Announcing the Recipients of the Inaugural MD-PhD Program Student Prizes

HANNAH BATCHELOR, RACHEL HENNEIN and ANCHI WU were awarded the inaugural MD-PhD Program Student Prize for contributions to DIVERSITY, EQUITY and INCLUSION for their thoughtful planning and work into realizing the Anti-Racism curriculum launched this spring. Students and faculty were asked to nominate students who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to diversity and inclusion which are central to the mission of the MD-PhD Program. The nominee should manifest the ideals of diversity, equity and inclusion through practical action and advocacy. Examples include efforts that support the recruitment of diverse students, build a welcoming and supportive community, enrich academic and social discourse among our students and promote the diversity of persons, groups, views and academic disciplines.

DREW DANIELS was selected to receive the inaugural MD-PhD Program Student Prize for contributions to COMMUNITY for his ability to bring MD-PhD students together by organizing events ranging from clinical reasoning workshops to paella cookouts. Nominations were sought for students who engage in ongoing service, leadership, mentorship, and other activities that promote the social and academic connections that are at the core of our MD-PhD Program community. In addition to fostering communication and collaboration, the nominee works with peers and faculty to advance our mission to build a welcoming and supportive community of physicians and scientists committed to improving the health of individuals and populations.

DAN BARSON was awarded the inaugural MD-PhD Program Student Prize for contributions to the PROGRAM. His constructive criticism of our program has led to many innovations that have strengthened it: we now have a more active student council, a robust peer-to-peer mentoring system, a House system to foster community across the years - thanks in no small part to Dan’s leadership and service. Nominations were submitted for students committed to creating positive and enduring change in our program and their efforts have made significant contributions to enhance physician-scientist training at Yale. In particular, we seek nominations for students who advocate for and actively develop ideas for new programmatic activities that enrich learning and enhance/modify existing efforts by the MD-PhD Program.