Recognizing outstanding achievements is always a significant event, particularly at Texas A&M School of Engineering Medicine, where excellence and dedication to becoming a physicianeer is a challenging skill. The 2024 M4 Student Awards ceremony was a wonderful celebration of excellence, where students from various medical disciplines were recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions.
Under the guidance of Associate Dean, Dr. Timothy Boone from Houston Methodist, the ceremony began with the presentation of awards for excellence in specific medical specialties, each highlighting the exceptional performance and dedication of the recipients.
Outstanding Student Awardees:
Emergency Medicine: Austin Hughes displayed outstanding skills and dedication in the fast-paced environment of emergency medicine.
Family Medicine: Caleb Haeussler demonstrated a profound understanding of holistic patient care within family medicine.
Internal Medicine: Madeline Franke showcased exceptional competence and compassion in the intricate field of internal medicine.
Obstetrics and Gynecology: Medha Narwankar and Vasiliki Anemikos, representing Willowbrook, were recognized for their outstanding achievements in women’s health.
Pediatrics: Kevin Birdsall’s commitment to the health and well-being of children earned him this prestigious accolade in pediatrics.
Psychiatry: Omar Hamza’s empathy and insight in psychiatry were acknowledged with this honorable award.
Radiology: Brianna Peacock’s proficiency in interpreting medical images and aiding diagnosis stood out in the field of radiology.
Surgery: Kayla Callaway’s surgical skills and dedication to patient care were celebrated with this honor.
Intensive Care: Austin Hughes’ excellence extended to the critical care domain, earning him double recognition for his exceptional skills.
In addition to these outstanding awards, Dr. Boone also presented special distinctions to students who exhibited stellar performance and achievements in their academic journey.
Special Student Awards:
Outstanding Honors Achievement: Austin Hagen and Kevin Birdsall were recognized for their exceptional dedication and performance in their studies, setting a high standard for academic excellence.
Special Distinctions Award for Rural Medicine: Caleb Haeussler’s commitment to serving rural communities was acknowledged with this special award, reflecting his dedication to addressing healthcare disparities.
Department of Medical Education Scholarship Award – Research Grant: Vasiliki Anemikos and Medha Narwankar were honored for their contributions to medical research, exemplifying the importance of academic inquiry in advancing healthcare knowledge and practice.
The 2024 Student Awards ceremony celebrated individual achievements and underscored the importance of hard work, dedication, and continuous learning in the medical profession. As these physicianeers embark on their careers, they will always carry the accolades they’ve received today and the responsibility to uphold the highest standards of excellence and integrity in their field.
One example is Caleb Haeussler. His journey highlights the power of curiosity and commitment. When asked about his feelings upon receiving the award, Haeussler expressed deep gratitude, recognizing the privilege of learning from exceptional educators at EnMed. “I feel very honored to have been recognized with these awards,” he says, “It has been a privilege to work under so many of the wonderful preceptors, and I aspire to be like them through continued hard work in my specialty.”
Haeussler continues to encourage fellow students to embrace every opportunity to learn, regardless of the specialty, as each experience contributes to growth and development. “I think showing up with the mindset of an eager learner and being as engaged as possible in-patient care were tremendous assets to me on these rotations.”
Another example is Medha Narwankar. Her passion for obstetrics and gynecology shines as she reflects on her journey by saying, “I am beyond honored to have received this award for OB/GYN,” she exclaims. For Narwankar, this recognition affirms her commitment to providing empathetic and comprehensive care to her future patients.
The EnMed program has helped develop her skills and positioned her to evolve as a physicianeer. “I am fortunate to have a large group of mentors to support and guide me these past four years. I am so incredibly indebted to the time they have spent mentoring me,” as Narwankar expresses her sincere appreciation to her mentors at Houston Methodist.
For Kevin Birdsall, his award in pediatrics was a moment of profound gratitude and humility. Recognizing the caliber of his peers, he felt humbled to be chosen among them. “This award was truly such an honor,” Birdsall shares, “There must have been so many qualified candidates, and to be selected from among them is humbling.”
He acknowledges the role of exceptional faculty members who nurtured his interest and understanding of pediatrics. “God blessed me with such wonderful people, not only in this clerkship but all of medical school!” he reflects gratefully.
Congratulations to all the 2024 awardees for their outstanding accomplishments and may these physicianeers continue to inspire and make meaningful contributions to the medical community and beyond!