Honors Convocation celebrates ‘beautiful things’ achieved by OUWB students, faculty

Thursday, May 11, 2023

An image of Adam Wahl being promoted during Honors Convocation

Three students participated in the military promotion ceremony including Adam Wahl, M4, who was promoted to lieutenant in the U.S. Navy.

Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine held its 2023 Honors Convocation Thursday, paying tribute to students and faculty with exceptional achievements.

More than 250 people attended the 90-minute event held at Oakland University’s Oakland Center.

The event is held annually on the day before the school’s commencement ceremony for the year’s graduating class.

The OUWB Honors Convocation recognized everything from outstanding student and faculty achievements to excellence in diversity. (See complete list below.)

Two awards presented were new this year: the Dean’s Distinguished Professor Award (Douglas Gould, Ph.D., professor and chair, Department of Foundational Medical Studies), and the Compass Service Honors, which were given to graduating students who completed more than 150 hours of community service during their time at OUWB.

Duane Mezwa, M.D., Stephan Sharf Dean, OUWB, said he took time during the ceremony to “think about all of the beautiful things we’re celebrating here.” Namely, he said, the “kind, caring, compassionate physicians” that graduate from OUWB.

“As the dean of Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, it is a privilege to be here today to celebrate the outstanding achievements of faculty, staff, and medical students from all four of our classes,” he said.

Students expressed gratitude for the formal recognition of their achievements.

Margaret Bohr, M4, received recognition for several accomplishments: induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society; Compass Service Honors; Class of 2023 M1 Award for Outstanding Academic Performance; Award for Outstanding Performance in the Diagnostic Medicine Clerkship; and Glasgow-Rubin Certificate of Commendation for Academic Achievement.

“It all feels unreal to have been just starting medical school four years ago and now be at the end of the road,” she said.

“I’ve made a ton of great friends and had a lot of support…it’s exciting to be here celebrating with everybody.”

Amelia Najor, M4, shared similar thoughts. Najor was recognized for receiving the OUWB Community Student Scholarship, and Award for Outstanding Performance in the Surgery Clerkship.

“Being recognized for all of the hard work and effort we put in seals the deal…we’re going to be doctors tomorrow,” she said. “For everyone to recognize that we’ve worked really hard…it feels good to be recognized. I’m very happy.”

Not all students recognized will be part of OUWB’s 2023 commencement on Friday. Kevin Van and Fanny Huang, both M2s, each received an Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion Student Award.

An image of the audience at honors convocation

More than 250 people attended the OUWB 2023 Honors Convocation on May 11, 2023.

David Howell, M2, received the Michele D. Raible Award. The award is named in honor of Raible, founding associate dean, OUWB, who died from complications from Acute Myeloid Leukemia just before the school welcomed its first class.

The award annually goes to a student who best personifies what Raible brought to the school — someone who is compassionate, cares deeply about others, demonstrates a true love of learning, and functions as a mentor for their classmates.

“It’s truly an honor because there are so many qualified people,” said Howell. “Just to be considered is a privilege, but to be nominated and then receive the award is really something else.”

Students also were recognized for induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Mallory Evans, M4, was recognized for receiving the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award.

Three students participated in the military promotion ceremony: Benjamin Collaer, promoted to captain in the U.S. Air Force; Adam Wahl, promoted to lieutenant in the U.S. Navy; and Brianna Walter, promoted to captain, U.S. Army.

Recognition of Distinguished Service Awards were given Mezwa, Robert McAuley, Ph.D., associate dean, Institutional Effectiveness and Technology, and Ronald Samarian, M.D., chair and associate professor, Department of Psychiatry. All three are retiring.