Dr. Micah Nishigaki: William F. Ross, M.D., Scholarship Award in Family Medicine
For as long as she can remember, Dr. Micah Nishigaki has always been captivated by science and health. As a medical student, she never met a specialty she didn’t love, and she found family medicine to be the perfect combination of the best parts of all of them – full-spectrum health care across all ages. Dr. Nishigaki, who matched at UT Southwestern for her residency, is one of this year’s winners of the William F. Ross, M.D., Scholarship Award in Family Medicine.
What this award means: “I’m honored that my hard work has been noticed by someone. It’s a really great feeling.”
Mentor comment: “Micah has an infectious smile and tremendous can-do attitude. She has the kind of personality that patients will find highly endearing, and I have no doubt she will develop a cadre of patients who will refuse to see any other physician except her.” – Dr. Dan Sepdham, Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Background and family: “I was born in Tokyo and moved to San Antonio when I was 5 years old. I was mainly raised by my single, immigrant Japanese mother, who worked tirelessly to help my sister and me get to where we are today.”
What led to your career path: “I have been fascinated by science and the human body since I was a wee lass, and medicine is an awesome intersection of these subjects. Throughout my medical school journey, I realized I liked a little of every specialty and caring for patients from all backgrounds and ages – family medicine seemed like the perfect fit! I’m so glad to be part of the family.”
College: “I majored in brain and cognitive sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.”
UTSW activities: “I was involved in the Family Medicine Interest Group, served as a UTSW peer mentor for MS1s, volunteered at various free clinics and culinary medicine classes, and participated in ‘The Vagina Monologues.”
Surprising fact: “I get scared very easily! I sleep with a colorful nightlight on.”
Future plans: “I’m very passionate about health and wellness, and I hope to emphasize the importance of this to my patients, especially with a focus on nutrition/culinary medicine.”
About the award: Named after the Chair of Family and Community Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center from 1984 to 1993, the Ross Award includes a $1,000 scholarship from the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians Foundation.