President's Message
Associate Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
It is an honor to welcome you to a new year of collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose within the UT Southwestern Academy of Teachers. As a community dedicated to excellence in teaching, we stand at the crossroads of tradition and transformation, carrying forward UT Southwestern’s longstanding mission to educate, discover, and heal while shaping the next generation of scientists, clinicians, and health professionals.
At UT Southwestern, our educational mission has been central since 1943, growing into a top medical center known for biomedical research, clinical care, and health sciences education. Our Academy supports this by cultivating educators, promoting evidence-based teaching, and fostering mentorship and scholarship.
The strength of our Academy is its members. SWAT educators are nominated for their consistent excellence in teaching, curriculum development, mentorship, and educational leadership, forming a team of experts who support faculty across all our schools. This interdisciplinary team allows us to improve the learning environment at every level, from basic and pre-clinical instruction to advanced residency training.
As medical and scientific knowledge expands, our teaching methods must adapt. The Academy is dedicated to leading this change through initiatives like the Alfred G. Gilman Education Symposium, SWAT Grants, and SWAT/OME Fellowship. These platforms foster innovation, collaboration, and scholarly growth, ensuring educators meet current needs and shape future models.
In March of this year, we also hosted a reenvisioned “Celebrating Excellence in Education” ceremony recognizing excellence across our campus, along with a ribbon-cutting for our new education display. Recognizing and honoring our educators' achievements strengthens the teaching culture at UT Southwestern and highlights the profound impact they have on learners, programs, and patient care.
As your President, I am committed to fostering an environment that values collaboration, supports innovative scholarship, and welcomes diverse perspectives. Together, we will continue advancing educational excellence across UT Southwestern—empowering faculty, uplifting learners, and ensuring that our institution remains a national leader in academic medicine and health sciences education.
Thank you for your dedication to teaching, your commitment to our learners, and your contributions to a healthier and more knowledgeable society.
Stu Ravnik, Ph.D.
President, UT Southwestern Academy of Teachers