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.
Barbara Cockrill, MD
Harold Amos Academy Associate Professor of Medicine and Medical Education
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Dr. Barbara Cockrill is a Pulmonary and Critical Care physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. At HMS, she serves as Director of Faculty Development in the PME’s Office of Educational Quality Improvement, and as Director of the Pathways preclerkship course, Homeostasis I. In nominating her for the O’Hara Award, one student stated “She is wonderful leader, human and educator, who has inspired our class during what has been the most daunting moment of our nascent careers as health professional.” A nominator shared “Dr. Cockrill identified herself immediately as a champion of our education and… emphasized her role as partner in our education - to teach us, push us into the scary unknown waters, and help us resurface, more confident, knowledgeable, and thoughtful students, on the other side.” Another student noted, “Dr. Cockrill is one of the best educators I have ever been taught by… pedagogically, she explained difficult concepts in a clear manner, and when students were at all confused, she made sure to take time out of class to put together a diagram or supplemental notes in order to clarify any points of confusion from the lesson that day.” She was celebrated for “her style and poise which encompass what a true leader and master professor of medical education looks like.” Many nominations spoke of her “display of the utmost level of dedication when she had to transition our course to an online format in a matter of days.” “Dr. Cockrill embodies adaptability and humility, and she is a role model for us, students, as we continue on our professional journeys.” Overall, students felt, “Her leadership and care for students should earn her the teaching award every year, but even more so in this year of COVID-19.”