Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

12/26/2025

At OUWB, medical education is more than a curriculum.

It’s where five cousins find a common calling, where students are challenged by the ethical weight of history during the Holocaust, and where humanism is formally honored at signature events.

This ethos carries from the White Coat Ceremony through Match Day, and as one class’s commencement paves the way for another’s beginning, all supported by a community investing in the next generation of compassionate physicians.

These topics and more comprise the list of OUWB’s top stories from 2025.

It’s where five cousins find a common calling, where students are challenged by the ethical weight of history during the Holocaust, and where humanism is formally honored at signature events.

12/19/2025

OUWB Students Dive Into Hands-On Learning 🩺

This fall, our M1s and M2s received invaluable hands-on experiences at Corewell Health hospitals through student-led clinical skills nights.

These events bridge the gap between textbook learning and real clinical practice in a low-pressure, supportive environment. Students learned essential procedures, connected with residents and physicians, and received a motivating preview of their future careers.

Highlights included:
▶️ Pediatrics: Intubation, suturing, & IO line placement in a simulation lab.
▶️ Dermatology/Family Medicine: Practicing biopsies and cryotherapy on oranges.
▶️ OB-GYN: C-section suturing, ultrasound, contraception education, and more.

“It rejuvenated me and reminded me why I'm working so hard,” shared Andrew Vaniddekinge, M2.

Throughout the fall semester, many students from OUWB gained hands-on medical skills for the first time at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital (WBUH) in Royal Oak and Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital. 

12/16/2025

The future of orthopaedics is bright! Last week, over 100 medical students from across Michigan gathered at the 5th Annual OSSM Research Symposium hosted by an OUWB student organization.

Students connected with surgeons, heard honest advice on landing a highly competitive residency, and presented their own research. The event highlighted the growing community and collaboration among Michigan's next generation of orthopaedic leaders.

A unique chance to learn, network, and get real about the journey into this exciting field. 💡

More than 100 students representing every medical school in Michigan and others recently attended the 5th Annual OSSM Research Symposium hosted by an OUWB student organization.

12/12/2025

The OUWB Pediatric Interest Group recently hosted an incredible clinical skills event at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak.

Our dedicated medical students rolled up their sleeves to practice essential pediatric procedures, including:
💉 Intubation
🩺 Catheterization
🪡 Laceration Repair.. and more!

Hands-on experiences like these are invaluable, building the confidence and technical expertise needed to provide compassionate, high-quality care.

“I always find these skills nights to be opportunities to decompress and pick up skills that we could use further down the line,” said Yzen Al-Marrawi, M2.

12/09/2025

OUWB's DocApella & Spinal Chords recently delivered holiday music to patients at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak! 🎄🎶

The student group performed classics like "Silent Night" and "Jingle Bell Rock" in the PM&R unit, continuing an annual tradition of spreading cheer through song.

“It brings me so much joy to see a smile on the patients we perform for,” said Krithika Sathiya, M2.

Patients sang along, made requests, and shared how much the visit meant to them. For these future physicians, it’s a special way to connect with the community they’ll one day serve.

On Dec. 5, OUWB students spread some holiday cheer in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation unit (PM&R) at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak. 

12/04/2025

A recent OUWB signature event lecture by national expert Thaddeus Pope, J.D., Ph.D., explored VSED — voluntarily stopping eating and drinking.

As patients become more aware, this legal option is sought by some to avoid living with conditions like late-stage dementia. Pope explained that VSED is clinically supported and protected by law, but also presents ethical and logistical challenges for health care providers.

The timely discussion engaged over 100 attendees, highlighting the need for preparedness and compassion in end-of-life care.

A top U.S. health law scholar recently spoke at an OUWB event to demystify an end-of-life option gaining a higher profile and being used by an increasing number of patients.  

12/02/2025

OUWB student Nicholas Petrykowski, M4, has been awarded the 2025 Paul Misch M.D. Doctor of the Future Award!

He was honored for his exceptional passion, compassion, and leadership during his family medicine clerkship at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital.

Nick, who grew up in Macomb County, calls this his "home hospital" and hopes to practice here in the future. He thanked his family, mentors, and the OUWB community for their support.

Congratulations, Nick! Your dedication truly represents the future of medicine. 👨‍⚕️🎉

A medical student from OUWB recently was recognized for his “exceptional passion for medicine, steadfast compassion, and strong leadership” during his family medicine clerkship at Corwell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital.

11/26/2025

A familiar OUWB face is taking on a starring role in a Detroit tradition!

After 27 years of marching in the America’s Thanksgiving Parade, Duane Mezwa, M.D., emeritus dean of OUWB, has been named the Grand Jester of the Distinguished Clown Corps!

“When you do it once, you get hooked,” says Mezwa. “It gets in your blood to see the smiles on the faces of the kids, the happiness of the families, and just the excitement of being part of it all.”

This year is extra special, as his entire family—his wife, three children, and their spouses—will be marching alongside him for the first time.

From all of us at OUWB, congratulations, Dr. Mezwa! We'll be watching for your big turkey hat and cheering you on! 🦃🎉

The OUWB community might recognize a familiar face — though it will look quite different — among a group of 200 clowns in the 99th America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit.

11/24/2025

OUWB was thrilled to recently host Reach Out To Youth, an event designed to spark an early interest in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM) for local elementary students.

Our medical students led kids ages 7-11 through fun, hands-on activities! 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♀️

Highlights from the day:
🔬 Dissecting turkey legs to see how tendons make our joints move.
🧠 An experiment to learn how the small intestine works.
💖 Playing with stethoscopes and learning clinical skills.

A huge thank you to everyone who made this day possible, and to all the families who joined us!

Understanding the importance of early exposure to medicine, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine students partnered with Reach Out To Youth (ROTY) to deliver education to elementary students.

11/21/2025

OUWB medical student Rachel Israel is turning her personal journey with breast cancer into a powerful force for awareness and research.

She recently led a "passion project" fundraiser with the OUWB Oncology Interest Group. Thanks to a triple match from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, they raised nearly $10,000 for the cause! 💪

Her story is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the impact we can have when we come together as a community.

Read the full story below!

Breast cancer already has had a significant impact on the life of OUWB medical student Rachel Israel — but she’s intent on not letting it get the best of her.

11/19/2025

For the second year, OUWB medical students connected with alumni residents at our "Alumni & Student Mixer: Specialty Speed Dating" event! 🩺

More than 30 students had the chance to ask 12 alumni anything during brief, rotating sessions. This unique event helps students build networking skills and gain invaluable advice about life after medical school.

A huge thank you to our alumni for making our students a priority and lending a hand. This is what the OUWB family is all about! 💛

A special event designed to provide current OUWB medical students with access to the school’s alumni recently was held for the second consecutive year.

11/13/2025

Vanderbilt UniversityProfessor Kristen Gilliland, Ph.D., recently visited OUWB to share critical research on how cannabis use impacts the developing brain. Her powerful presentation, rooted in both science and personal experience, highlighted the increased risks for young people under 25. The key takeaway? Education is essential for making informed health decisions.

A professor from Vanderbilt University recently visited OUWB to talk about the health risks younger people take should they choose to ingest ma*****na.