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Teaching Awards

Harvard Medical School annually bestows teaching awards on its most outstanding teachers, who, through their excellence in teaching, will impact and influence the professional lives of students long after graduation. The awards presented at the Daniel D. Federman Teaching Award Celebration each May are HMS's most visible recognition of the teaching accomplishments of a highly select group of the School's leading medical educators, and reflect, in a small but tangible way, how much teachers are valued by their students and by HMS.

This event celebrates our best teachers in the presence of students, faculty, former award recipients, and staff. The HMS community and their families are invited to attend this special event each year. For more information about the event, email pme@hms.harvard.edu.

2018 Recipients

Donald O'Hara Faculty Prizes for Excellence in Teaching

Donald O’Hara, Ph.D. Faculty Prizes for Excellence in Teaching

The Faculty Prizes for Excellence in Preclerkship Teaching are named in memory of Donald O’Hara, Ph.D., who was a beloved teacher of Harvard medical students. Dr. O’Hara also served as one of the leaders of the New Pathway Chemistry and Biology of the Cell course and as co-director of the HST course, Human Biochemistry and Metabolic Diseases. Dr. O’Hara was also a recipient of the Faculty Prize for Excellence in Teaching for his teaching of first-year medical students.

Daniel Kamin, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Boston Children's Hospital
 
Dr. Kamin a pediatric gastroenterologist who trained at both MGH and BCH, teaches in the preclerkship Pathways course, Homeostasis II. In nominating him for the O’Hara award, one student called him “an exemplary professor” who is “continuously inspiring, encouraging, and who recognizes that different students participate differently in a classroom setting.” Students shared that “what makes him stand out is that he spends a tremendous amount of time making sure that students understand the content in the course…he also puts significant effort in to creating a classroom environment that is conducive to collaborative learning.” Students felt that what really exemplifies Dr. Kamin was that “he of course wants us to know about the stomach and small intestine, but above all, he wants us to be great doctors who practice in a socially conscious way.”
 
Albert Lam, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Part-Time
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
 
Dr. Lam is a nephrologist who trained at BWH and teaches in the HST Renal Pathophysiology course. Student nominators lauded him as “an incredible instructor in a very difficult subject” and shared that he “gave the best-organized lectures of our entire HST year 1 curriculum.” Students shared that “It was extremely apparent from the beginning that Dr. Lam cares about each of his students on a personal level. He always checked in with us at the beginning of class to see how things were going, and he was always available for questions/concerns.” He “broke concepts down into very understandable pieces that covered both big picture and detail, allowing me to learn more than I ever imagined. He was always encouraging and inspiring. He kept the class engaged even throughout long lectures, helping us to interact with the material.” All in all, “he is a role model for someone that I hope to be one day.”

Charles McCabe Faculty Prizes for Excellence in Teaching

Charles McCabe, M.D. Faculty Prizes for Excellence in Teaching

The Faculty Prizes for Excellence in Clerkship Teaching are named in memory of Charles McCabe, M.D., who was a beloved teacher of Harvard medical students and who also served as the director of the Core Clerkship in Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital for more than two decades. Dr. McCabe was also a recipient of the Faculty Prize for Excellence in Teaching on multiple occasions for his teaching of third-year medical students.

 

Gaurab Basu, M.D.
Instructor in Medicine
Cambridge Health Alliance
 
Dr. Basu is a primary care physician at Cambridge Health Alliance, and a co-course director of the CHA Internal Medicine Social Medicine & Research Based Health Advocacy course. Student nominations celebrated him as a model for “exemplary commitment and passion for medical education and the wellbeing of both patients and students.” Dr. Basu “has mastered the art of feedback -- the careful balance between pushing students to grow, regardless of their level, and motivating and encouraging already good habits.” It was noted he “sets exceptionally high standards for his students, which he matches with exceptional investment in teaching and guiding.” His students felt “privileged to have had the opportunity to learn both the science and art of medicine from such a skilled and humanistic clinician-advocate.” Dr. Basu is “a true ‘diamond’ who helps students build the tools to navigate the roughest parts of their medical training.”
 
Noelle Saillant, M.D.
Instructor in Surgery
Massachusetts General Hospital
 
Dr. Saillant is currently the Director of the Surgical Clerkship for the Principal Clinical Experience. Her students noted she serves “as a role model for every single student on her rotation” and that she is “passionate about teaching and ensures that every student gets the most out of their surgery experience, her lectures are always high-yield, digestible, and the concepts are well-explained.” Another student noted that “Dr. Saillant challenged us, inspired us, listened to us, and guided us. I feel lucky to have gone through the Churchill service and learn from her for a month.” Her passion for surgical education is clear to all who work with her as another student nominator stated “Despite having a full workload…she still prioritized the time she spent teaching us in simulations and lectures.” What stood out to many students was that “Beyond her teaching/professional roles, Dr. Saillant is also one of the most genuine, kindest instructors I've had the opportunity to work with. She cares so much for her students not only as future physicians but as people.”

Bulfinch Medical Student Teaching Award

Bulfinch Award for Undergraduate Medical Education
Massachusetts General Hospital

The Bulfinch Award for Undergraduate Medical Education at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) was established in 2012 and is awarded to a Harvard faculty member at MGH for overall excellence in teaching of Harvard medical students. This award is voted by the students who complete the Principal Clinical Experience (PCE) at MGH.

Noelle Saillant, M.D.
Instructor in Surgery
 
Dr. Saillant graduated from Boston University Modular Medical Integrated Curriculum program - a combined undergraduate and medical degree - in 2008 and completed her residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in 2013. She completed a clinical fellowship in Trauma Surgery and Surgical Critical Care at the University of Pennsylvania before joining the faculty in the Department of Surgery at MGH in 2016, where she is currently the Director of the Surgical Clerkship for the Principal Clinical Experience. In a very short time, Dr. Saillant has become a celebrated surgeon, intensivist and teacher with unprecedented teaching recognitions, being the first faculty at MGH to receive the Bulfinch Award in two consecutive years (2017 & 2018). In addition to being a past winner of the Bulfinch Award, she is also the recipient of a number of major teaching awards, including this year’s Charles McCabe Award for Clinical Teaching at HMS. Her clinical interests include advanced surgical care of the trauma patient with particular focus on chest wall stabilization, while her research interest is in the cellular aspect of trauma-induced coagulopathy. When not in the OR, she can be found surrounded by students, residents and fellows following her other passion, surgical education.

S. Robert Stone Award for Excellence in Teaching

S. Robert Stone Award for Excellence in Teaching
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

The S. Robert Stone Award for Excellence in Teaching has been awarded annually since 1981 to a member of the Harvard Medical School Faculty at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for outstanding achievement in the teaching of medical students and house staff. The award is given in honor of the late Honorary Trustee and past Board Chairman of the former Beth Israel Hospital by his children.

Julius J. Yang, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
 
Dr. Julius Yang is a hospitalist and leader of health care quality and safety programs in the Department of Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He is a teaching attending and preceptor of house staff and students, who cited him for taking a “real interest in all of the students,” “knowing everything about every patient we were following,” and “answering any question we might have.” He “stood out for his teaching in multiple ways – causing those lucky enough to work with him to gossip in awe how he could possibly manage to sustain his incredible dedication to his students as a busy MD.” “His feedback was always actionable, and when implemented, produced immediate changes in my patient interactions.”
 
S. Robert Stone Senior Award for Excellence in Teaching
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
 
Patricia (“Penny”) E. Greenstein, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
 
Dr. Penny Greenstein is Associate Director of the Neurology Residency program at BIDMC, and has been an extraordinarily effective teacher of students and residents for many years, in addition to being a resource to her faculty colleagues. Students usually meet her in their first-year course on medical genetics, a subspecialty interest of Dr. Greenstein. She teaches many of the 60 students on the third-year Neurology clerkship at BIDMC each year, and always finds time to contribute to the Department of Medicine’s weekly teaching conferences and clinic sessions. Residents have honored Dr. Greenstein for her contributions as a mentor and advocate for their well-being. In the words of one of her nominees, Penny Greenstein is “a leading exemplar of the classical general neurologist” who “epitomizes the clinical teacher and mentor whom we value so much at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.”

Leo A. Blacklow Teaching Award

Leo A. Blacklow Teaching Award
Mount Auburn Hospital

The Leo A. Blacklow Award is presented annually to an outstanding teacher who holds joint appointments at Harvard Medical School and Mount Auburn Hospital. The award honors Dr. Leo A. Blacklow, HMS 1930, who practiced Family Medicine in Belmont and at Mount Auburn Hospital. For over 60 years, he helped train residents and medical students while caring for five generations of families in Belmont and surrounding communities. Dr. Blacklow was a passionate advocate for education and an enduring role model for comprehensive and compassionate care for all.

Dr. J. Pierre Sasson, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Radiology
 
Dr. Sasson is the Program Director of the Radiology Residency and the Associate Chair of the Department of Radiology at Mount Auburn Hospital. Dr. Sasson has championed innovation in the design of the residency training program, mentored numerous trainees in their scholarly projects, created novel educational opportunities for Harvard medical students, and actively participated in the education of trainees and students throughout the institution. Trainees, peers and students note his “excellence in fostering an engaging and supportive learning environment” and his “tireless advocacy for students and trainees.” Under his supervision, the training program has flourished and numerous residents have gone on to prestigious fellowships, successful clinical careers, and positions of educational and academic leadership across the country. Simply stated, he is “recognized as an inspirational teacher and a role model for students and residents alike.”

Bernard Lown Award for Excellence in Teaching

Bernard Lown Award for Excellence in Teaching
Brigham and Women’s Hospital

The Bernard Lown Award for Excellence in Teaching at Brigham and Women's Hospital was established in 2010 to celebrate physicians who are outstanding clinical teachers and to recognize the very significant role that education plays in carrying out the BWH mission and the institution’s deep commitment to the next generation of clinicians. The award honors Dr. Bernard Lown, senior physician at BWH, Professor of Cardiology Emeritus at the Harvard School of Public Health, and founder of the Lown Cardiovascular Center and Lown Cardiovascular Research Foundation. A gifted clinician, renowned bedside teacher, and research pioneer, Dr. Lown was named Master Teacher of the American College of Cardiology on five occasions. He co-founded International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) with Dr. Evgeni Chazov, of the former Soviet Union; in 1985, they were co-recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of IPPNW.

Raymond Mak, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology/Director of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy
 
Raymond Mak is an educator and clinician in the Department of Radiation Oncology at BWH. While he is involved in numerous clinical endeavors and leadership roles, his true passion centers on teaching for which those who work with him say he has an amazing dedication to the process. When Ray was a chief resident, all senior residents specifically requested the opportunity to work with him, given his ability to teach in such an efficient and effectual manner. Medical students commented that “He made time every single week to get together and discuss any potential difficulties, as well as offer guidance on next steps…for every medical student and resident.” Other students commented that “There is no other attending in our program that provides such consistent and purposeful teaching day in and day out like Ray Mak does” and went onto say “There is literally no one better.” Ray inspires the level of teaching throughout the Department of Radiation Oncology to always strive for the very best – and leads by example.

Robert P. Masland, Jr. Teaching Award

Robert P. Masland, Jr. Teaching Award
Boston Children’s Hospital

Dr. Robert P. Masland, Jr. was the Chief of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine at Children’s from 1967-1993 and was a leader in establishing the field of Adolescent Medicine, as well as teaching communication and professionalism. In addition, he trained generations of medical students, residents, and faculty members at Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH). He was a supporter of flexible careers and work-life balance long before these issues were openly discussed. As a medical educator, Dr. Masland served as Co-Director of the Combined Harvard Medicine/Pediatrics Training program and as Associate Master for the Cannon Society at HMS. One of his favorite activities was mentoring HMS students and trying to convince them to pursue a career in pediatrics. As the Chair of the Intern Selection Committee at Boston Children’s Hospital from 1983-2002, he sought to rank as many HMS students as possible. Dr. Masland died in 2010, and this award was established in his honor to recognize a Children’s Hospital faculty member who shares Dr. Masland’s passion for teaching medical students.

Baruch Krauss, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
 
Dr. Baruch Krauss is a pediatric emergency physician at Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH), the director of the Department of Pediatrics Sedation Service, and an internationally known expert on sedation in children. Dr. Krauss completed his pediatric residency and pediatric emergency medicine fellowship training at BCH. He has received teaching awards from the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies and the Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching (HILT), and was the recipient of the BCH Medical Student Teaching Award in 2017. Dr. Krauss teaches a learning module - on building trusting relationships with children - in the Transition to Principal Clinical Experience Course and in the Pediatrics Clerkship at BCH. As part of this module, students participate in a one-to-one tutorial with Dr. Krauss in the emergency department, where they practice the skills and apply the concepts that they have learned in the classroom sessions. Several students have described this tutorial as one of the best experiences in medical school and are most inspired by the experience of learning how to “listen and connect” with young patients. In her nomination, Emily Gutowski stated: “He has an incredibly thoughtful and effective way of teaching students and physicians how best to interact with our youngest patients. He has a gift, but what makes him even more special is that he chooses to share it with us. His lessons will stick with me far beyond my pediatrics rotation.” Dr. Krauss certainly exemplifies the passionate educator this award was meant to recognize.

Richard A. Gillis Award for Excellence in Medical Education

Richard A. Gillis Award for Excellence in Medical Education

The Richard A. Gillis Award for Excellence in Medical Education was established in 2012 in memory of Rick Gillis (1953-2011), Executive Director of Curriculum Programs, whose 27 years of contributions to the MD program at Harvard Medical School exemplify the standards of excellence and the work ethic he inspired in those who were privileged to know him and to work with him. The award is given to a member or members of the HMS staff for their outstanding contributions to the educational mission of the School. This award serves as a reminder of Rick’s legacy and the critical role of staff in facilitating, in the words of his hero, President John F. Kennedy, “the infinite potential of the human mind that can be realized through education … [and that] can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our Nation.”

Mark Coyle
Instructional Lab Technician
Office of Curriculum Services
Harvard Medical School
 
Mark Coyle has been a member of the HMS staff since 1985, and a member of the Program in Medical Education (PME) staff since 1987. As Instructional Lab Technician in the Office of Curriculum Services, Mark provides crucial support to courses in both the Pathways and HST programs, managing the resources for our teaching laboratories, and he does so “capably and confidently, and best of all, he can inject a smile and some humor into the process. He deals with faculty course directors in multiple programs, support staff at all levels, a plethora of outside vendors, and of course, the students. He goes out of his way to contribute to his colleagues' projects and tasks. He is the epitome of a team player. He knows nearly everyone [at HMS], it seems, and if he doesn't know someone, he still treats that person as if he does. Mark has also lent his beautiful singing voice to many a Harvard Medical School occasion,” including the HMS memorial service for his beloved colleague Rick Gillis, with whom he worked for nearly three decades. “Mark invokes Rick’s spirit in implicit and explicit ways. [His] service to the medical school was in part a product of Rick’s leadership, and Mark promotes such service to Harvard Medical School’s mission in everything he does.”
 
Susan Zapatka
Associate Registrar
Office of the Registrar
Harvard Medical School
 
Susan Zapatka joined the HMS staff in 1986 and has been a member of the PME staff since 1987, first in the former Office of Educational Development, and since 1998 in the Registrar’s Office. She was promoted to Associate Registrar in 2006. Susan’s dedication and service to all students served by the HMS Registrar’s Office, both MD and Master’s students, past and present, is exemplary, and on a daily basis she demonstrates unwavering “excellence in [her] work, and [her] personal standard of achievement is inspiring.” She “ensures that students, from matriculation through graduation, are well-served, establishing an environment that allows students to pursue their education without unnecessary administrative distractions. Long before students arrive on campus, [she is] busily creating the new class - from ID cards, to term bills and health insurance coverage, and [she] deftly manages the student database. In addition to each new class, [Susan] tracks the continuing students. …Keeping track of the students - MD, MBA, MPH, PHD, to name a few - is like working a Rubik’s cube in the dark; [she] accomplishes this masterfully. [Susan’s] commitment enhances the students’ lives behind the scenes - from making sure each student’s name is letter perfect on their diploma to creating the complex tuition model in my.harvard.” Susan is a great colleague and team member - always ready to roll up her sleeves and tackle the next challenge.

L. James Wiczai, Jr. Award

L. James Wiczai Award for Leadership, Excellence, and Innovation in Medical Education

The Wiczai Award was established in 2000 by Karen C. Kirby in memory of her husband, L. James Wiczai, to honor a staff member from an affiliated hospital who fosters innovation and excellence in medical education and promotes collaboration between Harvard Medical School and the Harvard-affiliated hospitals.

Lisa Neville
Associate Program Administrator, Department of Medicine
Massachusetts General Hospital
 
Lisa Neville serves as an Associate Program Administrator in the Department of Medicine at MGH and in that role oversees all course coordinators for the UME clinical courses at MGH, including all Principal Clinical Experience (PCE) clerkships, advanced clerkships and electives. She also serves as manager of the PCE and as the course coordinator for the Core 1 Medicine Clerkship and Core 2 Medicine Subinternship. Prior to joining the MGH undergraduate medical education team in 2015, Lisa served for seven years as course manager in the Office of Curriculum Services in the Program in Medical Education at HMS for the Patient-Doctor course sequence and the successor course Practice of Medicine. Dr. Alberto Puig, who nominated Lisa for the Wiczai Award, lauded her “leadership of the administrative duties in the PCE, her tutelage of our students' academic and personal needs and her ability to meet the needs of the many members of our education community with grace and ease…” Other faculty who work with her noted “her inventiveness, competence and approachability”; … “her outstanding problem solving skills”;… and that she is “incredibly caring and truly devoted to her work, to the faculty, to the students, and, to the educational mission of MGH and HMS.”