50 Heroes: Dr. Michael Clearfield

Dr. Michael ClearfieldDr. Michael Clearfield dedicated over two decades to developing HSC’s Internal Medicine Department into one of the largest and most productive academically in the osteopathic profession.

Dr. Clearfield served as both faculty and administrator from 1979 to 2006. He served for 20 years as the Chair of Internal Medicine until he was appointed Associate Dean for Clinical Research and named Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Distinguished Chair in Clinical Research.

Dr. Clearfield shared his love and enthusiasm for medicine with his students while stressing the importance their academic work in becoming a better physician. A former student, Dr. Eric Solomon, said that Dr. Clearfield “challenged students to think and be meticulous in examination, diagnosis and care of patients.” He reiterated the idea that “a patient’s welfare was their primary mission.”

His teaching efforts gained him national recognition in 2004 when he received the 2004 Darryl A. Beehler, DO Mentor of the Year Award at the American Osteopathic Association Research Conference for his significant contributions to mentoring and developing future researchers in osteopathic medicine.

Dr. Clearfield’s dedication to the osteopathic profession has had a profound impact on his former students’ careers and has helped shape future doctors at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine.


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Honor your HSC hero today! Please make a tribute gift, submit a photo or share a story that you value.

Join us throughout 2020 as we celebrate the people, events and innovations that made UNTHSC all it is today — and look ahead to the next 50 years.

For the 50th anniversary, team members nominated people whose contributions make them HSC Heroes. Each week, a new Hero will be revealed.

View the list of all our Hero profiles published so far this year. There is a new one each week.

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