Regina Wang, a 2017 graduate of the Wayne State University School of Medicine's M.D.-M.P.H. dual-degree program, was awarded the United States National Excellence in Public Health Service Award for her commitment to integrating public health with primary care practice.
Wang is the fourth Wayne State University School of Medicine student to receive the award, conferred by the U.S. Public Health Service for participation in programs that support the philosophy and goals of its Healthy People 2020 and National Prevention Strategy programs. Nominations are evaluated based on the level of leadership demonstrated, the impact of the student's work and the student's commitment to a career in public health/preventive medicine.
She will begin a Family Medicine residency at Kaiser Permanente Hospital and Medical Center in Fontana, Calif., this summer.
Wang was recognized for her leadership and dedication to Raising Our Community's Knowledge, a student organization also known as ROCK that focuses on hosting educational programs on health topics in the metropolitan Detroit community.
"We put together the materials keeping in mind our audience's health literacy level, which ranges from grade school students to elderly adults. Additionally, we have incorporated various delivery methods, such as the teach back method, use of small hands-on stations, and take home cards, to ensure the community members are understanding the health topics being discussed. As health care providers, it is crucial for us to be aware of how best to effectively educate our patients on health material, hence the importance of ROCK's programs," she said.
Wang was surprised and honored to be nominated for the prestigious recognition by Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences Juliann Binienda, Ph.D.
"I have enjoyed my work with Regina and find her determination, enthusiasm and concern for the public's health refreshing and rejuvenating. She is the primary care physician of the future. She truly embraces and lives the integration of public health and patient care," Dr. Binienda said. "Because of her ability to integrate her medical training with her public health program, Regina facilitated interprofessional community health education programs, with medical and public health students working together to plan and deliver the programs. This demonstrates her competency in applying the joint degree into actual practice. She is committed to practicing as a primary care physician who will work on behalf of her own patients and also the communities in which they live."