Presidential Awards Ceremony honors faculty

Excellence in education, research and clinical practice were highlighted at the Health Science Center Jan. 29 during the Presidential Awards Ceremony and Introduction of New Faculty. The university community gathered for the first time in the auditorium since Sept. 11 to recognize and honor the dedication and hard work of UTHSC faculty. The afternoon was filled with a sense of pride for the university and the diverse talents of its employees.

Capt. Celeste Mussey, university police, sang a moving rendition of the national anthem. Later, the MedTones performed familiar tunes including "This Land is Your Land" and "Bright New Tomorrow." Shelly Gunn, MS-IV and Ph.D. candidate, entertained with an inspiring piano pre- and postlude on a Yamaha baby grand piano donated for the occasion by Alamo Music Center.

"I am always so proud to be your president, but especially so on days such as this," said Dr. Francisco G. Cigarroa, as he addressed the audience. "This is a grand occasion for us and I am grateful for all of you who make this university the special place that it is. Together, we are creating a university of the first class where we can all learn, discover and contribute to the future of health and patient care as we make a difference in this world."

Twelve faculty members received Presidential Awards including the newly created Presidential Junior Research Scholar Award and the Presidential Clinical Excellence Award. New faculty members also were introduced. The award winners are featured below.

Capt. Celeste Mussey, university police, wows the audience with her performance of the national anthem.

Ramiro Fuentes (at the piano), psychiatry, leads the MedTones in song during the Presidential Awards Ceremony Jan. 29.

Award Recipients:
Presidential Distinguished Scholar Award Recipient
Presidential Clinical Excellence Award Recipients
Presidential Teaching Excellence Award Recipients
Presidential Junior Research Scholar Award Recipients

Presidential Junior Research Scholar Award Committee

Patricia Camacho, PhD Department of Physiology	Mary MacDougall, PhD Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Giovanni De Domenico, PhD Department of Physical Therapy	Kathleen Stevens, RN, EdN, FAAN Department of Family Nursing Care
Victor German, MD, PhD Department of Pediatrics	Judy Teale, PhD Department of Microbiology
John Littlefield, PhD (Chair) Academic Informatics Services

Presidential Clinical Excellence Award Committee

Laurie Bradley, DDS Department of General Dentistry	Norma Rogers, PhD Department of Family Nursing Care
Chantal Harrison, MD Department of Pathology	Kenneth Sirinek, MD, PhD Department of Surgery
Joseph Kobos, PhD (Chair) Office of Student Services	Thomas Turturro, MS, MDiv, PT Department of Physical Therapy

Presidential Teaching Excellence Award Committee

Ken Andrews, PhD (Chair) Academic Informatics Services	Thomas Marshall, DDS Department of Restorative Dentistry
Margaret Brackley, PhD Department of Chronic Nursing Care	Linda Smith, PhD Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Richard Luduena, PhD Department of Biochemistry	Craig Witz, MD Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Presidential Distinguished Scholar Award Committee

Patricia Camacho, PhD Department of Physiology	John Littlefield, PhD (Chair) Academic Informatics Services
Giovanni De Domenico, PhD Department of Physical Therapy	Mary MacDougall, PhD Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Victor German, MD, PhD Department of Pediatrics	Kathleen Stevens, RN, EdN, FAAN Department of Family Nursing Care
Bankole Johnson, MD, PhD Department of Psychiatry	Judy Teale, PhD Department of Microbiology
Terry LeGrand, PhD, RRT Department of Respiratory Care