By Rebecca Ruiz-McGill, Arizona Health Sciences Center | October 16, 2013Kevin Hummel is one of just 21 medical students nationwide to receive the American Medical Association award for academic excellence.
Hummel was chosen for the honor for his work creating a new academic track in UA College of Medicine. The recently approved “Emerging Leaders in Health Care Innovation” distinction track is designed to provide interested medical students with competencies in health-care delivery, policy and advocacy, and to prepare them to become the next generation of leaders in health-care delivery innovation.
Hummel says the idea for the distinction track was the result of a collaborative effort between his fellow classmates who are passionate about working more efficiently to improve the delivery of health care.
“It is really a reflection of the college, a group of passionate students and physician/faculty members who want to improve health care and make our work more efficient,” he said.
The new College of Medicine distinction track includes training in leadership and professionalism, quality and safety, conflict resolution, and team care. The students participate in observation and shadowing and complete relevant readings about the U.S. health-care system, including provider, payer, population and patient perspectives, and advances in medical technology. They also complete a mentored capstone project based on their interests, further building the skills needed to continue in health-care innovation.
Hummel was nominated for the Physicians of Tomorrow award by Dr. Kevin Moynahan, UA College of Medicine deputy dean for education.
“Kevin exemplifies the spirit of the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Not only is Kevin successful academically and clinically, but he found the time to significantly contribute to the College of Medicine’s future in a meaningful way through his work on the ‘Emerging Leaders in Health Care Innovation’ distinction track,” he said.
Hummel’s capstone project was a mixed methods project involving The University of Arizona Health Network and the UA Department of Emergency Medicine. The project ascertained utilization patterns and service preferences of parents of pediatric patients.
“Kevin came with his research question and dug in, finding content mentors such as Duke Duncan, MD, and developing his research protocol and independently carrying through the project,” said Dr. Jane Mohler, who serves as a mentor to Hummel.
Hummel will graduate in May 2014 and plans to pursue a residency in pediatric medicine.