College of Medicine – Tucson gives teaching, mentoring awards
The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson presented the 2024 faculty mentoring, teaching and service awards during a ceremony held Feb. 28. The event continues the college’s commitment to recognizing the college’s outstanding faculty members.
“Mentorship is vital for faculty growth in academic medicine,” said Alice Min, MD, assistant dean of career development. “Our Dean’s Council on Faculty Affairs is honored to recognize outstanding mentors, nominated by their mentees, for their exceptional impact on careers. These individuals exemplify the essence of mentorship, embodying guidance and significantly contributing to professional development.”
Faculty members were asked to submit letters of support that demonstrated the nominee’s excellence in mentorship. Several committees, including the Faculty Diversity Advisory Committee, members of the Dean’s Research Council, past residency program directors and a clinical faculty panel, reviewed the nominations and selected the winners.
Along with the winners listed below, the College of Medicine – Tucson handed out 26 Faculty Teaching Awards and 17 Specialty Advisor Awards. The college also named faculty excellence award winners as well.
Mentoring Awards
Lonnie Lybarger, PhD, associate professor, Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Brian C. Smith, MD, associate clinical professor, Psychiatry
Joshua B. Gaither, MD, professor, Emergency Medicine
Karyn B. Kolman, MD, associate professor, Family and Community Medicine
Anthony Witten, DO, associate program director, Internal Medicine Residency Program, Medicine
Conrad J. Clemens, MD, MPH, professor, Pediatrics
Cindy Chin, MD, clinical associate professor, Pediatrics
Winners were selected for their ability to share time and be accessible to mentees, expand their mentees’ networks and professional connections, and serve as role models for colleagues by maintaining high standards for excellence in their own disciplines.
Erika R. Bracamonte, MD, (right) vice chair of anatomic pathology in the College of Medicine – Tucson, presented mentoring awards to seven faculty members. The awardees were: (from left) Lonnie Lybaarger, PhD; Brian C. Smith, MD; Joshua B. Gaither, MD; Karyn B. Kolman, MD; Anthony Witten, DO; Conrad J. Clemens, MD; and Cindy Chin, MD.
AMES Awards
Excellence in Basic Science Teaching: Marie-Pierre Hasne, PharmD, PhD, lecturer, Chemistry & Biochemistry
Excellence in Clinical Science Teaching of Medical Students and/or Residents: Joy E. Bulger Beck, MD, clinical assistant professor, Medicine
Excellence in Teaching Innovation: Nicole Person-Rennell, MD, MPH, assistant professor, Family and Community Medicine
The Academy of Medical Education Scholars Awards recognize outstanding achievements in education by early career faculty.
(From left) Tara Carr, MD, an associate professor in the College of Medicine – Tucson, presented AMES Awards to Marie-Pierre Hasne, PharmD, Phd; Joy E. Bulger Beck, MD; and Nicole Person-Rennell, MD, at the college’s annual awards ceremony.
(From left) Tara Carr, MD, an associate professor in the College of Medicine – Tucson, presented awards to Christopher G. Williams, MD, and Randi B. Weinstein, PhD, at the college’s annual awards ceremony.
Vernon and Virginia Furrow Awards
Excellence in Innovation in Medical Education: Christopher G. Williams, MD, associate clinical professor, Emergency Medicine
Excellence in Basic Science Teaching, Undergraduate Medical Curriculum: Randi B. Weinstein, PhD, senior lecturer, Physiology
Excellence in Clinical Science Teaching, Undergraduate Medical Curriculum: Tejal M. Parikh, MD, associate professor, Family and Community Medicine
Excellence in Graduate Medical Education: Vivienne Ng, MD, MPH, assistant professor, Emergency Medicine
These awards recognize outstanding achievements in education at the College of Medicine – Tucson.
The Ron and Karen Pust Faculty Global Health Award Recognition
Francisco E. Mora, MD, assistant clinical professor, Medicine (2023 winner)
J. Daniel Twelker, OD, PhD, professor, Ophthalmology and Vision Science (2024 winner)
This award recognizes a faculty member who shows excellence in global health.
(From left) Francisco E. Mora, MD, who received the Ron and Karen Pust Faculty Global Health Award for 2023, stands with retired faculty member Ron Pust, MD, and award presenter Sommer Aldulaimi, MD, associate professor and co-director of the Global and Border Health Program.
(From left) Retired College of Medicine – Tucson faculty member, Ron Pust, MD, helped present the 2024 Ron and Karen Pust Faculty Global Health Award to J. Daniel Twelker, OD, PhD, with Sommer Aldulaimi, MD, associate professor and co-director of the Global and Border Health Program.