Sixteen employees, four students and two special friends of the Health Science Center received awards of excellence from President Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D. at the Presidential Awards ceremony Jan. 25. They were presented primarily to faculty and staff members who exemplify exceptional dedication and leadership in their fields and provide good examples for others at the HSC.
Presidential Distinguished Scholar Award
Steven M. Haffner, M.D., received the Presidential Distinguished Scholar Award. Dr. Haffner is a professor in the department of medicine and the division of clinical epidemiology. The world-renowned epidemiologist has designed and led major clinical trials breaking new ground in diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
One of the most cited researchers in the world, Dr. Haffner helped spearhead the Diabetes Prevention Program, through which researchers discovered that moderate weight loss with diet and exercise lowered the incidence of diabetes among participants by 58 percent.
Presidential Junior Research Scholar Award
Xin-Yun Lu, Ph.D., assistant professor in the department of pharmacology, received the Presidential Junior Research Scholar Award. The award honors outstanding investigators who are in their first five years of conducting research. Dr. Lu’s major research interest is in the molecular mechanisms and neural circuits underlying obesity, eating disorders and depression.
Presidential Teaching Excellence AwardThe Presidential Teaching Excellence Award honors full-time faculty who represent the finest in education. This year’s recipients include:
- J. Glenn Forister, M.P.A.S., P.A.-C., assistant professor and academic coordinator involved with physician assistant studies in the School of Allied Health Sciences
- Mary Jacks, M.S., R.D.H., and assistant professor in the department of dental hygiene
- Janis Rice, M.S.N., R.N., assistant clinical professor in the department of acute nursing care
- Richard P. Usatine, M.D., professor in the department of family and community medicine
- Abraham Verghese, M.D., director of the Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics
- Janet F. Williams, M.D., professor of pediatrics
Presidential Clinical Excellence AwardThis award honors full-time faculty who provide clinical services as part of the appointment and who exemplify the finest in patient care. Winners of this award include:
- Sandra Jo Ehlers, M.D., an associate clinical professor of pediatrics
- Boulos Toursarkissian, M.D., associate professor of surgery
- Pamela M. Otto, M.D., an associate professor of radiology
Employee Excellence in Service AwardThe Employee Excellence in Service Award honors employees who have made significant contributions in service to the HSC. This year’s honorees include:
- Jennifer L. Bernu-Bittle, creative director in the office of external affairs
- Kimberly S. Clark, a Web specialist in multimedia and Web services, part of educational media resources
- Lisa D. Bradshaw, administrative assistant in the office of compliance and consultation
- Walter R. Mejia, senior research associate in the department of physiology
- Virgil R. Schirf, research associate in the department of biochemistry
Presidential Ambassador Scholar AwardThese awards are given each year to one student from each of the HSC’s five schools. The award is based on the students’ academic record, leadership and community service. Each student receives a scholarship from the President’s Council, serves as a representative of the HSC at events throughout the year and has the opportunity to spend time with the Presidential Distinguished Lecturer in the fall. Winners of the prestigious student award include:
- Cherie Albertson from the School of Allied Health Sciences
- Nicole Baganz from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
- Anthony Morlandt from the Dental School
- Bevin O’Connor from the School of Nursing
- Dustin Williams from the School of Medicine
Special Presidential AwardDr. and Mrs. Malcolm D. Orr were presented the Special Presidential Award for their tireless efforts in establishing and nurturing the HSC International Alliance, an organization formed to welcome students, employees and their families to the HSC. “Through your tireless efforts, so many were made to feel at home through cultural exchange programs, classes, sports, food, dance and music,” Dr. Cigarroa said when presenting the award. “You made the assimilation of many frightened new employees and their families much easier and made them feel that they had a new home.”
