Doctor-to-be, Graduation Awards honoree excited for future – Michigan Medicine Headlines

Holly Roberts’ journey to become a doctor has come full circle during her time as a medical student at U-M — by distance and also by how she learned the art and practice of medicine.

Roberts, a native of Hudson, New Hampshire, soon will return “home” to begin a residency in pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital, which she hopes to follow with a fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology. She earned her undergraduate degree from Boston University, and her hometown is a mere 45 minutes north of the city.

When she leaves Michigan soon after Commencement activities on Friday, May 12, Roberts will do so as a member of the Class of 2023 that overcame so much during its four years together. This group was just getting started at U-M in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. It still affects them as they prepare to graduate.

“Our entire world, and especially the world of medicine, was instantly shaken. However, through flexibility, innovation and dedication to patients, health care professionals worked tirelessly to meet the evolving needs of our community,” said Roberts, who added that her extracurricular focus shifted to supporting the local community, from assembling hand sanitizer kits for those experiencing houselessness to assisting patients with telehealth visits. “Overall, this has taught me to be flexible in order to support the ever-changing needs of my patients and community.”

Ironically, the pandemic has affected Roberts personally as she completes her medical degree. She and her husband, Dylan, both contracted COVID-19 in March and had to stay home instead of attending the annual Match Day festivities. Both are feeling much better these days and she is looking forward to being among 162 Michigan graduates.

The medical school community is invited to attend the Commencement ceremony at 3 p.m. in Hill Auditorium. It also will be livestreamed at: https://youtu.be/fLbGpMJOsDg.

Roberts is among the Class of 2023’s most-honored graduates. She is recipient of the Dean’s Commendation for Excellence in Clinical Skills and the Art of Medicine, and the Andrew J. Zweifler Award for Excellence in Clinical Skills. She also is graduating with distinction (top 10% of students based on grade-point average) and distinction in medical education. Further, she is recipient of an Academic Recognition Award and a Glasgow-Rubin Citation for Academic Achievement.

Roberts said Michigan’s emphasis on clinical education and compassionate patient-centered care has paved the path for her to become the type of physician, educator and researcher she wants to be. In medical education, she has had opportunities to teach — from high school to medical students — and create an elective course for senior medical students about hospice and palliative care.

“UMMS has also provided me with exceptional mentorship, opportunities and training in clinical research related to pediatric neuro-oncology,” she said. “I hope to continue my work in this field to improve care and outcomes for children with aggressive brain tumors, and I am endlessly grateful to my mentors for setting the stage for this aspect of my career.”

As she completes her educational circle this week, Roberts looks forward to developing meaningful relationships with patients and families, supporting them through challenges and celebrating their victories.

“The field of pediatrics, and specifically pediatric oncology, provides a unique opportunity to support patients and their families through some of life’s greatest challenges, while also celebrating the everyday joys of childhood,” she said.

Below is a full list of student, departmental and faculty awards:

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.

• Peter Gavin Delaney
• Andrew Luke Valesano

 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.

• Jason Alden Correll
• Hannah Ruth Glick
• Elizabeth V. Joyce
• Meera Mary Kattapuram
• Elaine Anna Liu
• Samantha Darlene Lyons
• Alexandra Mansour
• Allan Kenneth Metz
• Alexa Michelle Pinsky
• Theresa Rager
• Holly Janelle Roberts
• Kyra Malka Sagal
• Ellery Grace Sarosi
• Maxwell Turner Sievers
• Shreya Verma
• Kyle Lewis Wickham

Puneet “Ashu” Ailawadi Memorial Award

This award honors Dr. Puneet “Ashu” Ailawadi, a 2000 graduate of the Medical School who was completing a residency in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan Health System at the time of his death. Dr. Ailawadi’s family, friends, and colleagues have established a memorial fund to honor him. In keeping with Dr. Ailawadi’s dedication to helping underserved communities, this award is presented annually to a senior medical student who has demonstrated a commitment to serving underprivileged and underserved populations.

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.

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.

• Catherine “Kenzie” Corbin

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.

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.

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.

Dr. Jane Skillen Award

This award honors Dr. Jane Skillen, a 1928 graduate of the Medical School. Dr. Skillen was an Irish immigrant who came to the United States at age 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. 

• Lauren Ashlé Gaston-Hawkins

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.

 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.

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.

• Andrew Benvenuto
• Catherine “Kenzie” Corbin
• Jason Alden Correll
• Brandon Lee Ellsworth
• Mary M. Fessler
• Henry Joseph Hilow, Jr.
• Victoria Koski-Karell
• Kevin William McCawley
• Maya Jazmin Smith
• Quintin Pedro Solano
• Eric Aaron Steinbrook
• Roberta Ukavwe
• David Wang
• Kyle Wickham
• Minna Wybrecht

Graduation with Distinction

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

• Mary M. Fessler
• Erin Elizabeth Finn
• Hannah Ruth Glick
• Rafik Issa
• Jay Li
• Samantha Darlene Lyons
• Alexandra Mansour
• Brennan Michelle McMichael
• Alannah Tess O’Brien
• Eric Christian Olsen
• Theresa Rager
• Holly Janelle Roberts
• Nicole Marianna Sekula
• Maxwell Turner Sievers
• Andrew Luke Valesano
• Kyle Lewis Wickham

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.

• Brendan Appold                                                 
• Davis Palmer Argersinger
• Fred Glenn-Roger Ayres                                   
• Mary M. Fessler                                                  
• Erin Elizabeth Finn                                           
• Hannah Ruth Glick
• Lauren Louise Hoff                                            
• Annelie Waldo Herrmann Leith
• Alexa Michelle Pinsky
• Anthony Edward Rios
• Holly Janelle Roberts
• Yoonhee Ryder
• Nicole Elizabeth Trupiano
• Roberta Elohor Ukavwe
• David Robert Wang
• Raymond Zhao