Dayton Daily News: 2 medical trainees show impact of Wright State-Premier Health partnership

Two trainees from the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine are advancing to highly competitive ear, nose and throat programs, which they and the university say reflect how the affiliation between WSU and Premier Health has helped these doctors further their education and careers.

Dr. Mac Kenzie Reece, a general surgery resident at WSU, matched into a head and neck endocrine surgery fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Mass Eye and Ear center, part of Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Omar Zayed, a Wright State medical student who graduated this spring, matched into an otolaryngology, or ENT, residency at Case Western Reserve University.

The placements are among the most competitive in medicine, according to a press release from WSU. There are four head and neck endocrine surgery fellowship programs in the country, each offering only one position.

ENT residency slots are similarly scarce, drawing large pools of applicants for a limited number of spots each year, according to WSU.

“I believe this reflects outstanding mentorship,” Priti Parikh, professor of surgery and vice chair for research education and professional development, said in the press release.

She credited two Premier Health ENT surgeons, Dr. Mohamedkazim Alwani and Dr. Sameep Kadakia, for the guidance they offered to medical students.

WSU’s Boonshoft School of Medicine trains students and residents through a community-based medical education model through the Premier Health system.

Medical students train across a variety of Premier Health clinical sites, working directly with practicing physicians who also serve as clinical faculty, according to WSU, rather than training at a single hospital.

“This combination of access, mentorship and real-world clinical exposure helps prepare residents and students to compete successfully for highly selective opportunities,” Parikh said.

Read the full article at daytondailynews.com.