MSU D.O. students to begin new clinical training at Henry Ford

D.O. student Emily Andresan worked as a research assistant at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, where she contributed to a range of clinical research studies in gastroenterology, concussion and emergency and critical care. Inspired by the physicians she worked with, Andresan said she joined the pilot to gain deeper insight into clinical research applications.

Emily Andresan, professional photo.

“Observing physicians who approached research with their own patients in mind made each study feel more personal and impactful,” Andresan explained. “I recognized how clinical research guided by physician experiences could profoundly influence patient care and clinical practice, ultimately motivating me toward my goal of integrating research directly into my future medical career.”

Andresan said the transition into her clinical years of medical school will help solidify her vision of the future and what it means for her career. She hopes to practice in a field involving trauma, acute or critical care, which require rapid decision making in unpredictable situations.

“I am drawn to the unique responsibility and trust placed in physicians in these moments, where a split-second choice can alter the course of a patient’s life,” said Andresan. “Being in that position – navigating uncertainty, acting decisively and helping patients through some of the most difficult moments in their lives – is both a challenge and an honor that I am eager to take on.”

Andresan also wants to conduct research in these fields to advance outcomes for patients. Her goals are to enhance trauma stabilization, optimize critical care protocols and develop procedural innovations that support both physicians and patients.

“I was drawn to the Henry Ford Scholarly Activity Clerkship Pilot because it provides an unparalleled opportunity to immerse myself in both clinical practice and research within a high-acuity, high-volume setting,” Andresan explained. “As one of North America’s leading Level 1 trauma centers, Henry Ford Main offers exposure to trauma and acute care at its highest level – precisely the environment I want to train in as I prepare for a career in these fields."

Trauma and acute care are complex and fast-paced specialties. Andresan said she wants to challenge herself with this clerkship pilot so she can become an adaptable and decisive physician.

“I believe that the best physicians are shaped by the challenges they embrace early in their training,” she said. “The more I push myself now, the better prepared I will be to provide exceptional care for my future patients.”

Long before he became a D.O. student, Trey Heliin knew he was destined for a medical future, thanks to the example his mother set.

Trey Heliin (left) with clerkship co-pilot Zachary Kam.

“What really inspired me were the relationships that she developed with her patients,” Heliin recalled. “She would get recognized at the grocery store, restaurants, school events – and every time was commended for how great of a provider she was. I envied the relationships that she was able to develop, and the trust that patients had in her. That inspired me to pursue medicine and be the one that people depend on in vulnerable situations.”

Heliin currently studies chronic low back pain through interviewing practicing physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians with the goal of determining best practices for assessing and treating the condition. He intends to pursue a specialty in physical medicine and rehabilitation and is excited to join the clerkship pilot because Henry Ford invests in facilities and research within the specialty.

“The expansion of Henry Ford and the investment into physical medicine and rehabilitation is something that really drew my attention,” Heliin said. “Seeking a new partnership with a top-ranked rehabilitation lab in Chicago's Shirley Ryan AbilityLab shows dedication to the field, and I would love to be a part of this new opportunity, contributing however I can. Training at a cutting-edge health care facility and being familiar with the newest advancements will help me in my future best practice.”

Combining resources between MSU and Henry Ford enables new research to begin and later translate into clinics where patient outcomes can be improved. Heliin is excited to learn and round with some of the best physicians in the state.

“This is a unique opportunity, which can allow me to see through this translation of research to clinical care,” Heliin said. “The training I’ll receive at Henry Ford is second to none, and I believe that this will make me a strong and capable physician in the future.”

Viji Jambunathan started her research journey as an undergraduate student studying food science and human nutrition. She later became interested in medical education, both at academic and community levels. Today, Jambunathan is earning her MBA with a concentration in health care management through the college’s D.O. - MBA Program with MSU’s Eli Broad College of Business. She sees a future career in health care administration, working alongside clinical practice.

Viji Jambunathan (right) at a research poster presentation with Dr. Carolina Restini.

“As the health care field continues to evolve, there is a lot of business influence, especially within the United States,” Jambunathan explained. “I really want to make a tangible difference in improving health care delivery, literacy, equity – important aspects in health care that are hard to change as a physician alone.”

Jambunathan joined the clerkship pilot to continue her involvement with medical education research while expanding her clinical research experiences to include diverse pathologies and patient populations. As a local and daughter of two doctors who completed their residencies at Henry Ford, she’s excited to begin her own experience at the site.

“Growing up in metro Detroit, Henry Ford has always had a strong reputation. They have a strong commitment to quality patient care, a lot of cutting-edge research and innovation and an exceptional medical staff,” Jambunathan said. “I will be able to further my research skills and gain valuable, hands-on patient care experience.

“I want to incorporate that experience into improving patient outcomes and advancing health care delivery. I want to understand more of the inequities and disparities that occur in our health care system, which training at Henry Ford will help me explore.”

For Jambunathan, the COVID pandemic was a major motivator for her to make a difference in health literacy. She remembers the misinformation that was spread and the mistrust it engendered for patients and wants to act as a supportive guide for them in her future career.

“I want to make sure patients are able to make educated decisions about their health and that they're getting accurate, evidence-based information so that they can make the best life choices for their own health,” Jambunathan said. ”I want to improve health literacy to enhance quality of life for individuals and communities.”

With experience in education, global health and even diagnostic tools for laryngeal dystonia, Zachary Kam conducted bench research throughout his undergraduate schooling. These experiences instilled a great appreciation for what research offers society: the exploration of human disease and dysfunction.

“Research can find what is unknown and may even reveal important conclusions that can be utilized for diagnostic or treatment therapies,” Kam explained. “Being able to contribute to medical discovery is what inspired me to get involved in research.”

Kam points to better treatment for patients in local communities as a top motivator for his research career. He joined the clerkship pilot to gain clinical research experience while supporting patient care in Metro Detroit. With his current research group in laryngology beginning collaborations with Henry Ford’s department of Otolaryngology, the clerkship pilot will provide the clinical and research-based experience he is looking for.

“Bringing together MSU and Henry Ford – two institutions well-known for their commitment to research and dedication to assisting communities across the state – this partnership will be extremely beneficial for medical advancement and innovation,” said Kam. “There is great potential for this partnership to be a gamechanger for medical advancement and patient care for the entire state of Michigan, and it is an honor to be a small piece of this collaboration.

“My end goal is to become an experienced, knowledgeable and confident physician. I know that the training I’ll receive at Henry Ford will provide me with the tools to do so.”

Highly interested in interdisciplinary research, D.O. student Lingxi Xiong has a background in financial analysis, pharmaceuticals and diverse research interests, including cardiology, surgery, immunology and neurodegenerative diseases. Xiong wants to expand and deepen her research experience and saw the clerkship pilot as a high-value opportunity to do so.

“Henry Ford Hospital is renowned for its contributions to cutting-edge clinical and biomedical research, with many pivotal clinical trials originating here,” Xiong explained. “I applied to gain exposure to high-impact research, engage in advanced scientific discussions and connect with lifelong mentors who will help shape my future as a physician-scientist.”

Currently, Xiong supports a neurophysiological research project focused on neural feedback pathways, which she said complements her hands-on experience as a medical scribe and in clinical trials with Takeda China and Sanofi China. She sees these past experiences and her participation in the clerkship pilot as key building blocks for a future career in drug development and other facets of medicine and education.

“I aim to contribute to understanding pathophysiology and developing targeted therapies. I am also passionate about medical education, health equity and improving health care accessibility to ensure sustainable, patient-centered solutions,” Xiong said.

The clerkship pilot will foster key collaborations between academia and clinical research to bridge fundamental science with real-world patient care, and Xiong said this is exactly the medical training that she needs to realize her own potential and potential outcomes for patients.

“By working with Henry Ford’s physician-scientists, I will gain experience translating research into clinical applications, improving patient outcomes and addressing health care disparities through evidence-based solutions. This opportunity equips me with the skills and network needed to drive meaningful advancements in medicine.”