The 2008 Samuel R. Goldstein Leadership Awards in Medical Student Education have been awarded to Leslie Kahl, M.D.; David Murray, M.D.; and Linda Pike, Ph.D.
Kahl
The annual awards, which recognize outstanding teaching and commitment to medical education, are among the highest honors that School of Medicine faculty can achieve. They were established in 2000 in honor of Goldstein, a longtime friend of the School of Medicine.
A selection committee made up of faculty and a student representative from each class reviews all submitted nominations and selects three awardees based on incorporation of innovative approaches to teaching and curriculum development, commitment to enhance educational skills and teaching evaluations. The committee forwards its recommendations to Larry J. Shapiro, M.D., executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, for final approval.
“Drs. Kahl, Murray and Pike exemplify the outstanding education the School of Medicine offers our students,” said Shapiro. “This award acknowledges their important contributions and dedication to training outstanding physicians and scientists. We are grateful to Samuel Goldstein for his generous gift allowing us to recognize our faculty in this manner.”
Kahl is a professor of medicine and associate dean for student affairs. She has been coursemaster of the rheumatology course for second-year medical students since 1992, which includes a formal curriculum in rheumatology and small-group sessions with patients. Kahl teaches in all four years of the medical school curriculum, including oath-building in the first year, the second-year rheumatology course, third-year lectures in the internal medicine clerkship and hosting fourth-year students in her rheumatology clinic. Students have rated the second-year course very highly and have awarded her numerous teaching awards.
Murray
Erika Crouch, M.D., Ph.D., professor of pathology and immunology and chair of the selection committee, said Kahl has also made numerous contributions as associate dean for student affairs.
“She has worked tirelessly on behalf of our students, investing great time and effort to provide additional guidance for students who encounter difficulties during their preclinical or clinical training,” Crouch said.
Murray is the Carol B. and Jerome T. Loeb Professor of Medicine, professor of anesthesiology and director of the Clinical Simulation Program, which he has spearheaded since 1996.
Simulation-based training programs designed by Murray provide experiential learning opportunities for medical students, interns and residents. These unique training experiences allow medical students to acquire many skills directly applicable to patient care.
Students cite his relaxed manner, his patience and depth of knowledge and his influence on their decision to choose careers in anesthesiology.
Pike
“Dr. Murray is internationally recognized for his outstanding contributions in relation to the development and implementation of clinical simulations,” Crouch said. “These tools allow students to fine-tune their skills in a risk-free environment.”
Pike is associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics. She is coursemaster for the first-year “Molecular Foundations of Medicine” course, which she reorganized by increasing the clinical relevance, reducing the number of lecturers, changing the nature of exams and introducing electronic presentations. Pike is also a lecturer for the “Cell and Organ Systems Biology” course.
“These are demanding courses with a rapidly evolving curricula,” Crouch said. “Dr. Pike continues to innovate in her approach to teaching, making materials available online to students in new and convenient ways.”
Pike has received nearly a dozen teaching awards from students.
Kahl, Murray and Pike will be honored at Medical Education Day in the spring.