Faculty Highlight: DOM’s Vice Chair for Education Jerry Donowitz Receives All-University Teaching Award
Gerald R. Donowitz, MD
FACULTY HIGHLIGHT:
DOM’s Vice Chair for Education Jerry Donowitz Receives All-University Teaching Award
Gerald R. Donowitz, MD, the Edward W. Hook Professor of Infectious Diseases and International Health, the Department of Medicine’s Vice Chair for Education, and director of DOM’s Graduate Medical Education program, was one of nine University of Virginia faculty members to receive a 2015 All-University Teaching Award, at a dinner in Alumni Hall in April.
Dr. Donowitz receives All-University Teaching Award from Senior Vice Provost J. Milton Adams at a dinner on April 22, 2015.
Mitchell Rosner, MD, chair of the Department of Medicine, commented: “This is UVA’s highest recognition for teaching accomplishments, and acknowledges Dr. Donowitz’s enduring contributions to the education of more than 2000 clinical and research trainees over the last 15 years. We are grateful for his efforts to make the Department’s graduate education programs some of the best in the nation.” In accepting the award, Dr. Donowitz said: “It is the chance to make someone a better physician than they would have been had they not been with you in some instance, or in some clinical situation, that is the most gratifying part of teaching.”
A total of 14 UVA professors and five graduate instructors received teaching awards at the ceremony, in recognition of their impact not only on students but also on the colleagues who nominated them.
What his nominator said: “Dr. Donowitz is eminently deserving of this recognition for his singular role in shaping the education of medical residents and interns over the last 15 years. He sets an example to us all through his commitment to excellence and incredible work ethic.”
What his colleague said: “Instead of discussing patients in a room away from the inpatient ward, Jerry leads his team throughout the hospital to discuss and examine all patients on his team. This ‘real-time’ teaching allows learners to connect a patient to previous textbook learning.”
What his student said: “The most important lesson he taught me was to not fear the system, to understand that we are all here with the common goal of helping the patient, and that open discussion between team members, from the newest intern fresh out of medical school to the seasoned veteran physician, is critical to the medical profession.”
What his son, Jeff Donowitz, MD, said: “We are very proud of him.”