Teachers of Distinction celebrated at annual event
The Teachers of Distinction Awards are celebrated annually in recognition of excellence in community-based medical education. It is sponsored by the Office of Regional Medical Education (ORME), of the UTMB School of Medicine and the East Texas Area Health Education Center (AHEC). Dr. Michael Ainsworth, associate dean for regional medical education (Galveston), hosted this year’s awards ceremony.
Eight community physicians, from a pool of more than 350 active preceptors, were selected for the 2007 Teachers of Distinction (Top Doc) Award. The Top Doc Committee selects final award recipients after nominations are received from course directors and AHEC representatives based on exemplary student evaluations, time and commitment to community-based education, quality of the educational environment and participation in faculty development and community service activities.
Teachers of Distinction have been recognized since 1999 as a means to acknowledge the contributions of community-based physicians who have given their time and effort for the education of the next generation of health care professionals. UTMB, the Office of Regional Medical Education and the Area Health Education Centers extend their deepest appreciation to these role models who, in providing quality and compassionate care to their patients, have made a lasting impact on the lives of their students.
This year’s Top Docs are Drs. Jennifer L. Caffey, Patricia A. Wilcox, Michelle A. Mercatante, Leighton E. Ellis, Angelina Farella, Eduardo A. Garcia, Boris A. Gritzka, and Maria C. Scranton.
Dr. John Luk, assistant dean for regional medical education (Austin), presented Dr. George E. Reynolds, III, an Austin pediatrician, with the Master Preceptor award. This award was created to recognize sustained commitment to excellence in the community-based education of UTMB School of Medicine students. Recipients have worked with multiple students for two or more years, received superior evaluations from all students precepted, a history of recognition for teaching contributions, and a commitment toward life-long learning through continuing education in medical teaching.
Ruthanna Ward, R.N., B.S.N. was this year’s recipient of the Regional Medical Education Distinguished Service Recognition award. This award was created to recognize an individual or group that has provided distinguished, longstanding service to community-based education. Recipients have demonstrated a commitment to the community by demonstrating excellence in their daily activities, and by fostering appreciation for the value of community-based education in the students we serve.
The Austin Educator of the Year award was presented to Dr. Ben Coopwood from the Department of Surgery at the Brackenridge Hospital. This award recognizes a UTMB/Austin Medical Education Program (AMEP) faculty educator for the highest level of achievement in education of UTMB School of Medicine students. Year 3 and Year 4 Austin-based students submit nominations, and the selection committee considers a range of criteria in selecting each year’s awardee.
The Bailey R. Collins, M.D. Scholarship awards were presented to Brandon Bolfing, Betty Cox, Rachel Dickerson, Theodore DeMartini, Tori DeMartini, Joanna McKey, Lori Murphy, and Abhilasha Patel. The wills of Mrs. Mary Sue Hibbs and. Ellene Collins Ward established the Bailey R. Collins, MD Scholarship in memory of their brother, Dr. Bailey R. Collins, a 1923 UTMB School of Medicine graduate. It is awarded to deserving students in the third or fourth-year of medical school who have demonstrated a commitment to a career in primary care family medicine, internal medicine or pediatrics, and who have established a record of academic achievement, leadership, and community, volunteer, and public service during medical school training.