Michelle Phan, MD, wins Schaengold Award
When Michelle Phan, MD, was summoned to the break room at the Hopple Street Neighborhood Health Center recently and told to sit down, she had no idea what was afoot. Surrounded by the staff, she stared in disbelief as Mary Beth Pero, MD, announced that Phan was the winner of the Robert Schaengold Award. The Cincinnati Pediatric Society gives the award each year to a third-year resident who has shown a dedication to the care of the underserved. The winner is chosen via a survey of faculty and residents.
Phan grew up in Cincinnati. She and her younger sister were both treated at Cincinnati Children’s when they were kids.
“We were mostly here for routine ENT procedures, but my sister suffered a brain aneurysm rupture when we were in high school,” Phan recalled. “She had surgery and did rehab here for several months.”
That experience and an innate curiosity about how things worked led her to a career in medicine.
“My parents always taught us to be the best in whatever field we chose,” said Phan, “but also to do something that’s going to help others. I was drawn to working with the most vulnerable populations. Caring for underserved children seemed to be where I could make the most difference and feel the most fulfilled in my work.”
Phan does her continuity clinic at Hopple Street every Tuesday afternoon. It’s been her favorite place in residency.
“It’s like a family there,” she said. “No matter what rotation I’m on or how difficult a day I’m having, I know on Tuesday afternoons I get to go to Hopple Street and see my friends who’ve known me since I was an intern.”
Phan has high praise for Cincinnati Children’s overall.
“Everyone is brilliant,” she explained. “There are leaders in so many fields here. But they’re approachable, humble and focused on helping to improve the lives of children. And that sense of purpose goes down to every level of care – nursing, medical assistants, house staff, cleaning staff – everyone seems proud to work at Cincinnati Children’s.”
In addition to her parents, Phan is grateful to her mentors, Mary Carol Burkhardt, MD, MHA; Melissa Klein, MD, MEd; Nick DeBlasio, MD, and Pero, for their guidance. She never had the chance to work with Schaengold, the former medical director at Hopple Street, but she’s heard enough about him to know he was an amazing doctor.
“Getting this vote of confidence from my colleagues that they believe I embody the Schaengold Award criteria makes me very happy and proud,” she said.
