Not only were medical students honored May 20, 2023, during the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine graduation ceremony at Munn Intramural Field, East Lansing, but one Hurley faculty member also found himself on stage.

Basim Towfiq MD, a faculty member in Hurley Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Residency Program, was selected by graduating senior medical students from the MSU CHM Flint Campus to receive an award during graduation for excellence in teaching.

He has taught MSU medical students since 1995 and has received 10 teaching awards from graduating classes in that time.

Dr Towfiq said he enjoys teaching medical students.

“They are just the right learners - enthusiastic, conscientious, and appreciative of every piece of knowledge,” he said. “And they are well oriented - they know their role now and in the future in the society.”

Dr Towfiq keeps his sights on the long term when educating the next generation of physicians.

“I believe that giving them the best knowledge and setting the best example for them will make them efficient physicians who will best serve humans all over the world,” he said.

Annually, about 100 MSU CHM students complete their last two years of medical school on the Flint Campus, and many rotate with Dr Towfiq, who provides weekly didactics for students.

Dr Towfiq, an associate professor at MSU CHM, completed his own internal medicine residency training at Hurley Medical Center and is director of the MSU CHM internal medicine clerkship for the Flint Campus.

MSU CHM is a community-based medical school. First- and second-year students are at either the Grand Rapids or East Lansing campuses and are assigned to work in one of 90 clinics. Third- and fourth-year students are assigned specialty-specific clerkships across MSU’s eight community campuses, including the Flint Campus, which has a home base in the former Flint Journal building, across from the Flint Farmers’ Market in downtown Flint.