Medical student Jeanne Wigant received the 2016 Hometown Health Hero Award for her contributions to protect and improve the health of the state of Michigan within the past year. Wigant accepted the award with three other recipients at a ceremony at the state Capitol in Lansing during Michigan Public Health Week. 

Wigant’s work at HOPE Warming Shelter’s medical clinic, where she identified the characteristics of certain disease processes and helped develop a plan of action in those cases, earned her the honor.

“While I am absolutely humbled by being nominated and elected for this award, I welcome the platform it has created for me to call attention to HOPE Warming Center,” says Wigant. “Not only does the shelter immediately impact the lives of its guests, but its impact has begun to spill over into the greater community.”  

Wigant, who is a third-year medical student, says that her work at HOPE Warming Shelter has completely changed her life and shaped her future plans. She maintains that the OUWB culture and the study of family medicine have enabled her to define her path as a physician who will make community service a priority.

“Both have taught me that we have the ability to position ourselves as partners in identifying practical solutions to the challenges facing the underserved in our community,” says Wigant.  “Not only can we solidify our relationship with the patients individually, but also our position as integral members of the community in which we live.”

As she looks toward graduation next spring, Wigant will apply for residency in family medicine with aspirations for opening a full-scope private practice.