Herbert L. and Margaret W. DuPont Master Clinical Teaching Award: Dia Waguespack, MD
Dia Waguespack, MD, associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, is the winner of the 2024 Herbert L. and Margaret W. DuPont Master Clinical Teaching Award.
Established in 2001 and made possible by a gift from the DuPonts, the award recognizes and preserves the essence and quality of the master clinical teacher, reflecting McGovern Medical School’s top priority of quality clinical education.
“I love what I do. Caring for patients, educating, and most importantly, learning from them is an honor and a privilege,” Waguespack said. “It is also a great privilege to teach the next generation of physicians. Winning this award and joining the ranks of the past recipients is a true honor and accomplishment.”
Waguespack has clinical and research interests in chronic kidney disease management, glomerulonephritis, and home dialysis therapies for end-stage renal disease. As an educator, she is actively involved in developing the Medical School curriculum and serves as the director of the Renal Disease and Hypertension Fellowship Program.
“As educators and students, we are continually learning from one another and our patients,” Waguespack said. “The process of teaching and learning evolves daily. Fostering an inclusive, safe, and open learning environment promotes optimal information and retention, and embracing feedback and continually refining instructional approaches are pivotal for effective communication and content delivery.”
Waguespack received her medical degree from McGovern Medical School in 2010 before completing her internal medicine residency and nephrology fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. She is a member of the Alpha Omega Honor Medical Society and the American Society of Nephrology.
Upon winning the award, Waguespack thanked her husband and children, parents, and siblings for their daily support and encouragement, as well as Dr. Peggy Hsieh, who she said always provides guidance and allows her to brainstorm new ideas. Additionally, she thanked her mentor, Dr. Donald Malony, the entire team of program managers in the Office of Educational Programs, including her team managers Alison Randazzo and Amanda Marshall, as well as Herbert L. and Margaret W. DuPont, for their commitment to education at McGovern Medical School.
“I am honored to be the recipient of this award,” Waguespack said. “I still remember Dr. DuPont’s engaging lectures when I was a medical student at McGovern, and to be honored by him and his wife, who both have such dedication to medical education, is humbling.”
Previous recipients of the DuPont Award are: Hilary Fairbrother, MD, MPH, 2023; Sasha Adams, MD, 2022; Katie Normand, MD, 2021; Robby Wesley, DO, 2020; Jennifer L. Swails, MD, 2019; J. Chase Findley, MD, 2018; Don Molony, MD, 2017; Erin Furr Stimming, MD, 2016; Gabriel Aisenberg, MD, 2015; Mark Hormann, MD, 2014; Mark Farnie, MD, 2013; John Foringer, MD, 2012; Pedro Mancias, MD, 2011; Phil Johnson, MD, 2010; Francisco Fuentes, MD, 2009; Cheves Smythe, MD, 2008; Eugene Toy, MD, 2007; John Sparks, MD, 2006; Victor Lavis, MD, 2005; Philip Orlander, MD, 2004; Ian Butler, MD, 2003; Patrick Brosnan, MD, 2002; and Frank Arnett, MD, 2001.