School of Medicine

Education Awards & Recognitions

Faculty teaching contributions are recognized and celebrated through award programs including:

  • The CAP Award for Excellence in Clinical Skills Teaching award was developed to honor the faculty member who most clearly demonstrates dedication to the teaching of Tufts School of Medicine students in the early years of medical school. Recipients are selected based on their active involvement in the course, contribution to the development of fellow faculty members, and most significantly, on the evaluations of their students.

    Awardees

    • 2023-2024: Kristyn Newhall, MD (Family Medicine) and Angela Banks-Paulino, MD (Adult Medicine)
    • 2022-2023: Aftab Iqbal, MD (Internal Medicine) and Robert Rovner, MD (Family Medicine)
    • 2021-2022: Alexandra M. Idenburg, MD (Family Medicine)
    • 2020-2021: Jenny Gao, MD (Family Medicine)
    • 2019-2020: Kiame J. Mahaniah, MD (Family Medicine)
    • 2018-2019: Joseph Rothchild, MD (Internal Medicine)
    • 2017-2018: Nancy Drew, MD (Internal Medicine)
    • 2016-2017: Grace Perez-Lirio, MD (Internal Medicine)
    • 2015-2016: Damian K.L. Archer, MD (Family Medicine)
    • 2014-2015: Alan Barron, MD (Internal Medicine)
    • 2013-2014: Kalyani Murthy, MD (Internal Medicine)
    • 2012-2013: Joseph Leader, MD (Pediatrics)
    • 2011-2012: Erica Frank, MD (Internal Medicine)

    For more information, please contact the Office of Educational Affairs at 617-636-2191.

  • In 1991, the Faculty Affairs Committee (now known as the Committee on Committees) moved, and the Executive Council approved, the creation of a Distinguished Faculty Award. This award is faculty-initiated, and recognizes our colleagues who have made "outstanding contributions to Tufts University School of Medicine."

    The Committee on Committees solicits nominations for each year's awards. Each nomination should include a letter from the nominee's sponsor and a letter from the nominee's department chairperson, detailing how the nominee fulfills the criteria for the Distinguished Faculty Award.

    In addition, the review committee will need a current curriculum vitae of the nominee, as well as an additional letter of support from a faculty member representing another department. Additional letters of support are invited and recommended. The Committee on Committees will evaluate the nominees, and make their recommendations to the Committee of Distinguished Professors, as described in the accompanying motion.

    Nominations should be addressed to:

    Committee on Committees
    Medical Deans Office, Medical Education Building, 8th Floor
    Tufts University School of Medicine
    136 Harrison Avenue
    Boston, MA 02111

    The deadline for receipt is Friday, April 12, 2019.

    If you have any questions, call the Dean's Office at 617-636-6565.

    Award Criteria

    Approved by the Faculty Affairs Committee, April 9, 1991.

    A Distinguished Faculty Award is being established to recognize Faculty members who have made outstanding contributions to Tufts University School of Medicine. The criteria for this award are as follows:

    The individual Faculty member should have brought distinction to him/herself and to Tufts School of Medicine in several areas, including:

    1. Teaching: the principal function of Tufts School of Medicine is to produce students who are sufficiently well-versed in the basic and clinical sciences so that they are in a position to continue their medical education in post-graduate settings of excellence. To achieve this function not only requires the devoted participation of the Faculty, but also necessitates the presence of the gifted teacher who can lead and inspire students to achieve the best that is within themselves. In certain cases, Faculty are recognized by the student body. For the Distinguished Faculty Award, the Faculty will have the opportunity to acknowledge the excellence of leadership and superior teaching that should serve as a standard for the entire Faculty.
    2. Scholarship: In addition to teaching, the Institution has an important role to play in the continued growth and development of the numerous fields associated with human biology, ranging from the understanding of the nature of the disease process, how it impacts on the patient and his/her community, and the development of new techniques that will both prevent disease and improve the present-day treatment. This role of the Institution is carried out by Faculty members who have achieved national and international leadership positions in the research on all aspects of human health and disease, and who continue to make important advances in their own fields.
    3. Service: Although "service" can sometimes be difficult to assess, the testimonials of colleagues within the Institution and associated outside of the Institution can be evaluated with respect to the role that the Faculty member plays in the academic life of the Institution, in his/her profession, and in the myriad activities with service to patients and associates.

    A Committee, comprised of faculty members holding the rank of Distinguished Professor, will utilize these criteria to select from nominees presented to them by the Committee on Committees. These nominees will then be forwarded to the Dean. At an appropriate School-wide activity, the designated Faculty members will receive their awards.
     

    2018Scott Gilbert, MD, Professor of Medicine
     H. Cody Meissner, MD, Professor of Pediatrics
     Thomas D. Sabin, MD, Professor of Neurology
    2017Carl B. Heilman, MD, Professor and Chair of Neurosurgery
     William C. Mackey, MD, Professor and Chair of Surgery
     John M. Leong, MD, PhD, Professor and Chair of Microbiology
    2016Larry A Feig, PhD, Professor of Developmental, Molecular & Chemical Biology
     Mark J. Sarnak, MD, Professor of Medicine
     Peter W. Bates, MD, Professor of Medicine
    2015Nicholas Hill, MD, Professor of Medicine
     Paul Summergrad, MD, Professor and Chair of Psychiatry
     N.A. Mark Estes, MD, Professor of Medicine
    2014Andrew Camilli, PhD, Professor of Molecular Biology and Microbiology
     Brigette Huber, PhD, Professor of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology
     David Greenblatt, MD, Professor of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology
    2013Meyer Klemens, MD, Professor of Medicine
     Barbara Stechenberg, MD, Professor of Pediatrics
    2012Carol Kumamoto, PhD, Professor of Molecular Biology and Microbiology
     Arthur R. Rabson, MD, Professor of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
     James E. Udelson, MD, Professor of Medicine
    2011Richard H. Karas, MD, PhD, Elisa Kent Mendelsohn Professor of Molecular Cardiology and Medicine
     Benjamin Liptzin, MD, Professor and Deputy Chair of Psychiatry
    2010Richard I. Kopelman, MD, Louisa C. Endicott Professor of Medicine
     Christopher H. Schmid, PhD, Professor of Medicine
    2009Michael Forgac, PhD, Professor of Physiology
     Marvin A. Konstam, MD, Professor of Medicine
     Ronald D. Perrone, MD, Professor of Medicine
     John B. Wong, MD, Professor of Medicine
    2008Lewis M. Cohen, MD, Professor of Psychiatry
     Kathleen Dunlap, PhD, Professor of Neuroscience, Professor of Physiology, Professor of Medicine
    2007Michael Barza, MD, Professor of Medicine
     Ira M. Herman, PhD, Professor of Physiology
     Stuart B. Levy, MD, Professor of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Professor of Medicine,
     Edward O. Reiter, MD, Professor & Chairman of Pediatrics at Baystate Medical Center & Deputy Chairman of Tufts Department of Pediatrics
    2006Claire Moore, PhD, Professor of Molecular Biology and Microbiology
     David A. Adler, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, Professor of Medicine
     John J. Castellot, Jr., PhD, Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Professor of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
     Mary Y. Lee, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Dean for Educational Affairs, Associate Provost, Tufts University
    2005Sherwood L. Gorbach, MD, Professor of Public Health and Family Medicine
     Laura Liscum, PhD, Professor of Physiology
     Michael E. Mendelsohn, MD, Elisa Kent Mendelsohn Professor in Molecular Cardiology and Professor in Medicine
     Barbara R. Talamo, PhD, Professor and Chair of Neuroscience
    2004John S. Kauer, PhD, Professor of Neuroscience and Professor of Anatomy & Cellular Biology
     Andrew S. Levey, MD, Dr. Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman Professor of Medicine
     Allan H. Ropper, MD, Professor and Chair of Neurology
     Catherine L. Squires, PhD, Professor and Chair of Molecular Biology and Microbiology
    2003Diana W. Bianchi, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology & The Natalie V. Zucker Professor
     Ralph R. Isberg, PhD, Professor of Molecular Biology & Microbiology
     Joseph Lau, MD, Professor of Medicine
     Thomas F. O’Donnell, MD, Professor of Surgery
     Ab Sadeghi-Nejad, MD, Professor of Pediatrics
     David R. Snydman, MD, Professor of Medicine
    2002Barbara Carter, MD, Professor of Radiology & Professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
     Robert Kennison, MD, Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology
     Thomas Linsenmayer, PhD, Professor of Anatomy & Professor of Ophthalmology
     Harry Selker, MD, Professor of Medicine
    2001Martin Broder, MD, Professor & Deputy Chairman of Medicine
     Ivan D. Frantz, III, Karp Professor & Chairman of Pediatrics
     Grannum R. Sant, MD, Whitney Professor & Chairman of Urology
     Brian S. Schaffhausen, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry
     Bryan P. Toole, PhD, Bates Professor of Histology & Professor of Anatomy & Cellular Biology
    2000Nicolaos E. Madias, MD, Professor of Medicine
     Michael H. Malamy, PhD, Professor of Molecular Biology and Microbiology
     Stephen G. Pauker, MD, Sara Murray Jordan Professor of Medicine
     Henry H. Wortis, MD, Professor of Pathology
    1999James F. Dice, Jr, PhD, Professor of Physiology
     Kenneth F. MacDonnell, MD, Professor of Medicine
     Douglas D. Payne, MD, Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery
     Hubert J. Wolfe, MD, Professor of Pathology, and Orthopaedic Surgery
    1998Paul Friedmann, MD, Professor of Surgery
     Jeffrey A. Gelfand, MD, Professor of Medicine
     N. Paul Rosman, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, and Professor of Neurology
     Deeb N. Salem, MD, Professor of Medicine
    1997John Coffin, PhD, Professor of Molecular Biology and Microbiology
     Ronald A. Delellis, MD, Professor of Pathology
     Richard Grand, MD, Professor of Pediatrics
     Andrew Plaut, MD, Professor of Medicine
    1996Irwin M. Arias, MD, Professor and Chairman of Physiology
     Jiri Palek, MD, Professor of Medicine
     B. David Stollar, MD, Professor and Chairman of Biochemistry
     Andrew Wright, PhD, Professor of Molecular Biology and Microbiology
    1995Louis R. Caplan, MD, Professor and Chairman of Neurology
     Barry L. Fanburg, MD., Professor of Medicine
     Jane G. Schaller, MD, Professor of Pediatrics
     Louis Shuster, PhD, Professor of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Biochemistry
    1994Marshall Kaplan, MD, Professor of Medicine
     Laurence Lundy, MD, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
     Abraham Sonenshein, PhD, Professor of Molecular and Microbiology
     Timos Valaes, MD, Professor of Pediatrics
    1993Sydney S. Gellis, MD, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics
     John T. Harrington, MD, Professor of Medicine
     Cornelis Heijn, Jr., MD, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry
     Norman Krinsky, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry and Professor of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
     Naomi Rosenberg, PhD, Professor of Pathology
    1992Modestino Criscitiello, MD, Professor of Medicine
     Jane F. Desforges, MD, Professor of Medicine
     Herbert Levine, MD, Professor of Medicine
     Douglas J. Marchant, MD, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Professor of Surgery
     Seymour Reichlin, MD, Professor of Medicine
     Robert Schwartz, MD, Professor of Medicine
    1991Jerome P. Kassirer, MD, Sarah Murray Jordan Professor of Medicine

  • The Mark Aisner, MD Award for Excellence in Teaching Physical Diagnosis was established in 1988 by former students, colleagues, patients, and friends of Mark Aisner, MD in recognition of his distinguished contributions to Tufts School of Medicine as the course director for Physical Diagnosis (1946-1977), and in honor of his prestigious career in education, research, and clinical practice in Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Physiology. The purpose of this award is to foster and enhance the teaching of physical diagnosis at Tufts School of Medicine and at its affiliated hospitals as exemplified by Dr. Aisner throughout his illustrious sixty-five years in medicine.

    Awardees

    • 2023-2024: Gusty Colangelo, MD (Emergency Medicine)
    • 2022-2023: Lorraine McElwain, MD (Pediatrics)
    • 2021-2022: Matthew W. Brown, MD (Surgery)
    • 2020-2021: Arthur Kennedy, Jr., MD (Medicine)
    • 2019-2020: Rhonda S. Fogle, MD (Pediatrics); Peter E. Paull, MD (Medicine)
    • 2018-2019: Mellory Kaserman, MD (Pediatrics); Eric C. Lewis, MD (Family Medicine); Teresa M. Bose, MD (Obstetrics and Gynecology)
    • 2017-2018: Hilda Tina Gartley, MD (Pediatrics); Kevin Strong, MD (Pediatrics)
    • 2016-2017: Mihaela Tiru, MD (Internal Medicine)
    • 2015-2016: George Maxted, MD (Family Medicine); Michael Gibbons, MD (Internal Medicine); Peter Harbage, MD (Internal Medicine)
    • 2014-2015: Angela Healy, MD (Internal Medicine) and Stewart Mackie, MD (Pediatrics)
    • 2013-2014: James Bartz, MD (Internal Medicine)
    • 2012-2013: Steven “Sandy” Zimmerman, MD (Medicine) and Brendan Kelly, MD (Medicine-Pediatrics)
    • 2011-2012: Joe Rencic, MD (Internal Medicine)
    • 2010-2011: William Liaw, MD (Internal Medicine)
    • 2009-2010: Brendan Kelly, MD (Medicine/Pediatrics)
    • 2008-2009: Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Physical Diagnosis Team
    • 2007-2008: Edward Parsons, MD (Internal Medicine)
    • 2006-2007: Elisabeth Wilder, MD (Internal Medicine)
    • 2005-2006: Laurence Conway, MD (Cardiology)
    • 2004-2005: Ottavio Nardone, MD (Internal Medicine)
    • 2003-2004: Daniel Coleman, MD (Internal Medicine-Pulmonology)
    • 2002-2003: Brien Barnewolt, MD (Emergency Medicine)
    • 2001-2002: James Warth, MD (Internal Medicine-Hematology/Oncology)
    • 2000-2001: William Garvin, MD (Internal Medicine)

    For more information, please contact the Office of Educational Affairs at 617-636-2191.

  • The Outstanding Core Clerkship Award was created in order to recognize a core clerkship site director who provides students with exemplary leadership in the clerkship. The awardee is recognized by students for excellence in teaching, responding to their suggestions and feedback, and for being an outstanding role model for professionalism and ethical behavior. The awardee is selected by a committee consisting of the Curriculum Committee Chair, the Dean for Educational Affairs, and Dean of Student Affairs.

    Awardees

    • 2023-2024: Chas Hannum, MD (Pediatrics)
    • 2022-2023: Laura Snydman, MD (Internal Medicine)
    • 2021-2022: Deborah R. Erlich, MD (Family Medicine)
    • 2020-2021: Laura K. Snydman, MD (Medicine)
    • 2019-2020: Dena L. Whitesell, MD (Psychiatry)
    • 2018-2019: James Bartz, MD (Internal Medicine)
    • 2017-2018: Carol Moore, MD (Pediatrics)
    • 2016-2017: Jennifer Rehm, MD (Internal Medicine)
    • 2015-2016: Michael Picchioni, MD (Internal Medicine) and Robert Trowbridge, MD (Internal Medicine)
    • 2014-2015 Laura Baecher-Lind, MD (Obstetrics and Gynecology)
    • 2013-2014  Laurence Brinckerhoff, MD (Surgery)

    For more information, please contact the Office of Educational Affairs at 617-636-2191.

  • The Tisch College and Tufts University School of Medicine Community Service Learning (Tisch & Tufts School of Medicine CSL) Faculty Award has been established to honor a faculty member who demonstrates outstanding commitment to civic engagement in medical education.

    The award will be given to a Tufts School of Medicine​ faculty member who helps students apply medical knowledge and clinical skills in ways that benefit the community while also developing the students' understanding of health disparities, public health issues, diverse cultures, and other issues important to the host communities. This can be through service and/or advocacy focused on improving health outcomes, whether local or global.

    Criteria

    Criteria include:

    • Impact on student learning
    • Impact on community being served
    • Collaboration with community members
    • Support of student leadership development
    • Sustainability of work

    Emphasis

    Emphasis for this award is on the faculty member's engagement of students in service learning, not on the faculty member's own service activities.

    Nominations

    To nominate a faculty member for this award, please email a letter describing the nominee's work and its impact on students and the community by July 17, 2023, to jennifer.greer_morrissey@tufts.edu.

    Awardees

    • 2023-2024: Alice Tang, MS, PhD (Public Health and Community Medicine)
    • 2022-2023: Victoria M. Hayes, MD (Family Medicine)
    • 2021-2022: Clinton K. Pong, MD (Family Medicine)
    • 2020-2021: Tamara Vesel, MD (Medicine) 
    • 2019-2020: Laura K. Grubb, MD, MPH (Pediatrics)
    • 2018-2019: David G. Munson, MD (Internal Medicine)
    • 2017-2018: Julie M. Schirmer, LCSW (Family Medicine)
    • 2016-2017: Keith Nokes, MD, MPH (Family Medicine)
    • 2015-2016: Shirley Gonzalez, MD (Pediatrics)

  • The Milton O. M30 and Natalie V. Zucker Clinical Teaching Prizes were established in 1998 to promote and honor excellence in clinical teaching. Two prizes, one for Innovation and one for Accomplishment, are awarded annually to clinical teaching faculty for the purpose of:

    • Rewarding and recognizing specific faculty for outstanding innovation, accomplishment, and ability to motivate students.
    • Encouraging all faculty to review those attributes needed to be an effective teacher.

    At the request of Mrs. Zucker, the committee strives for balance between recognition of past accomplishments and promising innovations, and between male and female nominees. Awardees receive a $2,500 award (unrestricted) from the Zucker endowment fund for teaching recognition.

    For more information, contact the Office of Educational Affairs at 617-636-2191.

    Previous Awardees

    2023-2024

    • Laurence Bailen, MD (Medicine) – Innovation
    • Krista Johansen, MD (Medical Education) – Innovation
    • Rob Willson, DMD (Medical Education) – Accomplishment

    2022-2023

    • Elise Merchant, MD (Infectious Diseases) – Innovation
    • Robert Trowbridge, MD (Internal Medicine) – Accomplishment

    2021-2022

    • Henry W. Klapholz, MD (Obstetrics and Gynecology) – Accomplishment
    • Rebecca S. Lufler, PhD (Medical Education) – Innovation

    2020-2021

    • Laurence Bailen, MD (Medicine) – Innovation
    • Victoria Hayes, MD (Family Medicine) – Accomplishment

    2019-2020

    • Richard Glickman-Simon, MD (Family Medicine) – Accomplishment
    • Deborah R. Erlich, MD (Family Medicine) – Innovation

    2018-2019

    • William C. Mackey, MD (Surgery) – Accomplishment
    • Lillian Chen, MD (Surgery) – Innovation

    2017-2018

    • Patricia Patterson, MD (Pediatrics) – Accomplishment
    • Laura Baecher-Lind, MD, MPH (Obstetrics and Gynecology) – Innovation

    2016-2017

    • Debra Poutsiaka, MD, PhD (Internal Medicine; Infectious Diseases) – Accomplishment
    • Pamela Norden, MD, MBA (Dermatology) – Innovation

    2015-2016

    • Randy Wertheimer MD (Family Medicine) – Accomplishment
    • Mary Brown, MD (Pediatrics) – Innovation

    2014-2015

    • David Page, MD (Surgery) – Accomplishment
    • Rachel Buchsbaum, MD (Internal Medicine - Hematology/Oncology) – Innovation

    2013-2014

    • Susan Hadley, MD (Internal Medicine) – Accomplishment
    • Amy Lee, MD (Family Medicine) – Innovation

    2012-2013

    • Angela Carroll Healy, MD (Internal Medicine - Lahey Clinic) – Accomplishment
    • Debra Rothenberg, MD, PhD (Family Medicine - Maine Medical Center) – Innovation

    2011-2012

    • David Schoetz, MD (Surgery) – Accomplishment
    • Priya Garg, MD (Pediatrics) – Innovation

    2010-2011

    • Henry Yager, MD (Nephrology) – Accomplishment
    • Robert Trowbridge, MD (Internal Medicine) – Innovation

    2009-2010

    • Scott Gilbert, MD (Nephrology) – Accomplishment
    • Dan Chandler, MD; Joe Rencic, MD; Laura Snydman, MD (Internal Medicine) – Innovation

    2008-2009

    • Michael Worthington, MD (Infectious Diseases) – Accomplishment
    • Kevin Hinchey, MD (Internal Medicine) – Innovation

    2007-2008

    • Michael Barza, MD (Internal Medicine) – Accomplishment
    • Gladys Fernandez, MD (Surgery) – Innovation

    2006-2007

    • Mark Drapkin, MD (Infectious Diseases) – Accomplishment
    • John O'Reilly, MD (Pediatrics) – Innovation

    2005-2006

    • John Libertino, MD (Urology) – Accomplishment
    • Laurie Demmer, MD (Pediatrics-Genetics) – Innovation

    2004-2005

    • Stephen Wright, MD (Internal Medicine - Gastroenterology) – Accomplishment
    • Elisabeth Wilder, MD (Internal Medicine) – Innovation

    2003-2004

    • Lawrence Milner, MD (Pediatrics) – Accomplishment
    • Nora Laver, MD (Pathology) – Innovation

    2002-2003

    • William H. Garvin, MD (Internal Medicine) – Accomplishment
    • Wayne J. Altman, MD (Family Medicine) – Innovation

    2001-2002

    • Paul J. Wang, MD (Cardiology) – Accomplishment
    • Kristin L. Dardano, MD (Obstetrics/Gynecology) – Innovation

    2000-2001

    • Jonathan Schindelheim, MD (Psychiatry) – Accomplishment
    • Elena Massarotti, MD(Internal Medicine - Rheumatology) – Innovation

    1999-2000

    • Robert D. Kennison, MD (Obstetrics/Gynecology) – Accomplishment
    • Brien Barnewolt, MD (Emergency Medicine) – Innovation

    1998-1999

    • Ernest Grable, MD (Surgery) – Accomplishment
    • Scott Epstein, MD (Internal Medicine - Pulmonology) – Innovation

Students play an important role in recognizing teaching excellence. Through the evaluation process, students are invited to identify exceptional teaching faculty for every course and clerkship. Faculty members receive letters of recognition and appreciation from the Dean of the School of Medicine. In addition, each medical school graduating class selects faculty members whom they wish to honor with a Faculty Teaching Excellence Award, which is presented at the Senior Awards Dinner.