Dr. Callaghan Wins Important Award

Brian Callaghan, M.D., M.S., was awarded the Early Distinguished Career Award as part of the Michigan Medicine Alumni Society (UMMS) Distinguished Awards.

These awards annually recognize professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in their careers. The Early Distinguished Career Award is to a U-M Medical School alumni or faculty member in the first 20 years of their career. It acknowledges the recipient's excellence and exemplary achievement in medical education, research, or patient care.

Dr. Callaghan, the Eva L. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Neurology, more than fits the bill. When introducing him, UMMS President Samantha Spencer, M.D., listed many of his impressive accomplishments. Through his research in peripheral neuropathy, health services, healthcare inequities, and quality improvement, Dr. Callaghan has authored over 150 peer-reviewed articles. He has received numerous awards, including the AB Baker Teacher Recognition Award From the American Academy of Neurology and the Wolfe Neuropathy Research Prize from the American Neurological Association. Dr. Callaghan holds numerous leadership positions, including chair of the American Academy of Neurology Health Services Committee, chair of the Peripheral Nerve Society's Education Committee, and board member for the International Diabetes Neuropathy Consortium. He is also co-director of the Neuromuscular Division and associate program director of research for the Neurology Residency Program at the University of Michigan. Dr. Spencer noted Dr. Callaghan's "profound commitment to the education of medical students, residents, and fellows, providing guidance and mentorship that fosters the next generation of medical professionals.'

Upon accepting the award, Dr. Callaghan thanked his father, who was in attendance, for emphasizing education at a young age and supporting him in any path he chose, with the only requirement of "giving it everything you got."

He thanked his mentor and namesake of his professorship, Eva L. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., who also received this award in 2001. In fact, they are the first mentor-mentee team to receive this award. Dr. Callaghan explained that you usually need five mentors or one Eva. He remarked on her emphasis on family. Both in how she treats those in her lab and the importance of family alongside research.

Dr. Callaghan thanked his brother, his role model, and "the best mentees one could hope for;" Evan Reynolds, Ph.D., and Melissa Elafros, M.D., Ph.D.

He concluded by recognizing the most important people in his life: his two daughters, Anna and Emma, and his wife and "life partner," Sara, who he met at the University of Michigan in 1998.

“Brian is an exceptional physician, researcher, teacher, and role model for all faculty, young or old,” said Dr. Feldman. “While Brian states I am his “mentor,” he has truly become mine! I have learned and continue to learn so much from him, especially in terms of how to measure health quality and health equity. I could not be more grateful for or proud of his accomplishments. In addition, a “Brian bonus” has been watching his daughters Anna and Emma grow up in the loving family he and his remarkable wife Sara have created.”

Also receiving awards that night were Marshal Strome, M.D., M.S, FACS, who received the Distinguished Achievement Award; Catherine Keegan, M.D., Ph.D., the Distinguished Service Award; and Brian D. Ross, Ph.D., the Basic Science Research Award.