Whatever the task, Dr. Alec Mason wants to lend a hand and make a difference. His passion for helping others, whether to assist patients, mentor fellow students, or volunteer in the community, led to his selection by classmates as this year’s Iatros Award winner. The award is based on attributes that embody the ideal physician, including patient care, clinical ability, leadership, and community service.

Alec Mason, M.D.

What this award means: The Iatros Award is especially meaningful because it is a uniquely peer-nominated and selected award. It is such an honor knowing that my peers found me deserving of this recognition despite being kept apart by the pandemic during our first years of medical school.

Class of 2024 student comments: He will often go above and beyond for his patients. On our pediatric rotation, he would spend extra time with the mother of a patient with an unknown disease and worked hard to facilitate her workup, eventually finding the cause. … Alec has been an incredible leader in student government and in the community. He always puts forth his best effort in all he does. … Numerous times I have seen his dedication to his peers and his community. Whether it was taking extra time to help teach classmates before a preclinical exam, comforting patients at the bedside prior to surgery, or investing in the next generation of leaders for United to Serve, he truly embodies the criteria of the Iatros Award.

Background and family: I was born and raised in Bossier City, Louisiana. My mother and father, a respiratory therapist and a pharmacist, respectively, were instrumental in sparking an early interest in health care as a career and supporting me every step of the way. My sister started nursing school at the same time I started medical school, and it has been really interesting watching both of us develop our skills at these early stages of our careers.

What led to your career path: A large portion of my family members are health care workers, particularly pharmacists. Growing up watching my father, grandfather, and several of my aunts and uncles work in pharmacies convinced me that I would follow in their footsteps. In middle school, one of my close friends was diagnosed with cancer and unfortunately passed a few years later. Witnessing my friend’s struggle inspired me to pursue a career as a physician, which would allow me to make an impact most directly on the diagnosis and treatment of those affected by disease.

College: I graduated summa cum laude with honors in the liberal arts from Southern Methodist University with a major in chemistry and a minor in mathematics. At SMU, I was involved in several activities, including playing alto saxophone and flute for the Mustang Band, organizing advocacy efforts as a member of the SMU Human Rights Program, and serving as a mentor and resource for my fellow students as a resident (housing) assistant. I was inducted into both Phi Beta Kappa and the Hyer Society, and I was selected by my colleagues in residential housing to receive the honors of Upperclassman of the Year and the Integritas in Perpetuum (“Integrity without End”) Award.

UTSW activities: I have had the privilege of serving as the student government senator for Seldin College. This role has not only allowed me to plan social events for members of my academic college, but also to serve on several committees helping to shape the clinical skills curriculum. I have also been active in United to Serve, an organization that hosts a large annual health fair for members of the Dallas-Fort Worth community. In my first year, I helped to create a video explaining the science behind vaccination for the virtual health fair, and I later took on roles with increasing responsibility, culminating in serving as one of the student directors of the organization in my fourth year.

Surprising fact: One of my favorite hobbies is trying new recipes, making them look really pretty on a plate, and sharing the results with my friends and loved ones both in person and through posts on social media.

Future plans: I’m thrilled to be starting my training in internal medicine right here at UT Southwestern in the coming months. My goal is to learn as much as I can in the next three years to become the best internal medicine physician I can be. After residency training, I hope to obtain fellowship training in gastroenterology and later find a faculty position where I can be active in medical education.

About the award: The Iatros Award was established by the UT Southwestern Medical School Class of 1984 to honor a graduate who most emulates the complete qualities of a physician. The Iatros Award carries a cash prize provided by the Alumni Association.