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From her undergraduate years to a current faculty position, Michelle Caird is loyal to U−M

Michelle Caird, M.D., assistant professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, loves the University of Michigan. Her choices reflect a passion for what was her school and is now her employer. Caird first chose U−M as an undergraduate majoring in engineering, then she chose U−M’s medical school. She later completed her residency in orthopaedic surgery at U−M. After completing a fellowship on the East Coast, she made possibly the most important choice—she returned to join the U−M faculty in 2004.

Caird’s appreciation for U−M’s medical school started during her undergraduate years. She worked in the lab of Robert Bartlett, M.D. Bartlett is known for many accomplishments, including developing the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine, or ECMO. ECMO is an artificial lung that can oxygenate the blood of those who have experienced acute heart or lung failure. Caird says, "Dr. Bartlett is such an inspiring person." She says the department of surgery is led by "innovators," and she appreciates the wonderful facilities.

Michelle Caird, M.D., pictured above with graduate student Jeff Meganck, chose U−M for her undergraduate and medical school education. Now, she’s an assistant professor at U−M and still learning from her mentors Frances Farley, M.D., and Robert Hensinger, M.D.

Career Guidance
Among the innovators are two of Caird’s mentors, Frances Farley, M.D., now chief, Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, and Robert Hensinger, M.D., currently professor of orthopaedic surgery. Caird says both Farley and Hensinger have been instrumental in the decisions she has made in her career, and she appreciates their guidance first as a medical student, then as a resident and now as a young faculty member.

Among Hensinger’s accomplishments are his contributions to understanding disease and his innovation in founding the publication of the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. "He really helped our subspecialty blossom," says Caird. Farley is respected for her "unlimited energy." Caird says, "She doesn't see obstacles."

Kelly VanderHave, M.D., another former U−M resident and current assistant professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, focuses on meeting the high expectations of her mentors and her patients.

Valued Colleagues
One of Caird’s colleagues, Kelly VanderHave, M.D., clinical assistant professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, also appreciated her U−M residency for some of the same reasons. VanderHave similarly benefited from the mentorship of Hensinger and Farley and knows the difference it makes to have a dedicated children’s hospital.

Both Caird and VanderHave are looking forward to the new U−M C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, which will have larger operating rooms and be able to serve more patients. A memorable coincidence, Caird accepted her job at Mott Children‘s Hospital on the same day the new hospital project was announced in the local newspaper.

First as talented residents, and now as respected surgeons, Caird and VanderHave don’t spend much time looking back. They are part of a cutting−edge department. VanderHave says, "They (Hensinger and Farley) allow us to keep pushing forward. People come to the university with high expectations, and we are able to meet those expectations."

For more information about the faculty, visit: www2.med.umich.edu/departments/ orthopaedic/

Clifford Craig, M.D., clinical associate professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, knows U−M is a great place for medical students. He graduated from U−M’s medical school in 1969 and returned primarily for two opportunities—a chance to work with internationally known Robert Hensinger, M.D., and the opportunity to teach medical students.

Craig is very enthusiastic about being in charge of the clinical clerkships for orthopaedic surgery. He welcomes the changes U−M Medical School Dean James Woolliscroft, M.D., introduced to promote cutting−edge medical education. Also, as the president of the Medical Center Alumni Society, Craig has supported initiatives like scholarships and other alumni opportunities, following Hensinger’s example of being involved in multiple areas.

"Some of the teachers and classmates I had are still here," says Craig. On returning to Michigan, Craig recalls Hensinger saying, "You'll see things here you've never seen before." Craig is now involved in making the medical school the best it can be for the next generation of doctors.