Lifetime Achievement AwardJohn P. McGovern Academy of Oslerian Medicine
In 2001, UTMB’s Office of the President established the John P. McGovern Lifetime Achievement Award in Oslerian Medicine, an award that recognizes the practice and teaching of humane medicine in the tradition of Sir William Osler and affirms the
university’s commitment to Oslerian ideals. Born in 1849 in Canada, Osler served on the medical faculties of McGill, the University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins, reaching the peak of his career as Regius professor of medicine at Oxford.
Osler pioneered the practice of teaching at the bedside and initiated the modern residency program. His The Principles and Practice
of Medicine was the standard text for half a century of medical students. Above all, Osler demonstrated, in both patient care and teaching, deep compassion, understanding, and love for his fellow human beings.
Candidates for the award include anyone who is a School of Medicine alumnus or has completed their residency, a fellowship or spent time as a faculty member for greater than or equal to 5 years. The selection will be made by the McGovern Academy's current
Osler Scholars who will assess nominees for their longstanding and distinguished careers of service in four categories:
- Combining scientific principles with humane practice in his/her clinical care and being committed to the relief of patients' suffering;
- Displaying imaginative, innovative, and inspirational teaching;
- Displaying exemplary personal attributes: honesty, modesty, generosity, affection, a respect for the past, spirituality and passion for aesthetic and creative pursuits; and
- Displaying social consciousness and community involvement.
Current Recipient
Faculty
-
C. Joan Richardson, MD
2022 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Dr. Richardson is Professor and Chair, Department
of Pediatrics, and Director of the Division of Neonatology. She holds the John Sealy Centennial Distinguished Chair in Neonatology and the John Sealy Distinguished Chair in Pediatrics. She is a Scholar in the John P. McGovern Academy of Oslerian Medicine
and is the UTMB Institutional Emergency Preparedness Officer.
Dr. Richardson received her B.A. degree in Zoology from the University of Texas at Austin and her MD degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, where she also completed her residency in Pediatrics. She completed her fellowship in
Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at the University of California, San Diego/LaJolla School of Medicine. Dr. Richardson has been a member of the UTMB faculty since 1974. She has held many administrative positions in the department and the institution, serving
as Medical Director of UTMB Inpatient Services from 1999 to 2007 and Assistant Dean for Faculty Practice from 2004 to 2007. Before becoming Chair of the Department, she was Vice-Chair from 1991-2008. Her interests center around medical education,
health care administration, faculty development, and care of the high-risk newborn.