Outstanding Term Faculty Award
Having joined the faculty in 1996, Harinder Dhindsa, M.D., has an exceptional record of teaching and service. He is an associate professor and chief of emergency medicine in VCU’s School of Medicine, and is the medical director for the university’s Critical Care Transport team.
Dhindsa leads the clinical operations of the Emergency Department and has worked tirelessly to improve efficiencies that raise the level of care patients receive. Described as a problem-solver, collaborator and patient advocate, Dhindsa has dedicated himself to making a difference in patient outcomes.
He is equally passionate about ensuring that not only future physicians are trained well, but other hospital personnel, including EMTs and paramedics, are also trained well to create an environment of first-class support for patients at all levels of interaction with health care staff. And he does this with kindness and humor, respect and insight that have made a positive impact.
Peter F. Buckley, M.D., dean of the School of Medicine, says, “The same warm, caring and humanistic approach Dr. Dhindsa has with his patients is also extended to his colleagues, and for that reason he is the ‘go-to’ person when patient care needs to be better coordinated, services need to be provided more promptly, or interpersonal or interdepartmental collaboration supporting excellence in patient care needs to be strengthened.”
Dhindsa’s achievements are extensive, and he has been recognized many times over for his service and leadership. He developed a curriculum for the school’s multidisciplinary team to ensure patients being transported to VCU receive the best-quality care. He created and oversees the LifeEvac critical care transport program, which provides lifesaving critical care air and ground transportation. In addition, he identified efficiencies that have led to shorter wait times and improved quality of patient care.
Widely regarded as a leader and mentor in the field of patient-centered care and safety, Dhindsa serves on multiple committees and panels, sharing his knowledge and expertise with broad audiences.
The Outstanding Term Faculty Award recognizes a part-time, full-time, collateral or adjunct faculty member (rank of instructor and above) who has at least three consecutive years of employment at the university, and has achieved superior accomplishment consistent with the Quest for Distinction and in the areas of teaching and service. This new award was established in 2016. Dhindsa received the award at the university’s 2017 Faculty Convocation.