reinforcing the values of professionalism, leadership, and inclusivity. Outstanding students are selected based on a rigorous evaluation of nominations received, focusing on professionalism, honors, leadership, scholarship, inclusivity, and service. The selection process includes quantitative criteria such as course director nominations, honors received, and evaluations from peers and faculty. A holistic approach is taken to assess each nominee’s contributions and experiences, ensuring a well-rounded selection of students who embody the mission and vision of OUWB.
Aqil, for example, served as director of Health Advocacy for the Paani Project, a nonprofit focused on sustainable, community driven care in Pakistan. Academically, he contributed to two peer-reviewed publications and ongoing research. He also served as president of the Ophthalmology Interest Group and the American Muslim Medical Student Association, as well as an admissions ambassador at OUWB.
Theirl served as president of the Association of Women Surgeons chapter at OUWB; led the student-run free clinic community garden; worked as a lead tutor for the Anatomical Foundations of Clinical Practice and Organ Systems courses; and volunteered with the No One Dies Alone Program at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital (WBUH) in Royal Oak.
Patel was awarded a competitive summer internship to work with a cardiologist from Harvard University at Massachusetts General Hospital; was co-first author of a study published in Nature Scientific Reports; served as a board member for several student organizations and founded OUWB’s Engineering Medicine Division; and volunteered with numerous groups.
Metzger completed an NIH-funded summer research training program at Joslin Research Center at Harvard Medical School. He was also part of the leadership team for the Christian and Catholic medical student groups at OUWB and volunteered regularly with programs like the Corewell Health Student Heart Check, student-run free clinics, and Street Medicine Oakland.
And through OUWB, Srivatsan volunteered with the La Casa Amiga mentoring program, has been involved with the Kaleidoscope initiative, and served as a Diversity Ambassador.
Outside of OUWB, she’s been a part of the global volunteer organization VT SEVA for the past 10 years. She took on a national role as the Accessible Digital Book Library National Program Coordinator for the U.S. and helped coordinate volunteers and compile accessible digital e-books for the Nethra Vidyalaya school for blind children in India.
She also presented a poster at the Anatomy Connected 2025 International Conference and showcased her artwork, “A Silent Legacy,” as a part of their “Artists of Anatomy” gallery showcase.
“I have to credit (my parents) for instilling the value and importance of volunteerism in me, leading by example and helping extensively throughout our local community,” said Srivatsan.
Jagenburg said she made it a priority to pursue every learning opportunity that aligned with her interests. That included being heavily involved in research across multiple fields and joining multiple student organizations.
“That curiosity and drive have guided my academic growth and preparation for residency,” she said.
‘Deeply grateful’
The award recipients expressed gratitude for those who have helped them along the way.
Lewis, whose service activities include volunteering at the Amigos Medicos Clinic and student-run free clinics, said he was grateful for family support.
“None of them have done medical school but they are all very understanding about the time commitment necessary for it and have never complained about my sudden lack of time to spend with them,” he said. “Instead, they are that much more excited when I can find the time.”
He said he also was grateful for his friends at OUWB “who I've studied, laughed, cried, and triumphed with throughout all of these courses.”
“They've made the time fly by, and I can attest that sharing these experiences with others who truly understand them makes the burden of medical school not so heavy, said Lewis.
Patel thanked mentors, OUWB faculty, and his classmates.
“I definitely would not be handling medical school without their friendship and seeing so many sincerely passionate people around me motivates me to continue to try and do my very best,” he said.
Jagenberg also said she was grateful to friends and family as well as her husband, Luddy, “who has supported me selflessly through every step of this journey.”
“I am (also) deeply grateful for the mentors, classmates, and staff at OUWB who continuously challenge and support me,” she said. “Growing alongside such an inspiring community has been one of the most meaningful parts of my medical education.”
For more information, contact Andrew Dietderich, senior marketing specialist, OUWB, at [email protected].
To request an interview, visit the OUWB Communications & Marketing webpage.
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