For one senior resident, Michigan’s fall season was exceptionally nice. Not only were the days unusually warm and balmy for Michigan, but Ra’ad Haddad MD also got a little warmth when he received national honors at Michigan State University.

Haddad, a third-year resident and also a chief resident in Hurley’s Internal Medicine Residency Training Program, was inducted into the MSU College of Human Medicine Gamma Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society on Nov. 2.

“It went very well,” said Haddad after the ceremony. “It is a great feeling to be part of the AOA family. I am very appreciative for doctors who dedicate their time and effort for serving humanity and succeed for better health care.”

MSU CHM’s Gary Ferenchick MD said in a letter that selections were made by a committee of AOA faculty who considered the following criteria: outstanding performance in the residency program, evidence of scholarship as a resident house officer, and evidence of outstanding community service.

The official bio for the awards ceremony reported that his resident colleagues see him as a role model for patient care, education and leadership, as well as a trusted coworker and reliable team player.

In addition, faculty preceptors universally described Haddad as “an excellent resident.” Other excerpted faculty comments:

• Very detail-oriented, conscientious, and thorough. … Patient care and medical knowledge exemplary. … Enjoyed working with him.
• Excellent leadership for his research team.
• Focused and driven to strive for excellence.
• Communicates well with nurses, patients, families. … Very caring in approach.
• Listens well … and acts accordingly.

Haddad earned his medical degree from the Jordan University of Science and Technology, where he helped spread healthcare to unreachable areas as a volunteer medical student, delivering community education about diabetes, smoking, obesity, and other health issues.

After graduation, he worked as a general practitioner in his home county before joining research investigators at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., in 2013, and focused on the use of genomic medicine in clinical practice. One trial observed changes in metabolic profile after genetic results disclosure in people with increased genetic cardiovascular risk.

In 2014, he joined the Hurley Internal Medicine Residency Training Program as a first-year resident. He has continued to help the community while working in Flint. As part of his program’s work with area homeless shelters, Haddad helps the poor and underserved population in the area by offering health screenings and educational sessions. He has had multiple scholarly presentations at local and regional conferences, as well as many peer-reviewed publications in academic journals.

In 2015-2016, he received the Outstanding Resident Educator Award from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He also was selected by his faculty and peers to serve as 2016-2017 chief resident of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Hurley.

After graduation in 2017, Haddad plans to continue his training in an endocrinology fellowship at the University of Michigan.

For now, he is enjoying his time at Hurley, where the faculty are always there to give support, he said, mentioning Program Director Ghassan Bachuwa MD MHSA MPH, in particular.

“His positive influence has helped me to progress into becoming a better doctor,” said Haddad.