CHM Distinguished Service Award
November 11, 2021
Please join us in congratulating Professor Emeritus Nigel Paneth, who was selected as a recipient of the Lester J. Evans, MD College of Human Medicine Distinguished Service Award. The award recognizes those individuals who have made major and enduring contributions to the development of the College of Human Medicine. Past winners have included former deans of the college, individuals who have founded a department, faculty who have developed or promoted innovative education programs, and individuals who have helped to shape a community network.
A brief history of Dr. Paneth’s arrival at MSU and the founding and growth of the department from his nomination letter: “Dr. Paneth left a tenured position at Columbia University and came to the College of Human Medicine (CHM) at Michigan State University in 1989 to develop a Program in Epidemiology. In less than a decade, the program first established an MS degree program in Epidemiology in 1994 and then became a Department in 1997, with Paneth serving from 1997–2002 as its first chair. The legacy he began has grown vastly with the Department offering a Certificate in Epidemiology in 1999, a PhD in Epidemiology in 2001, an undergraduate specialization in Global Health and Epidemiology in 2007, an MS in Biostatistics in 2013, and most recently a PhD in Biostatistics in 2017. As a reflection of Dr. Paneth’s vision, the Program became the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in 2012, one of only a few in the country that reside within a medical school. This was motivated by Dr. Paneth’s experience as a physician-scientist and his firm commitment to instilling the next generation of medical students and graduate students with the epidemiologic and public health skills necessary to improve not only the health of individual patients, but the health of communities in Michigan and across the nation.” -Jean Kerver, PhD, MSc, RD, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Michigan State University
A few quotes from the nomination package:
“…..Nigel’s approach to education inspires students to imagine the possibilities.” -
Crystal Pirtle Tyler PhD, Executive Director, The Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry & Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health, The University of Chicago
“A nationally-recognized and respected pediatrician and epidemiologist, a university distinguished professor, Nigel is a legend. In all of my travels, everyone – everywhere – knows Nigel. I can’t think of anyone else more deserving of this award.”
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, Associate Professor and Director of the Pediatric Public Health Initiative & Pediatric Residency Program, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University
Congratulations Dr. Paneth on this well-deserved award!