Omar H. Butt, MD, PhD

Omar H. Butt, MD, PhD

DEPARTMENT OF NEUROLOGY
Instructor in Medicine

2023 Dean’s Impact Award Recipient

Omar H. Butt, MD, PhD, was a PGY4 neurology resident and one of two administrative chief residents in spring 2020 when COVID-19 appeared in our region. He had
just submitted our residency rank list after an extremely busy and successful residency recruitment season. It takes a special person to be faced with a challenge of this magnitude during an incredibly busy time and to take it on with not only exceptional competence and poise but also with the kind of attitude and energy capable of inspiring others to do the same. The School of Medicine is extremely fortunate that he was just such a person. Administrative chief residents take on this role during their standard PGY4 year, performing administrative and leadership duties in addition to their clinical workload. That spring, Butt worked tirelessly to rearrange schedules, create contingency pull lists and navigate personal protective equipment (PPE) requests and distribution, all while serving as point person for residents, communicating via emails, phone calls and town hall meetings. He reassured peers and took on extra front-line work to help colleagues who were nervous about being in the hospital due to special circumstances, such as having a comorbidity or having young children at home. His calm commitment and clear communication carried our trainees through this challenging time. To see this kind of leadership and maturity in someone so early in their career truly shows the kind of excellence that we harbor in this institution and that motivates us all to be better.

Dean’s Impact Awards 2023

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