Dr. Susana Morales Wins Society of General Internal Medicine’s Rhodes Service Award
Dr. Susana Morales, an associate professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, has been awarded the 2015 Elnora M. Rhodes Society of General Internal Medicine Service Award.
Dr. Susana Morales. Photo credit: Roger Tully
The Society of General Internal Medicine gives this annual award to an individual for outstanding service to the society and its mission of promoting community service, education, patient care and research in primary care internal medicine. The award, established in 1997 to honor Elnora Rhodes’ contributions during her 10 years as executive director, symbolizes the highest level of service to the society, a national organization of general internal medicine faculty. Dr. Morales will receive the award during the society’s annual meeting, slated for April in Toronto.
This is hardly the first accolade Dr. Morales has received from this society during her decades of service. She has won its Award for Excellence in Clinical Education for the mid-Atlantic region, which recognizes early-stage physicians who are dedicated to clinician education. And she’s served as a mentor to those who are developing their careers as clinician educators, presenting courses at the society’s national meetings that participants have routinely rated highly in surveys.
Widely known for her academic scholarship, devotion to teaching and patient care, and pioneering work in health disparities, Dr. Morales has also served on the society’s governing council, as well as chaired its Minorities in Medicine Interest Group and Student, Residential and Fellowship Outreach effort to recruit the next generation of society leaders.
Additional Awards and Honors
Dr. Robert Leahy, a clinical professor of psychology in psychiatry, was awarded the Aaron T. Beck Award from the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. The award is given annually to an individual who has made significant and enduring contributions to the field of cognitive therapy. Dr. Leahy received his award on Nov. 21 in Philadelphia. The Academy of Cognitive Therapy seeks to identify and credential mental health professionals who demonstrate competence in cognitive therapy and to educate the public on the style of treatment.
Dr. Jennifer Bassetti, an instructor in pediatrics, was elected to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics’ Membership Committee in December. The college seeks to increase access to medical genetics and genomics services and integrate them into patient care while driving excellence in research and patient care in these fields.
Dr. Fabrizio Michelassi, chairman of the Department of Surgery, the Lewis Atterbury Stimson Professor of Surgery and a professor of surgery, was elected chair of the American College of Surgeons’ Board of Governors during the 100th annual clinical congress meeting in October. The college is a scientific and educational association of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient by setting high standards for surgical education and practice.