Teaching awards for faculty and house staff were announced at the School of Medicine’s Commencement ceremony on May 19, including three for Margaret J. Bia, M.D., FW ’78, professor of medicine. Bia, who is stepping down as head of the clinical skills teaching program, received the Leah M. Lowenstein Award as a model of humane teaching; the Francis Gilman Blake Award, given to the teacher designated by the graduating class as the most outstanding teacher of medical sciences; and the Dean’s Award, given rarely and only to faculty who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to students. The Class of 2014 also designated their class gift to develop a special seminar in Bia’s honor through the Teaching and Learning Center, entitled “The Peggy Bia Seminar: Inspiration in Medical Practice.”
The Charles W. Bohmfalk Prizes for outstanding teaching went to Susan J. Baserga, M.D. ’88, Ph.D. ’88, professor of molecular biophysics and biochemistry, of genetics, and of therapeutic radiology, for basic science teaching, and to Karen Santucci, M.D., professor and section chief of pediatric emergency medicine, for teaching of clinical science.
The Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, which honors the faculty member who demonstrates compassion and sensitivity in interactions with patients, went to Stephen R. Holt, M.D., assistant professor of medicine.
The Betsy Winters House Staff Award, presented to the house staff member who has contributed to the education of medical students, went to Michael Sullivan, M.D.
The Alvan R. Feinstein Award, for the faculty member chosen by a committee of chairs of clinical departments, associate chairs, and students as the outstanding teacher of clinical skills, went to Matthew R. Grossman, M.D., HS ’06.
In Yale University news, two faculty members at the medical school received the Provost’s Teaching Prize for 2013-14, Provost Ben Polak, Ph.D., announced at the end of the spring semester. This award recognizes outstanding teaching by untenured faculty university-wide. Deans and department chairs nominate untenured faculty members who demonstrate a particularly high level of teaching excellence. Andrea Asnes, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics, and Anjelica Gonzalez, Ph.D., an assistant professor of biomedical engineering who is affiliated with the Vascular Biology and Therapeutics program, were among the 10 recipients this year.