Graduation Awards honoree, M.D./Ph.D. to be, eager to serve vulnerable populations

Fourth-year medical student Devika Priya Bagchi acknowledges that she is fortunate to have had access to top-quality healthcare, education, and social support during her life, factors which have allowed her to thrive and achieve her goals.

One of those goals becomes reality on Friday, May 13, when Bagchi crosses the stage at Hill Auditorium to become Dr. Devika Bagchi. She is one of 162 medical students who will participate in Medical School Commencement, which returns to Hill for an in-person program for the first time since 2019. Faculty, staff, fellow learners, and the Michigan Medicine community also can watch the ceremony live on YouTube at 3 p.m.: https://youtu.be/AFWd-4w4ZEs. 

With her diploma in hand and her residency in pediatrics set to begin this summer at Boston Children’s Hospital, Bagchi will continue her efforts to give back and help others, including those who do not have the best access to top-quality healthcare, education, and social support.

“My journey in medicine has been driven by both a desire and a sense of responsibility to serve vulnerable populations and to find ways to overcome barriers to healthcare access and science education,” she says. “As I have learned about the journey that has led each patient to a seat in front of me, I have gained a deeper understanding of the various barriers to healthcare that many patients face and the importance of holistic care and advocacy.”

During her time at Michigan, the native of Champaign, Ill., founded SEEK (Science Education & Engagement for Kids), a student-run organization that provides hands-on science lessons and longitudinal mentorship to elementary school children in local low-resource classrooms. She is grateful for the opportunities and institutional support to become involved in and lead local community engagement projects such as SEEK. 

“I learned firsthand how to develop and implement an interdisciplinary program and to effectively work alongside community organizations to give voice to and uplift the most vulnerable members of our community,” she says. “More importantly, I have come away with a much deeper understanding of the institutional and societal barriers that many children and their families face, as well as a determination to meaningfully address social determinants of health in my future practice.”

Bagchi also earned a Ph.D. in the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology as one of 16 graduates of the Medical Scientist Training Program for 2022. She studied in the laboratory of Ormond MacDougald, Ph.D., studying the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in adipocyte function, with the goal of understanding molecular underpinnings of obesity and molecular disease. She hopes to apply her research background in lipid biology, fatty acid metabolism, and intercellular crosstalk to the biology of pediatric cancers. 

“With each patient, I have also found myself driven by a desire to understand the ‘why’ behind illness. Scientific research has allowed me to delve deeper into the pathophysiology of illnesses that often transcend all boundaries, including ethnicity, geography, and socioeconomic status, and silently wreak havoc on the bodies of so many of our patients,” she says. “As a physician-scientist, I hope to walk hand-in-hand with my future patients, advocating for and providing them with culturally competent and holistic care while pushing forward our understanding of disease pathogenesis through novel paths of scientific inquiry.”

Bagchi will graduate as one of the Class of 2022’s most-decorated students. She is the recipient of the George R. DeMuth Medical Scientist Award for Excellence and the Harry A. Towsley Award. She also is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha — the national honor medical society — and will graduate with distinction in both service and research.

A full list of student and faculty awards, with descriptions, follows:

Student Awards

Dean’s Award for Research Excellence
This award is given by the faculty to those students who have made outstanding research contributions during their medical school career.

Dean's Commendation for Excellence in Clinical Skills and the Art of Medicine
This award is given to ten percent of senior students, based on top Comprehensive Clinical Assessment (CCA) scores and clinical grades from the required junior clerkships, for outstanding skills in verbal communication with patients, interviewing, counseling, and physical diagnosis.     

Jennie DeBlanc
Paulina Devlin
Kelsey Gradwohl
Laura Claire Hayward
Kelsey Jane Herbert
Clare Jacobson
Adrienne Jarocki
Jonathon Patrick McBride
Samir Redmond Nath
Cayla Marie Pichan
Robert Porter
Aditi S. Rao
Karin Roszell
Roshun Rajiv Sankaran
Alanna Shefler
Benjamin P. Tooke
Eric A. Wilson Jr.

Erica Odukoya

George R. DeMuth Medical Scientist Award for Excellence
This award honors Dr. George R. DeMuth, the founding Director of the University of Michigan Medical Scientist Training Program. The award is given to a graduating senior in the University of Michigan Medical Scientist Training Program who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in research and who exhibits the personal and professional qualities desired in the complete physician. The recipient’s name is inscribed on a plaque which is displayed in the Taubman Health Sciences Library. 

Devika Priya Bagchi

Paul DeWolf Award
In memory of Paul DeWolf, a member of the Class of 2014, this award was created by the Student Council to honor the most unique and extraordinary qualities that he possessed. Paul was an “includer”, someone who used his enthusiasm for life to rally everyone around himself and help people contribute their voice on equal ground. He was also tireless in his dedication to patient-centered care, going the extra mile to connect on a much deeper level with each and every one of his patients. And he had an indefatigable “joie-de-vivre” with an infectious attitude of play hard and work hard. Most of all, he strove to improve himself for the purpose of bettering the condition of others. This award is presented every year to a senior who best exemplifies these attributes. The award consists of a certificate; the recipient’s name is inscribed on the Paul DeWolf Award Plaque, which is displayed in the Taubman Health Sciences Library.

Erica Odukoya

Ralph M. Gibson Award
This award honors Dr. Ralph Gibson, a distinguished African American faculty member in the Department of Pediatrics who also served as an Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in the Medical School. Dr. Gibson consistently emphasized the pursuit of academic excellence and demonstrated a concern for all students, their health, welfare, and career development. The award is presented to the senior student(s) who has best demonstrated these same qualities and who has had a dedication to addressing the health disparities experienced by minority and disadvantaged populations in the United States.

Erica Odukoya

Patrick John Niland Award
This award is presented in memory of Patrick John Niland, a member of the Class of 1986, who died in an automobile accident. This award was established by the Class of 1986 to recognize the important attributes that Pat possessed: a cheerful, friendly demeanor and a patient, honest, and compassionate approach to medicine. It is given annually to a senior student who, in the eyes of the graduating class, best exemplifies these traits. This award consists of a certificate; the recipient's name is inscribed on the Patrick John Niland Award Plaque, which is displayed in the Taubman Health Sciences Library. 

Kelsey Jane Herbert

Sujal Parikh Award
This award is presented in memory of Sujal Parikh, a member of the Class of 2011, who died as a result of an accident while serving as a Fogarty Fellow in Uganda. This award was established by Student Council and the Class of 2011 to recognize the spirit and passion that Sujal dedicated to issues of Social Justice, Global Health, and collegiality. It is given annually to a senior who, in the eyes of the graduating class, best exemplifies these traits. The award consists of a certificate; the recipient’s name is inscribed on the Sujal Parikh Award Plaque, which is displayed in the Taubman Health Sciences Library.

Gary M. Graca

Dr. Jane Skillen Award
This award honors Dr. Jane Skillen, a 1928 graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School. Dr. Skillen was an Irish immigrant who came to the United States at the age of 16, and worked diligently to support herself and eventually earn her undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Michigan. Dr. Skillen had a highly accomplished career as a thoracic surgeon in California. Her achievements stemmed from strength of character and a love of medicine, and her children honored her by establishing this award.

Alma Nallely Torres

Andrew J. Zweifler Award for Excellence in Clinical Skills
This award is given to a graduating senior who has consistently demonstrated outstanding care and competence in verbal communication with patients in terms of interviewing and counseling, as well as excellence in physical diagnosis. The recipient’s name is inscribed on a plaque which is displayed in the Taubman Health Sciences Library. 

Adrienne Jarocki

Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award presented by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation
This award honors one graduating medical student who best demonstrates the ideals of outstanding compassion in the delivery of care and respect for patients, their families, and health care colleagues, as well as demonstrated clinical excellence. The recipient receives a certificate and a cash award made possible by a gift from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation.

Linda Camaj Deda

Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS)
The GHHS recognizes students who practice patient-centered care by modeling the qualities of integrity, excellence, compassion, altruism, respect, and empathy. Members are nominated by their peers for being a person they would like by their side in a medical emergency, who personifies good patient care, shows exceptional interest in community service, and a classmate they would want as the doctor of their loved ones. 

Arjun Rohit Adapa
Ruth Bishop
Joshua Lois Bourque
Erin Lee Currey
Linda Camaj Deda
Lia Delaney
Paulina Devlin
Taania Girgla
Gary M. Graca
Rebecca Justice Howland
Alexandria Catherine Kolenda
Ajay Kolli
Jonathan Patrick McBride
Aliya Moreira
Erica Odukoya
Adel Qalieh
Emmanuel Mensah Quaye
Jessica Mei Quinn
Alexander W.T. Reardon
Bridger Michael Rodoni
John Stevens Runge
Arianna Strome
Vy T. Tran Plata
Henry Gabriel Valora Tapia
Kevin Walsh

Graduation with Distinction
The Graduation with Distinction Honor is awarded to the top 10% of students based primarily on grade point average.

Graduation with Distinction in Medical Education
The Graduation with Distinction in Medical Education Honor is awarded to 10% of the class based on the students’ commitment to medical education research and evaluation, involvement with innovation in education and academic program development, and exceptional teaching skills in clinical and non-clinical settings.

Arjun Rohit Adapa
Devika Priya Bagchi*
Alec Max Bernard
Katharine Krevans Brieger*
Benjamin Abraham Yufit Cher
Juno Cho
Lia Delaney
Michael Dieterle*
Carl George Engelke*
Mark Walid Farha
Steven Joseph Grzegorski*
Clare Jacobson
Taylor Alyse Jamerson
Ajay Kolli
Henry Kuang*
Jeremy V. Lynn
Daniel Moisés Lyons*
Anna Catherine McCarter*
Ross Ellery Michaels
Aliya Moreira
Nicole Marie Mott
Samir Redmond Nath*
Eric T. Perkey*
Robert Porter*
John Stevens Runge
Fred Yonghe Shen*
Ronald Francis Siebenaler*
Ethan Douglas Sperry*
Arianna Strome
Charles Wang*
Phillip Yang
Yingchao Zhong*

Graduation with Distinction in Service
The Graduation with Distinction in Service Honor is awarded to 10% of the class based on the students’ service to the community and the medical school, drawn from the students’ curriculum vitae and letters of support.

Jennie DeBlanc

Academic Recognition Awards
Academic Recognition Awards are presented to the top five graduates who have demonstrated academic excellence throughout the four years of their medical education.

Arjun Rohit Adapa
Jennie DeBlanc
Clare Jacobson
Nicole Marie Mott
Robert Porter
Eric A. Wilson Jr.

Ruth Bishop

Departmental Awards

American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Medical Student Prize for Excellence in Neurology
This award is given to a graduating medical student who exemplifies outstanding scientific achievement and clinical acumen in neurology or neuroscience, outstanding personal qualities of integrity, compassion, and leadership. 

Samir Redmond Nath

Roger A. Berg Prize in Radiology
This award is given each year to a fourth-year medical student or students for outstanding performance in Radiology. The award is made possible through a gift from Dr. Roger A. Berg, a University of Michigan Medical School alumnus.

Kathryn Allena Quanstrom
Raymond Gene Sun 

C. Gardner Child 3rd Award
The career and dedication of Dr. Child, former Chair of Surgery, are honored in this award to a graduating senior or seniors for outstanding performance in the junior clerkship, senior electives, and research in Surgery. 

Nicole Marie Mott

Terence C. Davies, M.D. Award
This award, in honor of the founding Chair of the Department of Family Medicine, is presented to a graduating senior or seniors for clinical and scholarly excellence in family medicine. These students exemplify the qualities of the outstanding family physician: dedication to patient needs, intellectual curiosity, personal integrity, community service, and leadership. 

Alyssa Nicole Warburton

Henry Fitzbutler Award for Excellence in Hospital Medicine
This award is conferred upon the fourth-year medical student who best displayed clinical and scholarly excellence in the field of Hospital Medicine. The award honors the life and accomplishments of Dr. Henry Fitzbutler who was the first African American to graduate from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1872. He then went on to establish both a hospital and medical school in Kentucky. 

Fred Yonghe Shen

Furlong/Miller Leadership Award
The Furlong/Miller Leadership Award is presented to a graduating medical student demonstrating qualities of leadership, advocacy and activism representing the vision of former UMMS Dean James O. Woolliscroft to integrate leadership training into the curriculum. Dr. Harold A. Furlong, a UMMS graduate, received the Congressional Medal of Honor in WWI and established an OB/GYN practice in Pontiac, Michigan. Dr. Norman F. Miller, a UMMS graduate, served as Chair of the department 1931-1964. Both Furlong and Miller have UMMS professorships endowed in their names. 

Paulina Devlin

Albert C. Furstenberg Award
This award is given to a medical student for outstanding performance in Otolaryngology. Scholastic achievement, clinical work, and research efforts are considered in addition to interest in Otolaryngology. 

Andrew Neevel

Robert I. Goldsmith, M.D. Award
This award is given by the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences to a senior medical student who has demonstrated outstanding scientific achievement or clinical prowess in ophthalmology and visual sciences. This student exhibits a high level of integrity, compassion, and intellectual curiosity towards optimizing vision and preventing and curing eye disease. The award is in honor of Dr. Robert I. Goldsmith, a distinguished alumnus and loyal friend of the W. K. Kellogg Eye Center.

Adrienne Jarocki

Timothy R. B. Johnson Global Women’s Health Award
The Timothy R. B. Johnson Global Women’s Health Award is presented to a graduating medical student recognizing their authentic global engagement and anticipating their future contributions embodying Dr. Johnson’s vision of global academic partnerships and his commitment to safe motherhood and global women’s health.

Jennie DeBlanc
Erica Odukoya 

Edgar A. Kahn Award
This award is given each year in memory of Dr. Kahn, former Chief of Neurosurgery, to a senior medical student(s) for outstanding performance in clinical or laboratory work in Neurosurgery.

Arjun Rohit Adapa

William Dodd Robinson Award
This award is given by the faculty of the Department of Internal Medicine to a graduating senior or seniors for outstanding performance in the junior medicine clerkship and senior electives in Internal Medicine. The award honors Dr. William Robinson, Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine from 1958 to 1975.

Eric A. Wilson Jr.

Eli G. Rochelson Memorial Award
This award is given for the most outstanding performance in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine by a graduating medical student. It honors Dr. Rochelson, a pulmonary physician and father of an alumnus of our school. 

Emmanuel Mensah Quaye

SAEM Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award
The members of the Department of Emergency Medicine honor a graduating senior for outstanding performance in the specialty of Emergency Medicine. This award is sponsored by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine. 

Grace Carey

Robert B. Sweet Award
This award is given to a senior medical student who has shown the highest achievement and the greatest potential in the field of Anesthesiology. The award is in honor of Dr. Robert B. Sweet, the founding Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology.

Taania Girgla

William B. Taylor Dermatology Clinical Science Award
The faculty of the Department of Dermatology honors a graduating senior medical student(s) for outstanding performance in Dermatology clinical science. The award honors Dr. William B. Taylor, a faculty member of the department from 1950 to 1992 and recipient of the National Dermatology Teacher Award. 

John Stevens Runge

Harry A. Towsley Award
This award is given by the faculty of the Department of Pediatrics to senior students for outstanding performance in the junior Pediatrics clerkship and senior Pediatrics elective. The award is named in honor of Dr. Harry A. Towsley, a distinguished member of the Department of Pediatrics from 1935 to 1972. 

Devika Priya Bagchi

Raymond W. Waggoner Award
This award is given by the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry to a graduating senior for distinguished performance in psychiatry. This award honors Dr. Raymond W. Waggoner, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry from 1937 to 1969.

Alana Zora Slavin

Warner/Goldberg Women’s Health Program Award for Excellence and Commitment to Women’s Health
This award is given to a graduating senior(s) for their outstanding academic achievement and commitment to the ideals of its sponsor, the University of Michigan Center of Excellence in Women’s Health. It is named for Patricia Warner, former Associate Hospital Director, UMHS, and Dr. Edward Goldberg, founding Chief of the Division of Women’s Health, in recognition of their vital roles in the initiation and success of the Women’s Health Program.                                    

Hillary Sarah Weiner

Wiegenstein Leadership in Emergency Medicine Award
This award is presented to the graduating medical student who best demonstrates the potential for leadership in emergency medicine, as exemplified by Dr. John Wiegenstein, University of Michigan Medical School Class of 1960, a pioneer in the field of emergency medicine. 

Alexandra S. Farthing

J. Robert Willson Award for Outstanding Achievement in Obstetrics and Gynecology
The J. Robert Willson Award, in honor of the former Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, is given to a senior student(s) for outstanding performance in Obstetrics and Gynecology. A UMMS Professorship is established in his name. 

Sloane Alexandra Brazina

Faculty Awards

Senior Year Award
This award is given each year to the faculty member below the rank of associate professor who, in the opinion of the graduating class, has best upheld the ideals of medical education.

Adam Baruch, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology

The American Medical Women's Association Gender Equity Award
This award honors faculty members who promote equality in the education and training of physicians by assuring equal opportunities for women and men to study and practice medicine. The selection of the recipient(s) is made by our local AMWA chapter.

Daphna Stroumsa, M.D., MPH
Clinical Lecturer of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Elizabeth Crosby Award
This award honors Elizabeth Crosby, Ph.D., the Medical School’s pioneering, and much-beloved teacher of Neuroanatomy. This award is presented to a Medical School faculty member for outstanding teaching of medical students in the basic sciences. The Galens Medical Society selects the recipient of this award. 

Madelyn Lew, M.D.
Associate Professor of Pathology

Kaiser-Permanente Awards for Excellence in Teaching
Two awards are given each year, one for preclinical teaching and one for clinical teaching. The recipients are honored for their dedication to quality teaching, enthusiasm for students, and their continuing effort to improve the knowledge and experience of each medical student.

Lauren Heidemann, M.D.
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine

Cornelius James, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Pediatrics 

Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award presented by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation
This award honors one faculty member who best demonstrates the ideals of outstanding compassion in the delivery of care and respect for patients, their families, and health care colleagues, as well as demonstrated clinical excellence.

Michael D. Fetters, M.D., MPH, M.A.
Professor of Family Medicine

Bronze Beeper and Golden Beeper Awards
The Michigan Medicine Alumni Society (MMAS), in conjunction with the Galens Medical Society, annually recognize the resident physicians viewed as the best teachers, leaders and patient care providers by presenting them with Golden and Bronze Beeper Awards. The awardees are selected by a vote of M3 and M4 Galens members. Those top twelve house officers who are most responsive to the needs and requests of the students receive a Beeper Award. The 2022 winners of the Bronze Beeper are listed below, with the Golden Beeper winners denoted with asterisks:

Adam Baruch, M.D.*
Ashley Dehudy, M.D.
Farokh Demehri, M.D.
Amit Gupta, M.D
Arielle Kanters, M.D. *
Emma Lawrence, M.D.
Roy Lirov, M.D.
Brandon Moss, M.D.
Charles Mouch, M.D.
Matthew Ralls, M.D.
Priyanka Rao, M.D.
Jessica Voit, M.D.