An Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine professor was honored at the 2019 Women of Impact awards hosted by the Joyce Ivy Foundation — an Ann Arbor-based nonprofit committed to academic advancement and leadership development of young women from the Midwest.

The honoree was Asha Shajahan, M.D., MHSA, a board-certified family physician, assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Foundational Medical Studies at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, and medical director of Community Health for the Beaumont Hospital in Grosse Pointe.

She was one of four to receive the Women of Impact award that recognizes the achievements of rising female leaders who have demonstrated professional talent and a commitment to improving their communities.

Shajahan has dedicated her medical career to improving population health.

“I felt humbled and honored to be amongst such influential women,” Shajahan said. “Service to others is what drives me, and I'm so happy that people find work for the underserved to be valuable.”

The 2019 Women of Impact recipients were honored at the 14th Summer Scholars Gala held May 18 in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

The other award recipients were Anna Clark, journalist and author of “The Poisoned City: Flint’s Water and the American Urban Tragedy”; Allison Drutchas, policy and product counsel, Waymo; and Stella Safari, director of gBETA Detroit.

“We are delighted to honor this impressive group of women” said Emily Taylor, a member of the Joyce Ivy Foundation Board of Directors and Women of Impact Selection Committee. “The Woman of Impact Award highlights the impact women can have in their professions and communities — even at an early stage in their careers. Our 2019 recipients have a deep commitment to social impact and reflect careers in entrepreneurship, journalism, medicine, and law. We know the Joyce Ivy Scholars will be inspired by their work and passion.”

Shajahan’s interest in health policy and health disparities first led her to intern for former U.S. Senator Carl Levin, D-Mich., in Washington D.C. She was also a senior healthcare intern for the office of former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, where she worked to augment health care access for people who were uninsured in Detroit.

Her passion for homeless and vulnerable populations has led her to create many initiatives, including the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) Arts and Health Symposium that empowers clinicians on how to use art modalities in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, and Dance Medicine, MD, which connects underserved populations with exercise opportunities and health care expertise.

She is also the co-host of Beaumont Health’s first podcast, Beaumont House Call, which focuses on a variety of health topics including loneliness, fertility, weight loss, and bullying to empower the community to live smarter and healthier lives.

Shajahan is a native of Michigan and completed her faculty fellowship in underserved populations at the University of California, San Diego. She also has a master’s degree in Health Services Administration from St. Joseph’s College.

During the Summer Scholars Gala, Shajahan appeared in a video montage.

She offered advice for young female summer scholars leaving home for the first time, and what she would tell her high school self.

Shajahan also spoke on how one can tell when success has been attained.

“Success is when passion meets purpose,” she said. “So, when who you are aligns with what you give back to the world…that’s when you’ve reached success.”

Shajahan also addressed her hope for the next generation of female leaders.

“My hope for the next generation of female leaders is that they lead through service,” she said. “So, as you’re achieving your dreams, you’re helping others achieve theirs. Your legacy is really how many people you touch, and how many people you help. As women, we can continue to empower each other and we can help each other grow.”