28 faculty named Champions of the Clinical Learning Environment
As a continual knowledge of the work it takes to foster a positive and professional learning atmosphere, the Directors of Learning Environment at McGovern Medical School announced 28 faculty members who have earned the title of 2024 Champions of the Clinical Learning Environment.
The accolade celebrates faculty who have significantly influenced McGovern Medical School students during their third-year clerkship rotations by cultivating a professional and stimulating learning environment. The selection of these champions is based on an in-depth review of the Learning Environment Surveys (LES) from Fall 2023 and Spring 2024. The survey invites third-year medical students to highlight faculty who have made a meaningful difference in their educational experience.
Hundreds of faculty members were mentioned across various departments, exemplifying qualities of empathy, compassion, and excellence while maintaining a safe and engaging learning environment. The awardees were chosen based on the volume of student responses they received, with three to four faculty members selected from each clerkship.
Notably, two of the 2024 Champions of the Clinical Learning Environment, Gabriel Aisenberg, MD, professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and Saleem Khan, MD, professor in the Department of Surgery, achieved this distinction for the fifth consecutive year, marking every year since the award’s inception. Additionally, Cristina Murdock, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, has been recognized four out of five years, including every year in which the Geriatrics clerkship has been offered to medical students.
“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to these exceptional educators for their enduring positive influence on students, patients, and the clinical learning environment,” said Vineeth John, MD, professor and John S. Dunn Professor in the Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and co-director of the Learning Environment in the Office of Professionalism.
2024 awardees for the Champions of the Clinical Learning Environment are:
Alyssa Adams, MD, assistant professor, Pediatrics
Gabriel Aisenberg, MD, professor, Internal Medicine
Dean Atkinson, MD, assistant professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Pedro Balaguera, MD, assistant professor, Neurology
Melissa Christie, MD, assistant professor, Neurology
John Cowling, MD, assistant professor, Surgery
Akshar Dash, MD, assistant professor, Internal Medicine
Jenny Duret-Uzodinma, MD, associate professor, OBGYN
Christin Fok, MD, assistant professor, Pediatrics
Dana Giza, MD, assistant professor, Internal Medicine
George Golod, MD, staff physician, Family and Community Medicine
Sara Holcombe, DO, associate professor, OBGYN
Jason Holliday, MD, assistant professor, OBGYN
Todd Huzar, MD, professor, Surgery
Brandi Karnes, MD, assistant professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Saleem Khan, MD, professor, Surgery
Ana Leech, MD, MS, associate professor, Internal Medicine
John Lincoln, MD, PhD, associate professor, Neurology
Vijaya Mallela, MBBS/MD, associate professor, Family and Community Medicine
Wade McAlister, MD, assistant professor, Orthopedic Surgery
Cristina Murdock, MD, assistant professor, Internal Medicine
Rex Paulino, MD, assistant professor, Internal Medicine
Teresa Pigott, MD, professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Bal Reddy, MD, associate professor, Family and Community Medicine
Behrooz Saffari, MD, staff physician, Family and Community Medicine
Kimberly Smith, MD, professor, Pediatrics
Victoriano Valdez, MD, assistant professor, Internal Medicine
Michael Zhu, MD, assistant professor, Internal Medicine
This report was generated by directors of learning environment John Riggs, MD, MS, and Vineeth John, MD, MBA, and Abbey Bachman, PhD, MEd, assistant professor in the Office of Educational Programs.