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School of Medicine
School of Medicine  :  Office of Professional Development & Faculty Affairs

Honors and Awards

various photos of School of Medicine faculty award recipients

BACKGROUND

The School of Medicine (SOM), in addition to other groups, honors our University of Kansas Medical Center and Wichita faculty members for excellence in the achievement of our educational and research mission. Teaching Awards fall into two categories. The School of Medicine in conjunction with others recognizes individuals and, sometimes, groups. Three research awards cover the two categories of biomedical sciences and applied sciences. Each category is based on the method used to nominate and select an award candidate and to document research competencies. Mentoring is a new category recognized by the KU School of Medicine as critical if we are to development and retain academic leaders in our faculty who answer the need assist our junior faculty and students in their own career missions. And of course the last category is one that recognizes by life-long titles of recognition, those whom we hold in high esteem for having served as examples of success in their faculty roles for many years. For specific criteria/eligibility, nomination materials required, selection, prize and presentation information, along with the list of past recipients, click the name of the award below.

CATEGORIES

  1. The first category of recognition is for Excellence in Teaching. The Ruth Bohan Teaching Award, from the School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center is the School's highest recognition for teaching. A photo of the Bohan recipients will be placed in the Murphy Administration Building in the hallway outside the 3020 Conference Room and in the area of the Office of Medical Education. The other award comes from the University of Kansas Chancellor.

  2. The second category, also for Excellence in Teaching, is presented by The William T. Kemper Foundation recognizing outstanding KU teachers and advisers. The KU Endowment Association matches funds presented by the William T. Kemper Foundation. Teaching may be defined to include work with students at any level in addition to evidence of superior advising which illustrates the nominee’s concern for student development beyond the normal expectations for advising.

  3. The third type of recognition is awarded by the medical student body and acknowledges outstanding teaching within each of the undergraduate School of Medicine courses and clerkships. Student evaluations are an important element in the selection of these recipients. Eligibility for these awards is thus confined to faculty teaching in courses or clerkships. Trophies with the names of recipients for these awards are located in the departments of their most recent recipients.

    • STUDENT VOICE AWARDS:
      34 awards are given annually:
      • 1st Year Med Student – Outstanding Small Group Leader Award
      • 1st Yr Med Student – Outstanding First Year Course/Teaching
      • 1st Yr Med Student – Overall Best Course
      • 2nd Yr Med Student – Outstanding Small Group Leader Award
      • 2nd Yr Med Student – Outstanding Second Year Course/Teaching
      • 2nd Yr Med Student – Overall Best Course
      • 3rd Yr Medical Students Present one award each to an attending and a resident in the areas of:
        • Ambulatory Medicine
        • Family Practice
        • Internal Medicine
        • OB/GYN
        • Pediatrics
        • Neurology
        • Psychiatry
        • Surgery
        • Geriatrics
      • 3rd Yr Med Students Award for Outstanding 3rd-Yr Clerkship

  4. Excellence in Research recognition is the fourth category. Three awards are given each year, one from the University of Kansas Chancellor and the other two from a KU Endowment Association program established by a Distinguished Professor from The School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center and his wife.

    • CHANCELLORS CLUB RESEARCH AWARD: Details | Recipients
    • CHANCELLORS FACULTY RESEARCH INVESTIGATOR AWARD: Details | Recipients
    • HIGUCHI ENDOWMENT RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENT: Details | Recipients
      • DOLPH SIMONS AWARD IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
      • IRVIN YOUNGBERG AWARD IN APPLIED SCIENCES

  5. Mentoring is a critical component toward the achievement of reaching our goals in the School of Medicine -- “The University of Kansas School of Medicine commits to enhance the quality of life and serve our community through the discovery of knowledge, the education of health professionals and by improving the health of the public.” Faculty not only performs normal duties related to their appointment such as patient care, performing their own research and writing for publication, any administrative responsibilities and of course teaching. In addition, faculty may elect to participate in two mentoring programs: a formal program under the direction of the Academic Societies, and an informal program aimed at mentoring junior faculty. Recognition of their election to participate as mentors in one of the two programs is the basis of this category of recognition. The EVC’s Distinguished Mentoring Award will be inaugurated at the Faculty Retreat, September, 2006.

    • SCHOOL OF MEDICINE EXECUTIVE DEAN'S DISTINGUISHED MENTORING AWARDS
      Details | Recipients
    • RAINBOW AWARD Details | Recipients

  6. The last category is that of University Emeritus and Distinguished Professor titles, both of which are privileged and life long.

    • EMERITUS PROFESSORSHIP
      The title and privileges of professor emeritus may be granted to faculty members who have held full professorial rank for at least ten years and have demonstrated distinguished service. Nominations are initiated by the appropriate department chair and require approval of the Executive Dean and Executive Vice-Chancellor (see Handbook for Emeritus Designation information). [Recipients]
    • UNIVERSITY DISTINGUISHED PROFESSORS
      The title of University Distinguished Professor is a lifetime title that represents the highest honor the University of Kansas can bestow on its faculty, and award that recognizes those making outstanding contributions to teaching, research, and service to their professions and communities. Faculty members who are truly distinguished as scholars may be nominated for a distinguished professorship. In addition to an international reputation for scholarship, individuals should be noted for - commitment to the development of colleagues, students, and the institution - interest in activities outside their major field of scholarship - involvement with the community and State Nominations are usually prepared by colleagues and must be supported by the Executive Dean and Executive Vice Chancellor (see Handbook for Named and University Distinguished Professor information). [Recipients]