Celebrating the 55th Family Medicine Resident and Fellow Commencement
The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health celebrated its 55th Resident and Fellow Commencement on June 18 in McNamara on campus. The class of 2024, in addition to their families and department faculty and staff, enjoyed dinner and dessert as each program received recognition on stage.
Those honored included 48 family medicine residents and two pharmacy residents across seven residencies, 17 graduates of the Master of Professional Studies in Sexual Health program, five hospice and palliative medicine fellows, two clinical informatics fellows, one sexual and gender health fellow, and two sports medicine fellows.
As part of the festivities, two additional groups received recognition: six family medicine faculty who completed the Collaboration and Scholarship Intensive for Family Medicine program (CSI), and 11 participants who completed the Teaching and Curriculum Development Program (TEACH).
To kick off the evening, department head James Pacala, MD, MS, addressed the graduates and the collective achievements in family medicine:
"It is an exciting time in family medicine, and we have much to celebrate. Just recently our new Willmar rural residency program received accreditation by the ACGME – making it the first rural training site in Minnesota. The group effort toward this achievement is just one example of the remarkable culture of collaboration we have – in this case, eventually resulting in a more robust pipeline of rural primary care physicians."
He continued: “Your role in healthcare is becoming increasingly indispensable in today’s global community. This year, the National Resident Matching Program announced the highest-ever number of family medicine residency spots – and filled them all. Your innovation, your spirit of collaboration, and your ability to stay the course will serve you well in the years to come.”
Each year the department presents awards to a select number of graduating trainees and faculty for their outstanding achievements in community service, scholarship and teaching. Congratulations to this year’s award winners and to all those who were nominated!
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (a.k.a JEDI) award
This award recognizes a trainee who has promoted JEDI principles within their program, department, medical system, university, and/or community. The award includes a $1,000 prize and a plaque. The 2024 recipient is Najaha Musse, DO, from the Woodwinds Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program.
Dr. Musse's nominating colleague shared the following:
"Dr. Musse’s work is an example of the power of compassion. She has a remarkable gift for building bridges, for connecting people and ideas, and for infusing her work with energy, creativity, and a sense of purpose. Through her work with the International Oromo Health Professionals Association, the East Side Freedom Library, and countless other organizations, Dr. Musse has made a transformative impact. She has worked tirelessly to promote education, access, mentorship, and support, always with a focus on those who have been marginalized or overlooked."
Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) Resident Teacher Awards
The STFM Award is presented to residents from each of the seven family medicine residency programs who best demonstrated interest in and commitment to family medicine education.
Payton Schultz, MD, Duluth
Michael A. Burgdorf, MD, Methodist
David M. Marshall, MD, MPH, North Memorial
Adam J. Sommers, DO, St. Cloud
Lauren E. Lussenhop, MD, St. John’s
Collin J. Beyer, DO, UMN Medical Center
Rita Ferri-Huerta, MD, Woodwinds
Excellence in Scholarship Award
The Excellence in Scholarship Award is given in recognition of those residents who have excelled in research and scholarly activities. The award includes $1,000 and a plaque.
The 2024 recipient is Dani Day, DO, from the North Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program. According to colleagues, during her second year of residency, Dr. Day was struggling to find the energy and enthusiasm that defines family physicians as healers. But then, something remarkable happened. Volunteering as a medical provider at the Target USA Cup, the largest youth soccer tournament in North America, reignited Dr. Day's passion. This experience not only re-energized her but also solidified her dream of becoming a primary care sports medicine physician. Dr. Day channeled this newfound energy into scholarly pursuits, producing two posters and a publication in the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine's journal.
Her story is a powerful reminder that dedicating even a small part of our time to a niche we love can bring immense satisfaction and protect against burnout.
Affiliated Teaching Award
The Affiliated Teaching Award is for a member of our adjunct faculty or community faculty who has demonstrated meritorious achievement in the education of medical students, residents, and/or other health professionals. The award is $1,000 and a plaque. This year’s recipient is Jared Frandson, MD, MPH, from North Memorial.
The colleagues who nominated him noted the following:
"For seven years, Dr. Frandson has selflessly dedicated himself to the community as a preceptor, tirelessly advancing patient care at Broadway Family Medicine Clinic while inspiring the next generation of physicians. Dr. Frandson has been an invaluable resource for our residents and students, dedicated to providing comprehensive primary care, including gender-affirming care and infectious disease management."
Faculty Teacher of the Year Award
The Faculty Teacher of the Year Award is bestowed to a department faculty member who has demonstrated meritorious achievement. The award is $1,000 and a plaque. This year’s recipient is Christopher Fallert, MD.
Colleagues had this to say about Dr. Fallert:
"For years, Dr. Fallert has been the epitome of excellence in the department. He excels as a residency program faculty member, a devoted provider of maternity care, a supervisor on the inpatient service, and as the department's family medicine clerkship director, all while maintaining an impressive commitment to continuing medical education. Through it all, Dr. Fallert remains humble, thoughtful, and has a wonderful sense of humor that makes him a joy to work with and learn from. He is an example of what it means to be an exceptional teacher, mentor, and physician."
Congratulations to all graduates and award winners this year. Their futures are certainly bright!
