2024-2025 Vernie A. Stembridge Winners Announced

Published on: June 25, 2025

The Vernie A. Stembridge Faculty Teaching Award is presented annually in honor of Vernie A. Stembridge, M.D., in recognition of his dedication and commitment to excellence in house staff teaching. Dr. Stembridge was the Pathology Chair from 1967 until 1988.

Residents choose two faculty recipients (one AP and one CP) for their role in the residents' training.

This year's recipients are Associate Professor Elena Lucas, M.D. for Anatomic Pathology, and Assistant Professor Brian Adkins, M.D. for Clinical Pathology.

This is the fourth time Dr. Lucas has won the anatomic pathology teaching award. This is the first clinical pathology teaching award for Dr. Adkins.

Drs. Lucas and Adkins both received a small plaque, and their names have been engraved on a larger permanent plaque that hangs in the Chair's Office. Congratulations to both.