Terrell named Outstanding Student in Gross Anatomy
The Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy has named Zachary Terrell, MS4, as the winner of the Outstanding Student in Gross Anatomy 2025 Award.
Terrell was honored for his excellence performance in the Gross Anatomy course as well as his generous effort in supporting his fellow students as a Gross Anatomy Pedagogue for first-year students and as a tutor for fourth-year students.
“While I cannot take credit for the knowledge itself, I’m thankful for the chance to pass it on to the next generation of physicians,” Terrell said. “Teaching, especially in the anatomy lab, has become one of my greatest joys, and I hope to continue throughout residency.”
Terrell said he first discovered his passion for medicine during an anatomy course at The University of Texas, taken as part of his kinesiology degree.
“It was the first time I genuinely enjoyed studying – a moment that marked a turning point in my academic journey,” he said.
Terrell has gone on to complete four advanced anatomy courses and conveyed that it has been a privilege to teach anatomy at both the graduate and medical school levels.
He shared that his experience with the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy has been truly exceptional and said that he is deeply grateful for the opportunities made possible by McGovern Medical School’s donors and their families, as well as the Willed Body Program.
“These individuals, our first patients, offer us an unparalleled educational experience, and learning from them has been an extraordinary honor,” Terrell said. “Since my first semester, I’ve been honored to host the annual cadaver memorial ceremony at McGovern Medical School.”
Terrell said that the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy is shaped by its remarkable faculty whose passion and dedication are both inspiring and contagious.
“In particular, Han Zhang, MD, and Claire Hulsebosch, PhD, have played a pivotal role in creating a supportive and enriching environment in one of the curriculum’s most rigorous courses,” Terrell said. “It is no coincidence that they have collectively earned half of the John H. Freeman Awards for Faculty Teaching over the past two decades.”
Terrell also expressed his appreciation for Kurt Clark and the Human Structure Facility staff, whose tireless behind-the-scenes work reflects their genuine commitment to student success.
In the summer of 2025, Terrell will begin his general surgery residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center, with plans to pursue fellowship training in trauma.