Excellence in education on campus, within UT System recognized

New Southwestern Academy of Teachers members
New Southwestern Academy of Teachers members joining Dr. J. Gregory Fitz (center) were (from left) Drs. Dorothy Sendelbach, Larissa Velez, Laura Lacritz, and Steven Vernino. Other 2015 SWAT inductees not pictured are Drs. Keith Argenbright and Elliot Frohman. Photo by Michael Lorfing.

By Lin Lofley

Outstanding educators from all three of the schools at UT Southwestern Medical Center were recognized recently at the 11th Annual Excellence in Education reception and awards ceremony.

The event in the A.W. Harris Faculty and Alumni Center, sponsored by the Southwestern Academy of Teachers (SWAT), was hosted by Dr. Greg Fitz, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, and Dean of UT Southwestern Medical School; and Kim Hoggatt Krumwiede, SWAT President, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at UT Southwestern School of Health Professions.

This year, for the first time, the ceremony encompassed educational recognitions for all three schools – Medical School, School of Health Professions, and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Dr. Jon Williamson, recently named School of Health Professions Dean, and Dr. Andrew Zinn, Graduate School Dean, were also on hand to help recognize their talented faculty.

Drs. Cuthbert, Fitz, and Shay holding awards
Dr. J. Gregory Fitz (center) joins Drs. Jennifer Cuthbert and Jerry Shay after they received Distinguished Educator honors at the 11th Annual Excellence in Education reception and awards ceremony.

Dr. Jennifer Cuthbert, Professor of Internal Medicine, and Dr. Jerry Shay, Professor of Cell Biology, received Distinguished Educator honors for the Medical School. The 2015 Distinguished Clinical Science Educator Award, won by Dr. Cuthbert, is presented by SWAT in recognition of teaching and learning accomplishments that combine the science of medicine with patient care.

“As a clinician, I am taught by patients; and as a teacher, I am taught by learners,” said Dr. Cuthbert, who expressed how privileged she is to join the select group of previous recipients of the award. “There is no equal to the inspiration and enjoyment generated in me by students who question the most basic tenets of medicine or ask ‘Why is it so?’

“While providing answers to the students, I learn too while demonstrating to them that learning is lifelong. Helping students to not only educate themselves but also to use their new knowledge and understanding to educate colleagues and patients is an unparalleled reward.”

The Distinguished Basic Science Educator Award, won by Dr. Shay, is the highest honor bestowed by SWAT for educational activities emphasizing the scientific foundation of medicine and is meant to highlight superb teachers for fostering excellence in teaching at all levels and for stimulating innovation and scholarship in education.

“I am most proud when I see I can make a positive difference in someone’s academic career and can look back and see the amazing accomplishments of those whom I have mentored,” Dr. Shay said. “I truly believe the future of biomedical science is in the hands of the students we teach and mentor toward careers as scientists and physicians. While in research we are only as good as our last experiment, the students we mentor and their future students are a legacy that will endure.”

SWAT also awarded Outstanding Teachers within the last academic year from the three schools. The Outstanding Teacher from the School of Health Professions was David Klocko, Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Studies.

Outstanding Teachers from the Medical School were Dr. Heather Wickless, Assistant Professor of Dermatology and of Clinical Science, and – in an unusual tie vote – Dr. Adam Brenner, Professor of Psychiatry; and Dr. Celia Jenkins, also Professor of Psychiatry, and of Basic Science.

SWAT inducted six new members. They are:

  • Dr. Keith Argenbright, Professor of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, and of Clinical Sciences;
  • Dr. Elliot Frohman, Professor of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, and of Ophthalmology;
  • Dr. Laura Lacritz, Professor of Psychiatry, and of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics;
  • Dr. Dorothy Sendelbach, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, and Professor of Pediatrics;
  • Dr. Larissa Velez, Professor of Emergency Medicine; and
  • Dr. Steven Vernino, Professor of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics.

Dr. Sendelbach and Dr. Angela Mihalic, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and Professor of Pediatrics; were recognized for their induction into the UT System Kenneth I. Shine, MD, Academy of Health Science Education; and Dr. Helen Yin, Professor of Physiology, and of Faculty Diversity and Development for receiving a 2015 Innovations in Health Science Education Award.

SWAT also recognized winners of the 2015 Regents Outstanding Teaching Awards, which were bestowed in August by the UT System. Those honorees were Dr. Albanesi, Dr. Greenberg, Mr. Klocko, Ms. Krumwiede, Dr. Phelan, and Dr. Clifford Wai, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Group photo at lunch table
The 11th Annual Excellence in Education reception and awards ceremony included educators from all three schools at UT Southwestern.

Dr. Blomquist holds the Dr. W. Maxwell Thomas Chair in Ophthalmology.

Dr. Fitz holds the Nadine and Tom Craddick Distinguished Chair in Medical Science, and the Atticus James Gill, M.D. Chair in Medical Science.

Dr. Frohman holds the Irene Wadel and Robert I. Atha, Jr. Distinguished Chair in Neurology, named in his honor; and the Kenney Marie Dixon-Pickens Distinguished Professorship in Multiple Sclerosis Research.

Dr. Molberg holds the Philip O’Bryan Montgomery Jr., M.D., Professorship in Surgical Pathology.

Dr. Shay holds The Southland Financial Corporation Distinguished Chair in Geriatrics.

Dr. Velez holds the Michael P. Wainscott, M.D. Professorship in Emergency Medicine.

Dr. Vernino holds the Dr. Bob and Jean Smith Foundation Distinguished Chair in Neuromuscular Disease Research.