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Master Educators and Other Winners Academic excellence depends on high quality teaching. Two years ago, UMDNJ established a Master Educators’ Guild to honor exceptional faculty. Designation as a Master Educator recognizes a true gift for teaching in the classroom, research laboratory and clinical setting, as well as a commitment to make the educational experience at UMDNJ a remarkable one for students. In 2000 and 2001, the University inducted 26 members into the Guild. The third class of 11 faculty members—chosen by their deans from nominations by peers, students, faculty, administrators and department chairs—was elected to the Guild in July 2002. A University-wide committee chaired by David Gibson, EdD, dean of the School of Health Related Professions, reviewed and approved the following exceptional faculty for membership: • From New Jersey Dental School: Carol Brownstein, DDS, professor of periodontics (not shown); • From the School of Nursing: Barbara Caldwell, PhD, MA, MSN, RN, CNS, associate professor and advanced nurse practitioner in psychiatric mental health; • From New Jersey Medical School: Nancy Connell, PhD, vice dean of research in the Department of Medicine, Kenneth Friedman, PhD, associate professor of pharmacology and physiology, and Susan Mautone, MD, associate professor of pediatrics; •From the School of Health Related Professions: Sandra Kaplan, PT, PhD, associate professor of developmental and rehabilitative sciences; • From Robert Wood Johnson Medical School: David Kountz, MD, associate professor of medicine and Alfred Tallia, MD, MPH, associate professor of family medicine; • From the School of Osteopathic Medicine: Kai Mon Lee, PhD, assistant professor of molecular biology; • From the School of Public Health: Marian Passannante, PhD, associate professor of preventive medicine and community health; • From the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences: Ann Stock, PhD, professor of biochemistry.
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During the past year, Guild members worked together to build a virtual home, called the OnLine Center for Excellence in Health Sciences Education and Teaching (http://www. umdnj.edu/megweb). The purpose of the Center is to support and encourage UMDNJ faculty development and collaborations, and to serve as a comprehensive resource center for the health sciences teaching community at large. The Guild sponsored its first major academic symposium last May, entitled "Technology May Be the Answer, But What Is the Question?" The conference featured presentations by renowned academic technology experts, and faculty projects demonstrating how technology can enhance educational excellence. Awards are most often bestowed on individuals who have made their mark. But this year, special recognition was given to entire departments whose level of accomplishment was particularly noteworthy. Twelve departments from seven schools were nominated for the three Departmental Awards for Academic Excellence. These awards recognize that excellence is achieved through the collaborative efforts of faculty, guided by strong departmental leadership. The awards are founded on the premise that scholarship is the vital core of the academic enterprise and that departments that encourage and develop faculty scholarship should be recognized for their accomplishments. Nominations for awards were reviewed by two committees, a research committee, chaired by Bill Stephenson, PhD, vice president for research, and an education committee chaired by Karen Putterman, MD, vice president for academic affairs. The Departmental Award for Academic Excellence in Education—given to the School of Health Related Professions’ Department of Psychia-tric Rehabilitation and Behavioral Health Care—recognizes innovation in curriculum, pedagogy and the use of educational technology. Kenneth Gill, PhD, is chair of the department. Two awards were given in the research category. Four key criteria determined this award, including defining a research agenda that contributes to the advancement of health in the community, state and for society at large. The overall excellence in departmental research was given to the Department of Biochemistry at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Masayori Inouye, PhD, is the department chair. The greatest improvement in departmental research award went to the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at New Jersey Medical School. Michael Mathews, PhD, is the department chair. Both Inouye and Mathews have been the recipients in past years of the Outstanding Research Award presented by the Foundation of UMDNJ and this year’s recipient, Danny Reinberg, PhD, is a faculty member in Inouye’s department.
• • • Each University Day, one individual is honored with the UMDNJ Medal for Distinguished Leadership. The medal is awarded to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to advancing UMDNJ’s core mission, and to improving the lives and health of the people of New Jersey. This year’s honoree is Stephen Weinstein, Esq. Known to everyone as Skippy, he’s been a member of the University’s Board of Trustees for almost two decades. A well-respected and successful trial attorney, earlier this year Weinstein was named a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. As a trustee, concerned about the rising trend of medical malpractice suits, he founded the Board’s Claims Committee. Because of his expertise in liability law, UMDNJ has saved tens of millions of dollars over the years. He has served on numerous committees in addition to chairing the Claims Committee, including the audit and finance, affirmative action and ethics committees. Weinstein has helped UMDNJ establish positive and productive relationships with the communities that house the University’s campuses. In addition, he was instrumental in securing the passage of two major legislative initiatives for the University —the act naming the college as the state’s second university in 1981, and the Flexibility Act of 1992, which empowered UMDNJ to form partnerships and subsidiaries. In 1996, in recognition of his leadership, the University nominated Weinstein, and he was given, the prestigious national Trustee of the Year by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. UMDNJ applauds all of 2002’s remarkable winners. |
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The magazine of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey |
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