An Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine professor has been named Michigan Family Medicine Educator of the Year by the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians.
Srikala Yedavally-Yellayi, D.O., received the award Aug. 3 during the Michigan Family Medicine Conference & Expo at Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire, Michigan.
Yedavally-Yellayi is an assistant professor in the OUWB Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, a Global Health Director, and Clerkship Director for Family Medicine Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME).
Michigan Academy of Family Physicians — which says it is the largest medical specialty organization in the state — presents the award each year to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to family medicine undergraduate, graduate, and/or continuing education in Michigan.
“Dr. Yedavally-Yellayi is an extraordinary and highly respected family medicine educator and volunteer leader,” said Dana Lawrence, director of communications, MAFP. “We, at Michigan Academy of Family Physicians and Family Medicine Foundation of Michigan, have had the privilege of working with her as a medical student extern mentor, delegate to the American Academy of Family Physicians’ National Conference of Constituency Leaders, committee member, and partner in hosting our annual Michigan Future of Family Medicine Conference for medical students.
“It was an honor for MAFP and FMFM to present this award to Dr. Yedavally-Yellayi and celebrate with her,” Lawrence added.
Yedavally-Yellayi has been in academic family practice for 20 years. She previously served as osteopathic director of medical education at Beaumont Health, Troy Family Medicine Residency. In addition to OUWB, she also holds clinical appointments at Wayne State University School of Medicine and Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Recipients of the Michigan Family Medicine Educator of the Year award are nominated. Lawrence said winners are chosen by MAFP’s 20-member board of directors.
Yedavally-Yellayi said she knew she was nominated because the person who nominated her told her.
“That, in itself, was really special…to hear someone that I work with speak highly of me,” she said.
She said winning the award was “really gratifying.”
“I’ve been doing this for 20 years and it’s very gratifying to be recognized by my professional organization,” Yedavally-Yallayi said.
In accepting the award, Yedavally-Yellayi said she thanked the person who nominated her, as well as those with whom she works regularly.
“When you’re surrounded by people who support you, I think you do a better job,” she said. “And so they get as much credit for the award as I do, in some ways.”
A board-certified family physician, Yedavally-Yellayi earned her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1989. She completed family medicine residency in 1998 at Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn, where she was chief resident, and internal medicine residency in 1991 at Henry Ford Hospital. She also holds a master’s in medical education from University of Pennsylvania and is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
For more information, contact Andrew Dietderich, marketing writer, OUWB, at [email protected].
