We are continuously inspired by the extraordinary work and dedication of the School of Medicine faculty, and we believe in recognizing our colleagues for jobs well done. Every year, faculty members receive well-deserved awards from their respective departments, the School of Medicine, VCU and external organizations like the Medical Society of Virginia.
Faculty Excellence Awards
Each fall, we are proud to recognize commitment and achievement through the Faculty Excellence Awards. These awards highlight accomplishments at every stage of a career as a faculty member, with recognitions across teaching, clinical care, research, leadership and mentorship.
In the fall of 1998, H. H. (Dickie) Newsome, Jr., M.D., senior associate dean at the time, initiated an annual program to recognize and reward teaching excellence in the School of Medicine. Newsome appointed an ad hoc committee charged with the task of researching, developing and implementing new teaching awards. Now, the School of Medicine Teaching Awards Program honors faculty members for excellence in the achievement of our educational mission. The three award categories are based on the method used to nominate and select an award candidate and to document teaching competencies.
Faculty colleagues, administrators, students or a candidate may nominate any SOM faculty member teaching in undergraduate medicine, basic sciences, graduate education, continuing education or other schools/programs at the academic medical center. Multiple kinds of documentation support evidence of superior teaching abilities.
Enrique Gerszten, M.D. Faculty Teaching Excellence Award
As the School of Medicine’s highest recognition for teaching, the Faculty Teaching Excellence Award recognizes extraordinary accomplishment in all aspects of education and goes to a faculty member who is an outstanding teacher and has a compelling record of contributions to education. As an educator, the individual is widely recognized for educational leadership and academic inquiry, supports the educational excellence of colleagues and students and embodies a spirit of instructional innovation.
A cash award will be given to the Faculty Teaching Excellence Award recipient, and the remaining funds will be given for the recipient’s scholarly and educational development. The individual’s name will be placed on a plaque outside the dean’s office on the fourth floor in McGlothlin Medical Education Center (MMEC). Award recipients may receive the same award after three years and upon demonstration of additional achievement. A photo of the recipient will also be placed on the fifth floor of MMEC.
Irby-James Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching
The School of Medicine presents the Irby-James Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching in recognition of superior teaching and professionalism in clinical medicine taught in the last two years of medical school and residency training. The award recognizes and encourages excellence in an increasingly complicated and challenging educational environment.
The award is funded by a gift to the MCV Foundation, and a cash award from the endowment fund will be given to the recipient. Award recipients may receive the same award after three years and upon demonstration of additional achievement. A photo of the recipient will be placed on the sixth floor of MMEC.
Distinguished Mentor Award
The School of Medicine bestows the Distinguished Mentor Award annually to a faculty member for significant contributions to the career development of others. Examples include mentorship to fellow faculty members, junior faculty, residents, fellows, medical students, graduate students, post-docs or other mentoring relationships.
A cash award of $500 will be given to an individual recipient with an additional $1,000 given to the recipient’s scholarly and educational development. Award recipients may receive the same award after three years and upon demonstration of additional achievement. A photo of the recipient will be placed in MMEC (seventh floor).
Educational Innovation/Educational Research Award
The School of Medicine confers the Educational Innovation/Educational Research Award annually to an individual faculty member, a group, a program or an academic unit for significant educational innovation or educational research.
Innovation includes the development of educational materials, the institution of new courses or clinics, instructional methods, teaching techniques or evaluation methods, contributions to curriculum renewal or research in medical education. Outstanding innovation enhances student academic attainment and may be nationally recognized. Educational research includes scholarly investigation of educational methods, processes, attitudes and outcomes which contribute to the enhancement of the teaching mission.
A cash award of $500 will be given to an individual recipient, with an additional $1,000 given for the recipient’s scholarly and educational development. Award recipients may receive the same award after three years and upon demonstration of additional achievement. A photo of the recipient will be placed on the eighth floor of MMEC.
Presented by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation
The Arnold P. Gold Foundation initiated the Humanism in Medicine Award in 1991 to recognize a graduating medical student and a faculty member at VCU. The Gold Foundation bestows a personalized certificate and a $1,000 prize each on a graduating medical student and a faculty member, nominated and selected by their peers. The graduating medical student is recognized on Honors Day and again during the School of Medicine Convocation and Hooding Ceremony. Additional information can be found at the Arnold P. Gold Foundation.
Process and Timeline
Nominations may be made by faculty, medical or graduate students for either award and should be accompanied by three letters of support. An annual call for nominations is announced in the spring. Nominations will be reviewed by a committee of faculty members and graduating medical students and then awardees will be selected.
The WISDM Professional Achievement Award is presented annually by the Women in Science, Dentistry and Medicine (WISDM) Faculty Organization. This unique award was established in 1993 to acknowledge the special contributions and accomplishments of women faculty in the School of Medicine. The primary purpose of this award is to recognize a woman who is a role model and mentor, promoting the professional development of other women faculty.
The award will be presented at the annual WISDM Leadership Conference and at the SOM Faculty Excellence Awards ceremony in the fall. Nominations are sought for SOM women faculty only.
In recognition of clinical excellence among faculty at VCU Health, this award is sponsored by the Medical College of Virginia Physicians. Awardees display attributes such as compassion, clinical effectiveness, efficiency, comprehensiveness, availability and responsiveness to patients.
This award recognizes outstanding contributions to medical education by residency and fellowship directors. Criteria for selection include: a fully accredited residency program; evidence of dedication and effectiveness in teaching residents/fellows; behaviors that are value-based and highly principled; an exemplary role model; a program with benchmark features from which the field can learn; participation in a national program directors association.
- Award for Fellowship Program Director
- Award for Program Director
- Award for Program Coordinator
Distinguished Faculty Awards
Since 1982, VCU has paid formal tribute at the annual convocation ceremony to members of the faculty who conduct the mission of the university with distinction and exemplify the best of VCU. School of Medicine recipients are in esteemed company, as the awards are open to faculty across all VCU schools.
These honors include:
- Distinguished Teaching Award
- Distinguished Scholarship Award
- Distinguished Service Award
- Outstanding Early Career Award
- Outstanding Term Faculty Award
- University Award of Excellence
Learn more about the awards, qualifications and nomination process here.
Featured
Two current and one former SOM faculty receive awards at annual Faculty Convocation
Thu, Sep 7, '23
Featured
Two School of Medicine faculty receive prestigious awards at annual faculty convocation
Fri, Sep 2, '22
VCU News
Two VCU professors receive Outstanding Faculty Awards
Thu, Dec 16, '21
Medical Society of Virginia’s Salute to Service Awards
The Medical Society of Virginia’s annual Salute to Service Awards honor health care workers across Virginia who exemplify selfless dedication to serving their communities and improving care. The foundation selects individuals in areas including advancing patient safety, service to the international community, service to the profession and service by a medical student or resident.
