Dr. Sachin Shah and Dr. David Willcutts: Class of 2017 Leadership Award
By Lin Lofley
When Dr. Sachin Shah and Dr. David Willcutts ran for the co-Presidency of their UT Southwestern Medical School class as first-year students four years ago, neither had any idea the journey that they were embarking upon. In truth, they knew more about the path they would soon tread as Medical Students than they did about the demands and rewards of being the representatives of the Class of 2017.
They knew even less about the enduring friendship that would be forged in study, leadership, and decision-making as they worked their way toward graduation.
“There were five groups of students who ran for the office when we were MS1s,” Dr. Willcutts recalled recently. “After we had served a year, there was just one other set of office seekers who ran against us.”
Dr. Shah said, “It’s been a crazy journey, from first creating our ukulele-accompanied campaign jingle as MS1s to most recently putting together the POST+OP senior banquet roast, David and I have really learned how to work well together in ways that play well to our individual strengths.
“We’ve pushed each other pretty hard over the past few years, and at the end of it all, I think we’re both quite proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish as student leaders.”
Wes Norred, Vice President for Student and Alumni Affairs, said the pair ably served their fellow students.
“Sachin and David have had a remarkable and always positive impact on UT Southwestern and on the lives of their peers in the Class of 2017. We strive here to build consensus and always to practice inclusion, and they have never failed to make that happen,” Mr. Norred said.
“I know that their leadership approach has earned them the respect of everyone who has come into contact with them, and I believe that our institution is unbelievably fortunate that they will serve their residencies here.”
The Medical School Student Leadership Award goes annually to the student officers of the graduating class, and it includes a $1,000 award.
“I think the fact that Sachin is one of the class Presidents speaks to the respect he has earned from his classmates in terms of how he conducts himself and the person he is,” said Dr. Soumya Adhikari, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Pediatric Clerkship program. “He has a passion for medical education, which is evident in his graduating with Distinction in Medical Education. This distinction comes to him because of his contributions to curriculum development on this campus.
“His day-to-day interactions on the wards have been exemplary, where faculty have repeatedly commented on how he works with junior students to pass along his knowledge as opportunities present themselves, and in his approach to his career development.”
Associate Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Angela Mihalic said, “David Willcutts and Sachin Shah have been incredible leaders over the past four years. Both have made significant contributions to improve the curriculum, student services, and learning environment through their participation on the institution’s Six-Year Plan, student focus groups guiding the development of the new curriculum, and Independent Student Analysis for the upcoming LCME accreditation. Their thoughtful feedback, analysis, and creativity have greatly contributed to our efforts to continuously improve and have led to lasting changes. They are both deserving of this award.”
Dr. Mihalic, a Professor of Pediatrics, said she anticipates welcoming the duo into the ranks of the medical specialty.
“It is especially gratifying to know that both will soon be fellow pediatricians,” she said. “I am looking forward to seeing the impact they make to their residency training program and future careers. They would both be superb academic physicians.”
Dr. Shah graduated magna cum laude from UT Dallas, where he earned a degree in biology. As a UTD freshman in 2009, he received a highly coveted Eugene McDermott Scholarship; as a senior in 2013, he graduated with Collegium V Honors and departmental honors.
Long before he arrived at UT Southwestern, Dr. Shah stood out at Plano Senior High School, winning state championships in the Impromptu Speaking competition sponsored by the Texas Forensic Association and in the University Interscholastic Informative Speaking competition.
