Mentoring Award
This award celebrates clinicians who demonstrate exceptional commitment and effectiveness as mentors to health care providers.
Gilberto A. Salazar, M.D., FACEP
Benjamin N. Nguyen, M.D.
Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Every student hopes to discover a mentor who is attentive, available, and offers encouragement throughout their academic journey. Dr. Benjamin N. Nguyen transcends these expectations.
His commitment is steady and personal, and it builds community.
One mentee recalls receiving unexpected but always welcome phone calls from Dr. Nguyen, not only to check in, but to ask if he could introduce a medical student with a similar background. “Dr. Nguyen is a mentor’s mentor,” the doctor wrote. “The support I received as a premedical and medical student stemmed from his kindness, experience, and networking abilities. He makes PM&R feel welcoming – and makes it look easy while doing so.”
Another former student noted that from the very beginning, Dr. Nguyen distinguished himself with his consistent presence, compassion, and authentic investment in the growth of his mentees: “His mentorship extends far beyond check-ins and career advice, and he shows up when it matters most.”
And that student should know. When he suffered a devastating knee injury during medical school and was forced to take a semester off, resulting in his scholarship being revoked, without hesitation, Dr. Nguyen stepped in. He personally advocated for the reinstatement of the scholarship, navigating the administrative process to ensure the student had the support needed to continue his training. In addition, he regularly reached out during the student’s medical leave to check in and ask if there was anything he could do to help.
Dr. Nguyen has served as the only Brain Injury Medicine Fellowship Program Director at UTSW’s Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) Department since 2006, and he is also involved in the newer Spasticity Management Fellowship. His fellowship graduates, as well as the residents, comment on his endless optimism and tireless work ethic.
“Dr. Nguyen is always approachable and never intimidating when rounding or in clinic,” wrote his nominator. “The fellows and residents also note that he is a role model on how to be a team player and a professional.”
Because of Dr. Nguyen, 13 Brain Injury Medicine fellows have trained, graduated, and obtained their board certification. They now practice in all areas around North America, from Dallas to Pennsylvania and from California to Canada.
Perhaps his largest area of mentorship has been his work as part of the Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) since 2010 and as a JAMP Council member since 2015. JAMP provides financial resources as well as mentorship for undergraduate and medical students whose backgrounds might have otherwise not allowed them to successfully pursue medicine. Dr. Nguyen has served on various committees and in leadership roles for JAMP, and due to his efforts, the JAMP program at UTSW has continued to grow.
Additionally, he is the Lead/Director of the UTSW JAMP Summer II Program, and as part of his role, he enlists other faculty, residents, fellows, and advanced practice providers to help teach the students. They get a flavor of medical school, residency, and a career in medicine, and through Dr. Nguyen, they also are exposed to a specialty that is less prominent and far from a common clinical rotation. His priority is not necessarily to influence the students into pursuing the field of PM&R, but to educate and model how to be caring, competent physicians.
Dr. Nguyen earned his medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine, where he also completed a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation. He served as the Martha Lyles Wilson Fellow in Brain Injury Rehabilitation at Mississippi’s Methodist Rehabilitation Center.
In his words: “Mentorship is not an action, an occurrence, or a phone call giving advice and listening to your mentees. It’s about building relationships that help all to grow. I get as much, if not more, from my mentees as they get from me. I am surprised and humbled by this award. It is not about me, but about the work of all the mentors who helped me to be where I am today and all my mentees who motivate me to continue paying it forward.”
Gilberto A. Salazar, M.D., FACEP
Professor of Emergency Medicine
Ask his colleagues and mentees what sets Dr. Gilberto “Gil” Salazar apart, and you’ll hear a common theme: He sees potential where others might not.
“Gil simply sees the best in everyone regardless of what road they may have taken to get here,” his nominator wrote. “His ability to inspire confidence, provide honest feedback, and help mentees identify their strengths make him an invaluable guide to many aspiring physicians, fellows, and residents.”
Through his influential leadership across faculty mentoring initiatives, recruitment committees, and clinical competency evaluations, Dr. Salazar has been instrumental in elevating both the quality and cohesion of the residency program. His mentorship pipeline – spanning premedical students, residents, and faculty – has consistently attracted and nurtured exceptional talent, reinforcing UT Southwestern’s reputation for academic distinction and clinical excellence.
“He has demonstrated an exceptional and sustained commitment to mentoring learners at all levels, from medical students to junior faculty,” his nominator continued. “His dedication is evident in his willingness to mentor broadly, consistently, and across multiple programs. He simply says ‘yes’ when offered any opportunity to help train others.”
Dr. Salazar serves on the R1 Clinical Competency Committee, mentoring first-year residents since 2016. Several of his mentees have gone on to become respected Chief Residents, faculty members, and fellows.
“Dr. Salazar’s mentorship has directly strengthened our clinical program by recruiting and developing high-performing residents and outstanding faculty members,” continued his nominator.
Among his many mentorship successes is Philip Jarrett, M.D., whom Dr. Salazar mentored during medical school and recruited to the residency program and later into a faculty position as Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, fostering a full-circle mentorship journey from student to colleague.
Being a part of the success of his mentees brings Dr. Salazar distinct joy. His mentorship is hands-on, with him frequently inviting mentees to collaborate on research, participate in clinical experiences, and attend professional events.
As Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine Mentoring Committee, Dr. Salazar also leads a mentoring program for new faculty. In addition, he is deeply involved in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support training for a large number of learners from EMT/paramedics to physician assistants and medical students to faculty needing credentialing.
His commitment to the education of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) fellows is long-standing, and he has recently been named Program Director of UTSW’s EMS Fellowship Program, which trains two people per year.
Additionally, Dr. Salazar has a strong commitment to mentoring students and residents who are entering the field of medicine from previously challenging educational or economic backgrounds. Through UT Southwestern’s Office for Institutional Opportunity, he mentors first-year medical students from underrepresented backgrounds, helping many navigate their path as they explore a career in medicine.
Dr. Salazar earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston (now McGovern Medical School) and completed an emergency medicine residency at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He received additional training in the EMS Fellowship Program at UT Southwestern.
In his words: “I came to the United States as an immigrant and settled in the great city of Dallas. So many individuals along the way lifted me and ensured I made it here. UT Southwestern has been an invaluable part of that journey, and I now get to pay it forward by serving our wonderful community of patients, colleagues, and learners. Mentoring has become an integral part of my approach to fulfilling my promise to lift others, and I am deeply honored to be recognized for doing it with intention and love. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the opportunity to serve!”