2024 Professor of the Year Vignesh Doraiswamy, MD, celebrated for mentorship, kindness
When speaking with patients, Vignesh Doraiswamy, MD, always sits or kneels so he is at their eye level. And when working with medical students, no matter how brief or infrequent their time together, he always remembers their names and makes a point to say hello when he sees them.
These are just a couple examples of the small yet highly meaningful actions that learners in The Ohio State University College of Medicine appreciate about Dr. Doraiswamy, who is a clinical assistant professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. His genuine friendliness, kindness, compassion and sense of humor leave a positive impact on all who interact with him, his students say.
The Ohio State College of Medicine Class of 2024 selected Dr. Doraiswamy as its Professor of the Year, the highest teaching award given within the college. The award recognizes a faculty member who has significantly impacted the training of graduating students. In nominating Dr. Doraiswamy for the honor, students praised his unmatched commitment to medical education. They described him as a devoted mentor who is committed to providing a nurturing and inspiring learning environment.
On his own path to becoming a physician, Dr. Doraiswamy had the support of a village — family, friends, mentors and countless others who were there for him along the way. He says to be recognized out of the many incredible educators in the College of Medicine is very humbling.
“I didn’t get here without the help of probably hundreds or thousands of people supporting me in some way,” he says. “I want to be one of those hundreds or thousands for my students.”
Dr. Doraiswamy serves as the associate program director of the college’s combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Residency Program. He also works with medical students as a faculty tutor, a personal and professional development coach and an Applied Health Systems Science coach. He is actively involved in medical student and resident education and teaches about health equity and point-of-care ultrasound, among other topics.
“Dr. Doraiswamy’s dedication to students and patients shines through in all that he does,” says Carol R. Bradford, MD, MS, FACS, dean of the Ohio State College of Medicine. “Passionate educators like him are invaluable as we seek to educate the next generation of excellent health science professionals.”
When receiving the Professor of the Year Award at the college’s doctoral convocation in May, Dr. Doraiswamy shared a favorite quote from Albert Schweitzer, a renowned physician, missionary, philosopher and musician:
“Here, at whatever hour you come, you will find light, help and human kindness.”
It’s a sentiment Dr. Doraiswamy holds close when weariness creeps in; when the days are tough, and the night shifts are long. It’s one he hopes students will remember, too.
“This is what we are here for,” he says. “Even in your smallest actions, you are light, you are help, you are the pinnacle of human kindness, and moreover, you are always enough as you are.”
