A faculty member in KU School of Medicine-Wichita’s Department of Pediatrics took home the pinnacle prize this month from A Grand Affair, a formal event that celebrates the work of faculty, staff, resident physicians and medical students at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.

Associate Professor Deborah Alliston, M.D., M.Ed. – described as “tireless and selfless” by Brian Pate, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics – received the Rainbow Award during the annual event Jan. 17 at the Kansas City Convention Center.

While the award is presented to the faculty member who exemplifies professionalism in medicine and the willingness and capacity to mentor others, that’s not the only reason it’s prestigious. It’s also a coveted award because it’s voted on by the students.

Each year, medical students nominate physicians who’ve impacted their educational experience and given them an example of excellence in the field of medicine. Nominations are submitted by students, and honorees are selected by students. The students nominate five finalists and then vote for the ultimate Rainbow Award recipient.

"I remember being a medical student at A Grand Affair decades ago and watching the awards with awe,” said Alliston, a KU School of Medicine-Wichita alumna. “I wouldn't let myself dream about receiving the Rainbow Award because it was so prestigious, but I knew that I wanted to be an excellent educator who impacted the next generation of future physicians. To know that students value my input as demonstrated by this award is very meaningful to me, and certainly the highest professional honor I have received!”

Alliston, who said she felt “incredibly honored” to receive the award and privileged to work with medical students, credited the students for inspiring her.

“I am inspired by their drive for excellence, their goal to serve humanity with compassion, and their engagement in outreach and advocacy within the community,” she said. “I go to Problem-Based Learning sessions, see them working so hard together with so much camaraderie and am so grateful because I know that our future physicians will take excellent care of the next generation.”

Pate said he wasn’t surprised to hear Alliston’s comments upon receiving her award. Rather than talking about herself, she acknowledged her respect for the students, he said, calling her “an academic class act.” Alliston also received an award for Outstanding PBL Facilitator.

“For me, she is a role model of what it looks like to express the sincere joy, passion and dedication of caring for individual children through the education of those that will eventually care for children,” Pate said.

This is the second time a KU School of Medicine-Wichita faculty member has received the Rainbow Award during A Grand Affair, an annual event now in its 28th year that is presented by KU School of Medicine and its Medical Student Assembly. Recipients of the Rainbow Award, which was established in 1998-99, also include Garold Minns, M.D., dean emeritus at KU School of Medicine-Wichita, along with Annabel Mancillas, M.D.; Laurel Witt, M.D.; and Joseph LeMaster, M.D., all KU School of Medicine-Wichita alumni.

“We were grateful for the opportunity to come together as one school to celebrate the outstanding efforts of our students, residents, faculty and staff during this academic year,” said Laura Tatpati, M.D., dean of KU School of Medicine-Wichita. “The Wichita campus was especially proud to see our own Dr. Deborah Alliston join the distinguished group of faculty who have received the Rainbow Award, which honors faculty who exemplify the highest standards of professionalism in medicine. We also thank the tri-campus Medical Student Assembly for putting on another fantastic event with over 1,300 attendees.”

There are about 990 resident physicians across the three KU School of Medicine campuses. Carlin Hill, D.O., fourth-year surgery resident, was among six resident physicians in KU School of Medicine-Wichita programs receiving an award for Outstanding Resident, and she also was an Excellence in Residency finalist. Craig Sudbeck, M.D., was honored as Outstanding Attending in Surgery. An alumnus of the General Surgery Residency Program at KU School of Medicine-Wichita, Sudbeck now practices at Kansas Surgical Consultants in Wichita.

“We are extremely proud of this year’s recipients and their dedication to medical student and resident education,” said Brett Grizzell, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Surgery at KU School of Medicine-Wichita. “Dr. Sudbeck and Dr. Hill exemplify the traits that make the program successful.”

Samuel Ofei-Dodoo, Ph.D., MPA, M.A., CPH, GCPH, CNPM, assistant dean of medical education at KU School of Medicine-Wichita and associate professor in the departments of Internal Medicine and Population Health, received The Bridge Award, an award at A Grand Affair honoring a faculty or staff member who has made a significant impact on the journey of a medical student.

“I was honored to receive an award recognizing faculty and staff who help students navigate the challenges of medical school,” he said. “Medicine is tough, and students face many pressures, so I strive to be a friend and ally – a safe space where they can be vulnerable. A student shared that during a difficult time, they came to my office to cry and later said I was the first person they thought of after receiving bad news. I am deeply grateful to the students who nominated me.”

Other faculty members recognized include Paul Uhlig, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics, who received the Sunflower Award honoring an outstanding part-time physician who exemplifies the attributes of excellence and professionalism in medicine and has generously given their time, experience and knowledge to medical students. Joshua Gaede, M.D., volunteer clinical assistant professor in the Department of Family & Community Medicine who works at AmberMed in Hoxie, received the Ad Astra Award honoring outstanding volunteer physicians who welcome medical students into their communities and practices, allowing them to learn from a variety of clinical experiences. Lynn Fisher, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Family & Community Medicine, received the Above and Beyond Award honoring a professor who has invested greatly in student education outside the lecture hall.

Akinlolu Ojo, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, executive dean of KU School of Medicine, congratulated all of the award recipients at A Grand Affair and expressed his gratitude for their thoughtful engagement “contributing to an environment where all may thrive.”

“Your service and dedication to patients, learners and the future health of Kansas ensures we continue to operate an exceptional medical education program,” he said.

Award recipients include:

Above and Beyond Award

• Lynn Fisher, M.D., student alumnus, associate professor, Family & Community Medicine

Outstanding CBCL Facilitator

• Gerard Brungardt, M.D., professor, Internal Medicine

Rainbow Award & Outstanding PBL Facilitator

• Deborah Alliston, M.D., student alumna, resident alumna, clinical associate professor, Pediatrics

Outstanding Lecturer & Outstanding Attending-Family Medicine & Community Health

• Laurel Witt, M.D., student alumna                        

Outstanding CBCL Facilitator

• Justin Moore, M.D., student alumnus, resident alumnus, education associate professor, director of nutrition and metabolism education, Internal Medicine

• Amanda Rhyne, M.D., student alumna, resident alumna

Outstanding PBL Facilitator

• Scott Owings, student alumnus, resident alumnus

• Cassie Scripter, M.D., student alumna, resident alumna (Smoky Hill), assistant professor, Family & Community Medicine

Outstanding Attending

• Amy Feldkamp, M.D., resident alumna, assistant professor, Family & Community Medicine                        
• Richard Muraga, M.D., resident alumnus, assistant professor, Internal Medicine
• Alexandra Meloccaro, M.D., student alumna, resident alumna, clinical assistant professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Bassem El-Nabbout, M.D., volunteer clinical assistant professor, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
• Sid Sivamurthy, M.D., resident alumnus, associate professor, Pediatrics
• Austin Armstrong, M.D., student alumnus, resident alumnus, clinical assistant professor, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
• Alex Burnett, M.D., student alumnus
• Stepheny Berry, M.D., student alumnus
• Craig Sudbeck, M.D., resident alumnus, volunteer clinical instructor, Surgery

Outstanding Resident

• Annie Heck, D.O., resident, Family & Community Medicine
• Heidi Koschwanez, M.D., student alumna, resident, Internal Medicine
• Brooke Gardner, D.O., resident, Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Catherine Duncan, M.D., resident, Pediatrics
• David Matuszewski, M.D., resident, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
• Carlin Hill, D.O., resident, Surgery

Ad Astra Award

• Joshua Gaede, M.D., volunteer clinical assistant professor, Family & Community Medicine

Sunflower Award

• Paul Uhlig, M.D., associate professor, Pediatrics

The Bridge Award

• Samuel Ofei-Dodoo, Ph.D., MPA, M.A., CPH, GCPH, CNPM, assistant dean of medical education, associate professor, Internal Medicine and Population Health

See the complete list of award winners and finalists from A Grand Affair.