Wang, the First Endowed Professor of Burn Surgery, and the University of Michigan Burn Center received the Community Service Award. As director of the Burn Center, Wang has taken a community-centered approach to burn education and support services. “I am privileged to be one of the leaders of this wonderful multidisciplinary team, and this is a recognition for the entire team,” says Wang, who joined the faculty in 1995. “We translate lessons from research as well as patient care into education and policies that can have a positive effect beyond our medical center.” Programs developed at the Burn Center have been adopted by more than 3,000 health professionals in 60 countries.
Chung, who has been on the Michigan faculty for more than 21 years, was honored as Outstanding Clinician for his internationally recognized surgical skill, his effective leadership and teaching, and his genuine compassion for his patients.“Making a difference in the lives of patients is the most critical job we have as physicians,” says Chung, the Charles B. G. de Nancrede Professor of Surgery. “Winning this award exemplifies the expectation of excellence to which our institution wants every physician to aspire. There is no boundary to what we can do.” Chung also considers this accolade a team award. And, he adds, his patients are an important part of his team. “No matter where I am — even overseas — I immediately connect with my team,” he says. “There is no patient who is not called back within minutes. When one chooses to be a physician, this is your life. That patient is yours.” Wang and his team are also wholly invested in providing the best outcomes for each patient. “While all of us on the burn team do our utmost to care for those injured, we recognize our limitations related to complete restoration of a burn patient to their pre-injury state,” he says. “This motivates our team’s work to prevent as many burn injuries as possible and to prepare other communities to optimally care for those situations where prevention efforts have failed.”
Dean’s Awards are highly sought honors, recognizing Medical School faculty and staff who demonstrate exceptional accomplishments in the areas of teaching, research, clinical care, community service and administration. Congratulations to Drs. Chung and Wang!
Kevin Chi Chung, MD, MS
