Faculty Recognized with 2026 Teaching Excellence Awards and Esteemed Educator Honors

Faculty from the Department of Surgery at were among those recognized in the school’s 2026 Teaching Excellence Awards, honoring educators who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to medical student and trainee education. The annual recognition celebrates faculty members across the institution for their dedication to mentorship, innovation in teaching, and excellence in academic medicine.

The following Department of Surgery faculty members were recognized:

• Mohin Bhadkamkar, MD
• Thomas Clements, MD
• John Cowling, MD
• Casey Duncan, MD
• Ekatarina Elliott, DO
• Melissa Felinski, DO
• Jordan Grubbs, MD
• Julie Holihan, MD
• Hajar Ibrahim Ayoub, MD
• Erik Marques, MD
• Krislynn Mueck, MD
• Michelle Scerbo, MD
• Melissa Stewart, MD
• Jonah Stulberg, MD
• David Wainwright, MD
• Curtis Wray, MD

Introduced in 2025, the Esteemed Educator designation recognizes senior faculty members who have received the Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award five or more times. These faculty are honored for their sustained contributions to medical education and are no longer eligible for the annual teaching award.

Esteemed Educators:

• David Kim, MD
• Laura Moore, MD

Award recipients from departments across McGovern Medical School were also recognized, highlighting the institution’s collaborative culture of teaching excellence and learner support.

We congratulate all recipients and honorees for their continued dedication to education, mentorship, and the training of future physicians.

---