More than 500 Wake Forest University School of Medicine alumni and their guests returned to campus in May for MD Alumni Weekend ’23. One of the highlights was Friday night, when the MD Class of 1973 was recognized as the newest members of the Bowman Gray Society and recipients of this year’s Medical Alumni Association Distinguished Awards were honored.
Bowman Gray Society
The society recognizes alumni as part of their 50th reunion celebration. Continuing a recent tradition, Bowman “Bo” Gray IV and Carter Gray, MD ’99, members of the Gray family whose leadership and philanthropy have helped guide the school for generations, shared remarks in honoring the Class of 1973.
Carter Gray noted how the school has grown since receiving the gifts from Bowman Gray Sr. and his brother, James Gray. When it opened in 1941, the four-year medical school welcomed 75 students in Winston-Salem. Today, the school has more than 1,200 students across multiple programs each year.
“And now we’re even able to grow beyond our city limits with a new campus in Charlotte opening in 2025 and our new hospital partnerships with Advocate Health,” said Carter Gray. “I honestly feel that this would have surpassed the wildest dreams of Bowman and James. To start as one simple charitable gift to enhance a city they loved, to now we’re expanding beyond our school with our Pro Humanitate spirit.”
Each inductee was presented a hand-crafted medallion bearing the Wake Forest University seal and the likeness of Bowman Gray Sr.
The awards ceremony capped the evening, with individuals honored for their achievements and contributions to the school, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, the community and/or the practice of medicine.
Distinguished Achievement Award: Patricia L. Turner, MD ’96, MBA, FACS
Turner is executive director and chief executive officer of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and clinical associate professor at University of Chicago Medicine. She previously served as director of the Division of Member Services at the ACS, and before joining the ACS, she spent eight years in full-time academic practice on the University of Maryland School of Medicine faculty, where she directed the surgery residency program.
Her roles in national professional organizations or institutions include serving as member of the boards of directors of the Council of Medical Specialty Societies and OceanFirst Bank, corporate member CEO of The Joint Commission and member of the Specialty Societies CEO Coalition. She also has served as chair of the Society of Black Academic Surgeons Foundation Fund; past chair of the ACS’s Delegation to the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates, AMA Council on Medical Education, and Surgical Section of the National Medical Association (NMA); past president of the Society of Black Academic Surgeons; and past member of the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Board of Directors.
Distinguished Faculty Award: Amy J. McMichael, MD, FAAD
The professor of dermatology is a Philadelphia native and has held leadership positions in the school’s Department of Dermatology for more than 20 years, first as residency program director for 12 years and chair of the department for 11 years. She stepped down as chair in September 2022 to pursue her other interests, including clinical medicine, research and mentorship.
She has been a leader in her field, including her roles as past president of both the Skin of Color Society and the National Medical Association Dermatology Section. She has also served as vice president of the Women’s Dermatologic Society and secretary/treasurer of the North American Alopecia Research Society. She currently serves as a board member of the American Academy of Dermatology. She has mentored countless students, residents and junior faculty over the years.
Distinguished Service Award: Christopher A. Ohl, MD, FACP, FIDSA
Ohl is professor of infectious diseases with the School of Medicine and an infectious disease physician with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. He has considerable experience in planning for and responding to emerging infections and was an integral member of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s COVID-19 Task Force. Throughout the pandemic, he advised Winston-Salem and Forsyth County governments, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and several community businesses in their responses to COVID-19.
Ohl also frequently shared his expertise with local, regional and national news media during the pandemic. His insights helped keep the public informed during the health crisis, and media outlets continue to seek his comments on issues related to public health.
Student Excellence Award: Collette A. O’Connor, MD ’23
The Massachusetts native was honored as the fourth-year medical student whose peers believe best demonstrates the qualities needed to become a complete physician — knowledge, compassion and dedication.
She graduated with honors from Boston University and worked as an emergency medical technician and yoga teacher before starting medical school. At Wake Forest, she took part in award-winning research in medical student wellness and urology, held leadership positions with the DEAC (Delivering Equal Access to Care) Clinic and served in numerous near-peer teaching and mentoring roles. O’Connor is completing her residency in urologic surgery at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
