G. Sealy Massingill, M.D. ’85 receives TMA Silver-level recognition award

May 14, 2014

Front: Surendra K. Varma, MD, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock; Cheryl L. Hurd, MD, University of North Texas Health Science Center Back: Kevin Hood McKinney, MD, The University of Texas Medical Branch; Rodney B. Young, MD, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo (center); G. Sealy Massingill, MD, University of North Texas Health Science Center
Photo by Jim Lincoln

Six outstanding physicians who educate future generations of doctors in Texas received TMA’s 2014 Award for Excellence in Academic Medicine for exemplary achievement at TexMed 2014.Surendra K. Varma, MD, of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock was the 2014 Platinum-level award winner.

The multilevel award program recognizes academic physicians who are consummate teachers, role models, and medical professionals. The TMA Council on Medical Education’s Subcommittee for Academic Physicians created the award in 2012 to recognize Texas physician leaders who have simultaneously dedicated their lives to the care of patients and to the preparation of the physician workforce of tomorrow.

The awards program has four recognition levels — Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum — and eligibility requirements increase for each level. Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels are self-nominating.

A committee of TMA member physicians selected Dr. Varma as the 2014 Platinum-level award winner from among the eligible Gold-level recipients. Dr. Varma was recognized by the House of Delegates at TexMed 2014 and received a $5,000 cash award and trophy. The Award for Excellence in Academic Medicine is made possible through a grant from TMA Foundation thanks to gifts from physicians and their families and institutional donors. Physicians who receive Gold-level recognition are eligible for the Platinum award for a period of three years.

Dr. Varma, a pediatric endocrinologist, has a long, distinguished career in academic medicine, with more than 40 years of service at Texas Tech. He is currently vice chair of the Department of Pediatrics, associate dean for graduate medical education and resident affairs, and a distinguished professor of physiology and health services research. Dr. Varma has an extensive leadership list in local, state, and national organizations and has held numerous leadership positions in academic and clinical practice over his long career. Along the way, he has mentored a host of medical students, residents, and physician faculty.

Check It’s Academic for an announcement of the 2014-15 award application cycle, late this summer.

TMA congratulates each award recipient!

2013-14 TMA Award for Excellence in Academic Medicine Recipients

2014 Platinum award winner: Surendra K. Varma, MD, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock

2014 recipients of Gold-level recognition:

  • Charles Rudolph Bauer, MD, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • Kevin Hood McKinney, MD, The University of Texas Medical Branch
  • Surendra K. Varma, MD, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock
  • Rodney B. Young, MD, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo*

2014 recipients of Silver-level recognition:

  • Cheryl L. Hurd, MD, University of North Texas Health Science Center
  • G. Sealy Massingill, MD, University of North Texas Health Science Center

Note: There were no Bronze-level applicants for the 2014 cycle.

2013 recipients of Gold-level recognition eligible for 2014 Platinum level award:

  • Joel Sullivan Dunnington, MD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • Lewis E. Foxhall, MD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • John J. Fraser Jr., MD, The University of Texas Medical Branch
  • Alice K. Gong, MD, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • Robert Greenberg, MD, Texas A&M Texas Health Science Center/Scott & White Healthcare
  • R. Moss Hampton, MD, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Permian Basin
  • John C. Jennings, MD, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Permian Basin
  • Kevin W. Klein, MD, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
  • Evan G. Pivalizza, MD, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
  • Rajam S. Ramamurthy, MD, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • Michael E. Speer, MD, Baylor College of Medicine
  • V.O. Speights Jr., DO, Texas A&M Texas Health Science Center/Scott & White Healthcare

*As a member of award selection committee for the Platinum level, was not considered for the platinum award this year