Colleagues:
We seek your help in nominating faculty for the following teaching awards. The recipients of these awards will be recognized at the Academy of Educators annual Evening of Scholarship on May 18, 2010. Please send your nomination and supporting letters to Vickie Cecil by April 16, 2010 in electronic form.
Thank you for your assistance,
Stephen G. Chaney, PhD
Chair of the Academy of Educators Teaching Awards Committee

Clinical and Basic Science Teaching Excellence Awards – one award in each category directed towards great teachers who are not course directors, but who make significant contributions to courses in years 1 and 2. Nominations could come from course directors, other course faculty and/or department chairs or division chiefs. The nomination letter should provide information on the teaching contributions and student evaluations, if available, of the nominee. Each nomination will require nominating or support letters from both the department chair/division chief and the course director. Other support letters could be solicited by the nominator from other course faculty and/or students. Recipients of these awards would not be eligible to receive the same award for five years.

Clinical Preceptor Excellence in Teaching Award (for faculty at UNC Hospitals) – two awards; one for faculty in the core clinical curriculum (year 3) and one for faculty in the advanced curriculum (year 4). Awards in this category would go to faculty who are strong clinical preceptors, but who do not have administrative responsibilities that place them on the Clinical Curriculum Committee. Nominations could come from clerkship directors, other course faculty, department chairs or division chiefs, with at least one nominating or support letter from the department chair or division chief. The nomination letter should provide information on the teaching contributions and student evaluations, if available, of the nominee. Other support letters could be solicited by the nominator from other course faculty and/or students. Recipients of these awards would not be eligible to receive the same award for five years.

Clinical Preceptor Excellence in Teaching Award (for off-campus faculty) – two to four awards; both for faculty preceptors in the year 1 and 2 community weeks and one each for faculty preceptors in years 3 and 4 of the clinical curriculum. Nominations for the year one/two award could come from students or Introduction to Clinical Medicine (ICM) course director(s). At least one of the nomination or support letters for the year one/two award should come from the ICM course director(s) and should provide information on the teaching contributions and student evaluations, if available, of the nominee. Nominations for the year three/four award(s) could come from students or other course faculty. At least one of the nomination or support letters for the year three/four award(s) should come from course faculty and should provide information on the teaching contributions and student evaluations, if available, of the nominee. Other support letters could be solicited by the nominator from other course faculty and/or students. Recipients of these awards would not be eligible to receive the same award for five years.

Medical Student Research Mentor Award – This award recognizes excellence in training medical students in the fundamentals of medical research and research ethics and would not be limited to mentors of MD/PhD students. Nominations would come from the Medical Student Research Committee of the Office of Student Research or student(s) of the research mentor. A letter of support from the department chair or division chief would be required, and letters of support could also come from the Medical Student Research Committee of the Office of Student Research and both present and former students of the research mentor. The letter of support from the department chair or division chief should include the research accomplishments of present and past students. Recipients of these awards would not be eligible to receive the same award for five years.

Medical Student Advisor Award – This award recognizes dedication and effectiveness as a medical student advisor for faculty who are not officially part of the Dean’s office advising system. Nominations would come from student advisees of the faculty member. A letter of support from the department chair or division chief would be required, and letters of support could also come from other present and former student advisees of the faculty member. Recipients of these awards would not be eligible to receive the same award for five years.

Innovation in Teaching Award – This award recognizes innovation in medical student teaching and could include course directors and teachers with administrative responsibilities. Nominations could come from course/clerkship directors, other course faculty and/or department chairs or division chiefs. Each nomination will require nominating or support letters from both the department chair/division chief and the course/clerkship director. The nomination letter should include a description of the innovative teaching methods developed and student evaluations, if available, of the impact of those innovative teaching methods. Recipients of these awards would not be eligible to receive the same award for five years.

Lifetime Achievement Award in Medical Education – This award would be for faculty that have demonstrated sustained excellence in teaching and mentoring medical students over 10 years or more. Nominations could come from course/clerkship directors, other course faculty and/or department chairs/division chiefs. Each nomination will require a nominating or support letters from the department chair or division chief. Other support letters could be solicited by the nominator from other course faculty and students.