Tejal M. Parikh wins Auslander Visionary Award

Tejal M. Parikh, MD, associate dean for admissions and director of the Comprehensive Education Center at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, received the 2024 Edith Sayre Auslander Established Visionary Award.

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The award was presented by the University of Arizona’s Commission on the Status of Women, an advocacy arm of the U of A that champions an inclusive campus. It created the Vision Awards in 1999 to honor leaders who exemplify the vision set out by the Arizona Board of Regents when it created a group assessing the status of women at the three state universities in 1989.

Parikh said she was humbled by the honor, noting that it recognizes not only her work but a collective team effort at the U of A toward advancing inclusion.

“This award represents a culmination of years of dedication to innovation and leadership in academic medicine,” said Parikh, who is also an associate professor of Family and Community Medicine. “It acknowledges the collaborative efforts in admissions and educational development, emphasizing that meaningful change requires teamwork and a shared vision. It is also a reminder of the power of advocacy and mentorship and the impact one can have on shaping future leaders in health care​​.”

In her nomination letter, Parikh was specifically praised for organizing a meet-up that brought together undergraduate and graduate students to not only build community but also as a way for them to share resources and information.

“Dr. Parikh is a proactive advocate for fostering a culture of continuous learning and personal growth through her influential leadership positions and initiatives,” Hina Arif-Tiwari, MD, FSAR, vice chair of Clinical Affairs and chief of the Division of Abdominal Radiology at the U of A’s College of Medicine – Tucson, said in the nomination letter. 

Parikh said she was moved by the sentiments in the letter and that it “reaffirmed my unwavering commitment to advancing the mission of creating meaningful opportunities for others.”

Parikh completed her family medicine residency in 1993 and then joined the Department of Family and Community Medicine as a faculty member. She said she is thankful for the community and shared commitment and support over the years.

“I hope my legacy will be one of meaningful and lasting impact — creating innovative pathways that empower pre-health students to excel in health care professions, mentoring future leaders in the field and establishing sustainable structures like the Comprehensive Education Center that support their growth and success,” Parikh said. “I aspire to be remembered for advancing innovation and fostering transformative opportunities in academic medicine.”