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Medical students honor teachers, mentors

Event celebrates faculty who exemplify university's values

May 20, 2024

Tim Parker

Makeba Williams, MD (left), an associate professor and the vice chair of professional development and wellness in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, accepts the Humanism in Medicine award from medical student Isabella Gomes

Medical students at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis recently honored faculty and residents with Distinguished Service and Teaching Awards (DSTAs) for the 2023-24 academic year.

Initiated by students and implemented with support from the Office of Medical Student Education, the DSTAs provide a way for students to express their appreciation for the efforts, dedication and patience of their educators.

Since fall 2019, the medical education representatives from Medical Student Government (MSG), with support from MSG, the Office of Medical Student Education and the Academy of Educators, have worked to redesign and update the DSTAs. This year’s awards reflect the co-existence of the Gateway and Legacy curriculums, and also celebrate faculty who exemplify the values within Washington University’s mission statement.

A ceremony to honor the awardees was held April 16 in the Eric P. Newman Education Center on the Medical Campus.

Also celebrated at the event was the students’ nominee for the Humanism in Medicine Award, which is presented annually by the Association of American Medical Colleges. The award recognizes medical school faculty physicians who exemplify the qualities of a caring and compassionate mentor in the teaching and advising of medical students.

This year, the students chose Makeba Williams, MD, an associate professor and the vice chair of professional development and wellness in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Williams is highly regarded for her work on women’s health and particularly menopause health. She directs the menopause clinic at Washington University and investigates the differences in menopause experiences between racial and ethnic groups. Her work has raised awareness about the distinct conditions typically experienced by Black women during menopause.

Other medical faculty and residents honored at the ceremony include:

PHASE ONE AWARDS

Glenn Conroy Module Leader of the Year: Steven Cheng, MD, professor of medicine.

Jane Phillips-Conroy Professor of the Year: Justin Sadhu, MD, associate professor of medicine.

Thread Leader of the Year: Erika Crouch, MD, PhD, the Carol B. and Jerome T. Loeb Professor of Medical Education in pathology & immunology.

Stanley Lang Teacher of the Year: Jonathan Mullin, MD, associate professor of pediatrics.

Tim Parker

Erika Crouch, MD, PhD, the Carol B. and Jerome T. Loeb Professor of Medical Education in pathology & immunology, receives the Thread Leader of the Year Award.

Distinguished Service Teaching Awards

Inclusion: Dennis Chang, MD, associate professor of medicine.

Tim Parker

Amjad Musleh, MD, assistant professor of anesthesiology, is awarded the Distinguished Service Teaching Award for Critical Thinking.

Research: Simon Haroutounian, PhD, associate professor of anesthesiology, director of the Division of Clinical and Translational Research, and chief of clinical pain research at the Washington University Pain Center.

Creativity: Allyson Zazulia, MD, professor of neurology and associate dean for Continuing Medical Education.

Critical Thinking: Amjad Musleh, MD, assistant professor of anesthesiology.

Diversity: Nigar Kirmani, MD, professor of medicine.

Clinical Care: Tim Yau, MD, associate professor of medicine.

PHASE TWO AWARDS

Clerkship of the Year: Surgery.

Clerkship Administrator of the Year: Christine McIntosh, neurology medical student education coordinator.

Clinical Educator of the Year: Amanda Zofkie, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics & gynecology, attending.

Clinical Educator of the Year: Chris Noda, MD, general surgery resident.

Tim Parker

Christine McIntosh (center), neurology medical student education coordinator, receives the Clerkship Administrator of the Year Award. She is accompanied by colleagues Lora Clark (left), senior manager of medical education programs, and Douglas Larsen, MD, professor of neurology and vice chair of education for neurology.

Distinguished Service Teaching Awards

Inclusion:

• Brad Warner, MD, the Jessie L. Ternberg, MD, PhD Distinguished Professor of Pediatric Surgery, attending.
• Paul Kepper, MD, general surgery resident.

Diversity:

• Jennifer A. Mitchell, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics & gynecology, attending.
• Caroline Min, MD, obstetrics & gynecology resident.

Clinical Care:

• Cheryl McDonough, MD, assistant professor of medicine, attending.
• Katharine Caldwell, MD, general surgery chief resident.
• Gabriel Vazquez Velez, MD, PhD, neurology resident.

Tim Parker

Award recipients (left to right): Jennifer A. Mitchell, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics & gynecology; Amanda Zofkie, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics & gynecology; Makeba Williams, MD, associate professor and vice chair of professional development and wellness in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology; and Caroline Min, MD, obstetrics & gynecology resident.