Seven medical students at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB) in Rochester earned awards for outstanding work during their third-year clinical rotations.
The school announced the honors Friday, Sept. 25, naming one winner per specialty. All seven are now fourth-year students in the Class of 2027, entering their final year before graduating with medical degrees.
The recipients are:
- Maya Nassif — Internal Medicine
- Eva Neuenschwander — Psychiatry
- Claire Baguley — Family Medicine
- Peter Prescott — Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Thea Wilkens-Reed — Pediatrics
- Nelson Jones — Neurology
- Andrew George — Surgery
Clerkship directors nominate students who stand out in performance and professionalism. The Student Awards Committee then vets the nominees for eligibility, according to the school. Recipients were notified in late July after all rotations for the 2025-26 academic year wrapped up.
Jickssa Gemechu, associate professor in OUWB's Department of Foundational Medical Studies and chair of the Student Award Committee, said the awards recognize students who show strength in clinical knowledge, patient care, professionalism, communication and teamwork.
Andrew George, the surgery honoree, said he made a point of showing up for as many cases as he could during his rotation.
"I put a lot of effort into learning the material and showing up for as many cases as I could … I got to work closely with a wide range of attendings and residents, which made the experience even more rewarding," George said.
Other honorees described how their rotations confirmed their career paths. Claire Baguley said her family medicine clerkship solidified her passion for the field. Nelson Jones said neurology taught him to use history, physical exams and physiology together to narrow a diagnosis. Thea Wilkens-Reed said her pediatrics rotation reinforced the importance of making patients and families feel heard.
Maya Nassif said her internal medicine clerkship showed her what it means to take ownership of patient care, including learning what matters to each patient beyond assessments and plans.
OUWB gives the clerkship awards each year. The same seven specialties were recognized at the school's 2023 Honors Convocation, which is held the day before commencement. No date has been announced for the Class of 2027 ceremony.
