Carrying forward the Wayne State legacy
For Piero Simone, M.D.’95, the Wayne State University School of Medicine is more than his alma mater. That’s why he and his wife, Lucy, created the Piero A. Simone, M.D., and Lucy H. Simone Student Ambassador Endowed Scholarship. Through it, the Simones hope to ensure that future Warrior M.D.s continue to build the same sense of connection, pride and community that defined their Wayne State experiences.
When Dr. Simone attended the School of Medicine, he wanted to do whatever he could to connect to the university. As a medical student, he volunteered with admissions, conducted interviews, gave tours and interacted with prospective students. After completing his ophthalmology residency at Beaumont Eye Institute in Royal Oak, he dove into his career, but always kept Wayne State close.
In 2013, Dr. Simone returned to the School of Medicine, eager to get involved. For more than a decade he has served in multiple leadership roles with the Medical Alumni Association, most recently as president of its Board of Governors in 2024. He also is a volunteer faculty member at the school, where he regularly mentors students and interviews applicants.
What began as a personal Wayne State story has become a legacy, as many of his family members have become proud Warriors. Lucy Simone earned her master of arts degree in teaching while Dr. Simone attended medical school. His nephew and godson later attended the School of Medicine and joined him in the field of ophthalmology. Dr. Simone’s oldest daughter, Madeline, recently graduated from the School of Medicine and is completing her Family Medicine residency at the University of Illinois Chicago. His youngest daughter, Mia, is set to join the incoming class of Warrior M.D.s this July.
Dr. Simone participated in some of these family milestones firsthand. He presented both his nephew and his daughter, Madeline, with their white coats, celebrated Match Day alongside family, and participated in Madeline’s medical school graduation ceremony last year. These shared experiences have been especially meaningful, reflecting his pride in his alma mater and the joy of sharing that pride with loved ones. Looking ahead, he is excited to continue the tradition by presenting his youngest daughter, Mia, with her white coat on July 10.
The Simones are longtime supporters of the university and believe Wayne State has played a defining role in their lives.
“I really feel it shaped who I am, not just as a physician, but as a person,” he said.
The Simones’ strong connection to Detroit and desire to give back to the school that gave so much to them served as inspiration to invest in the future of Wayne State medical students.
The Simones’ scholarship will support medical students who serve as ambassadors and advocates for the School of Medicine through promotion, tours, assisting with admission interviews, engaging with prospective students and more. In recognizing these often behind-the-scenes contributions, the scholarship aims to elevate the importance of student engagement in shaping the school’s reputation and strengthening its connection with future generations.
To learn more about how to support the Wayne State School of Medicine, contact alumni@med.wayne.edu or the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs at 313-577-6943.