Weill Cornell faculty, administrators and student representatives honor the 26 recipients of the 2006 Excellence in Teaching Award.
Weill Cornell Medical College held its Seventh Annual Celebration of Teaching at the Cornell Club on June 12 to honor outstanding teachers and their contribution to the educational mission of the Medical College through Excellence in Teaching Awards.
"I salute all of the individuals who have helped craft the excellent educational experience at Weill Cornell Medical College," said Dr. Carol Storey-Johnson, senior associate dean of education. "In my position, I marvel at the level of creativity and problem-solving exhibited by the faculty in these endeavors."
From left: Dr. Lawrence Palmer, Dr. Thomas Maack, Dr. Domenick Falcone and Dr. Richard Lent.
The Excellence in Teaching Awards were inaugurated at the end of the 1999-2000 academic year, after the first class had completed the Medical College's redesigned curriculum, which challenged conventional teaching models by focusing on self-directed inquiry and small groups. Specifically, the new curriculum highlighted the sophisticated managerial and leadership position of course director—those charged with developing a particular course and overseeing its implementation by the multiple instructors who teach sections of the course. In addition, many more faculty teach in multiple modalities in the new, now current, curriculum.
The award-selection process includes both the input of students through course evaluation forms, as well as course director comments, which recognize substantial contributions by instructors "behind the scenes" that may not be visible to students. Instructors from Weill Cornell and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Healthcare System affiliates are eligible for the awards.
A toast to teaching: (from left) Deirdre Mole, Dr. Veronica LoFaso and Dr. Carol Capello.
While the awards specifically honor teaching, they also subtly recognize the myriad responsibilities of a physician-teacher.
"As physicians and teachers, we are committed to meeting our obligations to provide care to all who need it in an ethical and humanistic way," said Dr. Antonio Gotto Jr., dean of the Medical College.
The celebration also recognized the contributions of the Medical College's Board of Overseers and the outgoing student representative on the board, Joe Habboushe.
"We could not have done as much as we have done with this curriculum and these awards without the support of our overseers," Dr. Storey-Johnson said.
Twenty-six Weill Cornell instructors were recognized, many of whom not only teach and provide clinical care, but also run laboratories or play a role in the Medical College administration.
"Sometimes our educational tasks are frustrating and it takes every ounce of our energy to see our way through and run the lab and treat the patient," said Dr. Storey-Johnson. "But we wouldn't be in this work if it didn't give us enormous satisfaction to ultimately graduate the next group of trainees into our profession."
2006 Excellence in Teaching Award Winners
Dr. Dana Brooks (center), recipient of two Excellence in Teaching Awards, with Student Overseer Ankit Patel and Dr. Antonio Gotto.
Maria Almonte, M.D.
Medicine, Patients & Society I—Office Preceptorship
Bruce Ballard, M.D.
Psychiatry Clerkship
Dana Brooks, M.D.
Brain and Mind
Dana Brooks, M.D.
Innovations in Teaching
Jennifer DiPace, M.D.
Pediatrics Clerkship
Oliver Fein, M.D.
Medicine, Patients & Society I
Joseph Fins, M.D.
Advanced Basic Science
Leonard Groopman, M.D., Ph.D.
Medicine, Patients & Society III
Paul Heerdt, M.D., Ph.D.
Anesthesiology Clerkship
Lawrence Inra, M.D.
Medicine Patients & Society I—Office Preceptorship
Dr. Rana Kaplan (center) with Connie Chen, president of the Class of 2009, and Dr. Antonio Gotto.
Rana Kaplan, M.D.
Medicine Sub-Internship
Jason Kendler, M.D.
Medicine, Patients & Society II
Paul Kligfield, M.D.
Introductory Clerkship
Alfred Krauss, M.D.
Human Structure and Function
Meredith Lash, M.D.
Medicine, Patients & Society I—Office Preceptorship
Richard Lent, Ph.D.
Molecules, Genes and Cells
Charles Minick, M.D.
Host Defenses
Deirdre Mole, G.N.P.
Primary Care Clerkship
Joseph Murray, M.D.
Medicine, Patients and Society I
Melissa Nirenberg, M.D., Ph.D.
Neurology Clerkship
Eugene Nowak, M.D.
Surgery Clerkship
Snezana Osorio, M.D.
Pediatrics Sub-Internship
Drs. Meredish Lash, Maria Almonte and Lawrence Inra with former Student Overseer Joseph Habboushe (far left) and Dr. Antonio Gotto (far right).
Robert Post, M.D.
Obstetrics & Gynecology Clerkship
Ruth Scheuer, D.P.H., J.D.
Public Health
Alan Weinstein, M.D.
Basis of Disease
Suzanne Wenderoth, M.D.
Medicine Clerkship
Photos by Janet Charles.