Since its foundation in 1943, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (then Southwestern Medical School) has been growing continuously and increasing its impact on healthcare services in North Texas and beyond. One of UT Southwestern’s missions is to educate physicians, scientists, and caregivers and thereby optimally prepare them to serve the needs of patients and society. The goal of the Southwestern Academy of Teachers [SWAT] is to support and enhance this educational mission.

The backbone of SWAT are its members, who collaborate and share ideas and educational progress within SWAT and with the entire UT Southwestern community.  SWAT members are nominated by their departments and elected by their peers based on their outstanding teaching skills and their experience in curriculum design, educational scholarship, and mentorship. We are looking forward to soon adding faculty from the newly founded School of Public Health to our existing membership from the Medical School, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Health Professions.

As scientific and medical knowledge continues to grow exponentially, the methods and technology to disseminate this knowledge must evolve to keep pace.  SWAT and its members strive to not only adapt within this ever-changing educational landscape but also to actively lead the way in driving innovation, positive change.  SWAT fosters educational advancement by organizing the annual Alfred G. Gilman Education Symposium and by funding the SWAT Educational Grants Program and the SWAT/OME Fellowship Program.  Both programs support innovative educational scholarship related to healthcare education for learners at all levels at UT Southwestern. This year, SWAT looks forward to recognizing the outstanding educators of UTSW by hosting the inaugural Celebration of Educational Excellence in November.

I am looking forward to serving the members of SWAT as well as the larger UTSW community of educators as the SWAT President for 2025.

Dan Sepdham, MD, FAAFP

Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Family and Community Medicine

SWAT President 2025