Shak Rehman wins international teaching award
Shakaib “Shak” Rehman, MD, was honored with a teaching award during this year’s International Conference on Communication in Healthcare.
The conference is organized by the International Association for Communication in Healthcare, known as EACH, along with its sister organization, the Academy of Communication in Healthcare. Conference leaders invited Rehman, interim chair and professor in the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix’s Department of Biomedical Informatics, to deliver the keynote address on effective communication skills during crises.
Shakaib “Shak” Rehman, MD, CSH, MACP, FACH, FEACH, FAMIA
During the event, conference organizers surprised Rehman with the tEACH Award 2024, which honors those who have made a significant contribution to health care communication education. The award is given every two years.
Rehman, who’s been with the College of Medicine – Phoenix for 11 years and is also a professor of internal medicine and humanism, said he was totally surprised as the award winner was being described and realized the presenter was talking about him.
“I was truly taken aback, a mix of shock and gratitude,” said Rehman, interim chief of staff at the Phoenix VA Healthcare Systems. “I was a bit speechless. I hadn’t expected it at all. Then as it sank in, I felt a rush of pride and excitement, knowing that my efforts were not only noticed but genuinely valued. It was a beautiful reminder that we should always try our best to make a difference in enhancing others’ lives, as these interactions can carry so much warmth and support.”
Eva Doherty, who led the tEACH award committee, applauded Rehman’s wide-reaching impact.
“It is clear from the evidence presented to us that your pioneering work has inspired clinicians and academics alike through your curriculum innovations in challenging health care organizations along with your numerous significant publications,” she said. “In essence, we all agreed that you are a deserving winner of this prize given your outstanding and sustained contributions to health care communication education in the U.S. and to the EACH organization.”
Rehman received the award at the conference held in September in Zaragoza, Spain. He has received numerous awards over the years, including last year’s Richard Neubauer Advocate for Internal Medicine Award from the American College of Physicians.
Rehman said it’s always nice to be recognized and that this honor is especially meaningful to him.
“Each award is an acknowledgment of hard work and passion, but this one resonates deeply because it reflects a journey of learning, improving and trying to enhance my students’, residents’, fellows’ and colleagues’ lives to make them successful and fulfilled,” he said. “It reminds me of the privilege I have to be part of people’s lives, helping them achieve their goals or answer their questions. It’s an honor that inspires me to continue pushing boundaries and finding new ways to be even more helpful.”