October 3, 2013

VUSM student lands Physicians of Tomorrow Award from AMA

Michele Luhm Vigor, a member of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s Class of 2014, has been selected by the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation to receive a Physicians of Tomorrow Award.

Michele Luhm Vigor, a member of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s Class of 2014, has been selected by the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation to receive a Physicians of Tomorrow Award.

Michele Luhm Vigor

Twenty-one rising fourth-year medical students across the nation were selected by the AMA for the recognition, which includes a $10,000 scholarship. Students are selected based upon academic achievement and financial need.

Luhm Vigor said the award is humbling and helps to reinforce an area of special interest she feels passionate about — changing the health care system.

“I have spent much of my energy in medical school engaging with patient safety and health care quality improvement. This inspires me to continue to strive toward becoming the best physician I can be while improving the systems in which I work and learn.

“With ever-increasing demand on our health systems and finite sources of funding to provide care, I see the importance of getting smart with the delivery of care with the resources we have,” she said.

Luhm Vigor said she is planning on a career in academics, feeling that professional education is the ideal arena for implementing change and generating fresh ideas.

The AMA Foundation has awarded more than $61 million in scholarships to medical students since 1950.