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.
