MD-PhD Scholars Program celebrates milestones

UNMC’s MD-PhD Scholars Program recently held its annual graduation banquet in the Wigton Heritage Atrium. The event honored three MD graduates — Andrew Cannon, MD, Joseph Carmicheal, MD, and Simon Shin, MD — as well as seven PhD graduates and seven students who have reached the mid-point of their eight-year training program.

The event also:

• Honored alums Michael Baine, MD, PhD, Class of 2014, and Allison Cushman-Vokoun, MD, PhD, Class of 2004, with the Alumni Engagement Award for their ongoing contributions to the program.
• Presented the John M. Morrison, MD, PhD Mentoring Student Award, which recognizes the MD-PhD Scholar who has been an exemplary mentor to students in the program, to Joseph Carmicheal, MD, PhD. The award is given based on nomination by peers.

The MD-PhD Scholars Program, which was formally established in 1994, continues to grow, said Justin Mott, MD, PhD, who serves as director of the program. In addition to Cannon, Carmichael and Shin, 73 students have earned an MD-PhD since the program’s inception.

Scholars receive a stipend for living, and their tuition, health insurance and other student fees are covered by either the UNMC College of Medicine or their graduate program depending on their year of study. Alumni of UNMC's MD-PhD Scholars Program have pursued a variety of careers in research and academic centers, private practice and biotechnology and industry.