Wayne State University School of Medicine students, faculty and alumni gathered Feb. 1 for the 2014 Student Senate Gala, a formal celebration that recognized the efforts of the student body as a whole, and honored individuals who made significant contributions to the greater good of the school and community.
(Click here for photos from the event).
Attendees enjoyed a festive evening of dinner, dancing and socializing at Motor City Casino Hotel in Detroit. Vice Dean of Education Maryjean Schenk, M.D., M.P.H., was the evening's guest of honor. An alumnus, faculty member, staff member and two students received the senate's coveted Golden Apple Awards, created to recognize extraordinary individuals who go above and beyond.
The Student Golden Apple Award is given to one underclassman and one upperclassman who balance scholastic achievement with outstanding patient care, community service and leadership qualities. This year's awards went to second-year medical student Gabriella Rubino and fourth-year medical student Robert Guglielmo.
Rubino is a frequent volunteer at Project H, a participant of Street Medicine Detroit and worked at the "Volunteers in Medicine" clinic while on spring break.
"More importantly, she puts her whole heart into all of her activities," said event organizer Joe Tsao, a fourth-year medical student who announced the winners. "She has also been working on starting the Fit Kids 360 program, and has started a photo club for pediatric dialysis patients. She is an Office of Admissions tour guide, and coordinated the 'ACE the OSCE' session. She is the utmost example of one who understands the art of medicine and displays that art through her service to patients of our community. She is the kind of medical student, and person, that I try to be every day."
Guglielmo, the second student award recipient, is president of The Aesculapians Honor Society. "It is without debate that his most distinguishing quality is his unwavering commitment to excellence and compassionate patient care. He actively seeks to increase his understanding of the matters that affect his patients, including cultural, social and financial matters," Tsao said.
The students also honored Diane Levine, M.D., with the Faculty Golden Apple Award, given to a professor or clinician who continuously strives to help students reach the highest academic excellence and inspires them to be better clinicians. Dr. Levine, an associate professor of internal medicine and a 1982 School of Medicine graduate, is director of the school's internal medicine clerkship and vice chair of education for her department. She also is an attending faculty for third-year students in the clerkship and fourth-year students' sub-internship. She teaches and supervises residents on wards and in their ambulatory clinics.
"She always takes time to teach the intangibles of medicine. She expresses great empathy with her patients," said Tsao, a senate representative and social committee co-chair with Alex Lee. "(She) is also a clinical medicine instructor, and an amazing one at that. She regularly travels with the World Health Student Organization, conducts research and overall is an amazing asset to the School of Medicine. I can't think of anyone more deserving of this award."
Class of 2016 counselor Kathleen Connors, L.M.S.W., A.C.S.W., received the Non-Faculty Golden Apple Award, given to a staff member who works tirelessly behind the scenes to help students achieve their academic and career goals, and displays great enthusiasm and continuous dedication. She has worked in the Office of Student Affairs in undergraduate medical education since 2000. She has served on the Career Development Committee of the Commission on the Status of Women, facilitated career development and curriculum vitae-writing workshops and initiated Career Corner, a drop-in medical career advisory service.
"For those who have had the honor of having our awardee as a class counselor, it is clear why she is the most deserving of this honor. More than just pointing students in the right direction, she takes an active role in ensuring that students are supported during their journey through medicine," Tsao said. "Her genuine concern for student morale, words of encouragement and availability to students makes her a shining example of what our students aspire to be for their patients in the future."
Kevin Sprague, M.D., Class of 1980, received the Alumni Golden Apple Award, given to an alumnus or alumna of the School of Medicine who has dedicated himself or herself to the art and service of medicine while, in addition, providing extended and extraordinary service to the school. Dr. Sprague is an orthopedic surgeon who completed his residency through WSU in 1985. He has held several distinguished positions, including as president of the medical staff for Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital. He is a Medical School Alumni Association board member and serves on the School of Medicine Board of Visitors, chairing the Resource Development Committee. Dr. Kevin Sprague, along with wife, Carolyn Sprague, M.D., (Class of 1984), works with the alumni association to support the Alumni Education Fund to provide assistance in relieving medical school debt.
"Having gone through medical school themselves, and having children in medical school, the Spragues understand the great challenge of student debt and strive continuously to help current students," Tsao said.
The gala was sponsored by the Office of the Dean and administration, the Medical School Alumni Association and the Student Senate.