by Cindy A. Abole, Public Relations
Maria Makhlouf helps her son, Michel, with his commencement attire as brother, Tony and father, Antonios Makhlouf, look on. A graduate of the Medical Scientist Training Program, Makhlouf will receive his medical and graduate degrees today.
Science is a family affair for Michel Makhlouf.
This eldest son in a family of eight will become the family's first medical scientist when he receives his diploma during MUSC's 170th commencement. He will also be the family's sixth physician.
I
always wanted to be a doctor, said Makhlouf. His mother is a high school
science teacher and his father runs a clinical pathology lab in their native
Lebanon. I've always wanted to learn about academics. I wasn't content
just being the person reading textbooks, I wanted to be the person involved
in writing them.
Makhlouf began his studies with the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) in 1991.
After completing a degree in biology from American University in Beruit, Makhlouf was introduced to MUSC through Billy Bagget, Ph.D., professor of obstetrics, gynecology, biochemistry and molecular biology. Bagget knew a mutual friend of Makhlouff's third sister, Rita, who was completing her pediatric residency and fellowship at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Makhlouf remembers being attracted to the intimate and friendly atmosphere presented by Perry Halushka, M.D., MSTP director and professor of the Department of Pharmacology, program students and staff.
It's the small things that make the difference when making this type of commitment, Makhlouf said with a smile.
The program, perhaps the university's longest and most academically intense, prepares students to become physician-scientists following tracks in medicine and graduate research. Students who complete the program receive a dual medical doctor and graduate doctorate degrees. Because the program is so specialized, it is not uncommon for a student to graduate within seven to nine years.
Five of Makhlouf's six sisters completed their medical studies in Lebanon. But geography was never a restriction in helping them realize their dreams. Although three of the sisters finished their residency training in Lebanon and stayed there, two were able to continue their medical training in the United States. Behind Rita was fifth sister, Grace, who completed her residency in internal medicine at Duke. She went on to finish a rheumatology fellowship at Baylor.
In 1998, sixth sister, Huda, graduated from MUSC's graduate program and received her doctorate in microbiology. She is currently working on her postdoctorate fellowship at Harvard's Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Now, younger brother Tony has just completed his seventh-year with MUSC's medical scientist in training program.
And what's next for Makhlouf?
The University of Pittsburgh where he will begin an obstetrics/gynecology residency.
Right now, he's content with the slower pace and looks forward to the challenges ahead in his residency work.