Two legendary mentors at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Arthur H. Aufses Jr., MD, and Nathan Kase, MD, were honored in May by Mount Sinai’s Institute for Medical Education (IME) with Annual Excellence in Teaching Awards that bear their names.
Dr. Aufses and Dr. Kase were cited by IME’s leaders for their legacy to medical education. Dr. Aufses, Professor of Surgery, and Health, Evidence and Policy, retired as Chairman of the Department of Surgery in 1996. Dr. Kase, Dean Emeritus, and Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, and Medicine, served as Dean of the Medical School from 1985 through 1998.
“Despite careers that together span over a century of excellence in clinical care, medical education, and scholarly productivity, Dr. Kase and Dr. Aufses continue to leave their mark on Mount Sinai,” says IME leader David Muller, MD, Dean for Medical Education, and the Marietta and Charles C. Morchand Chair for Medical Education at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “Who could ask for better role models than these two men, each of whom is still teaching, attending conferences, presenting their work, and mentoring countless faculty and trainees?”
Says Reena Karani, MD, MHPE, Director of the Institute for Medical Education and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education and Curricular Affairs: “I can think of no better leaders to honor. They have both been incredible role models, exemplars in guiding my direction as an educator. They set the benchmark for excellence in innovation and teaching.”
The new awards were among 13 given to students, faculty, and house staff by the IME this year at the 11th Annual Excellence in Teaching Awards ceremony on Thursday, May 23, in Hatch Auditorium.
Eileen Scigliano, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, (Hematology and Medical Oncology), received the 2013 Dr. Arthur H. Aufses, Jr. Career Achievement Award in Medical Education. Her Hematology Course has received the highest ratings by students for more than 10 years. Recipients of this award are senior faculty members who have dedicated their careers to becoming leaders in education.
Uma Ayyala, MD, received the 2013 Dr. Nathan Kase Innovations in Medical Education Award for her creative course that prepares medical students for their first year of residency. This award honors students, residents, faculty, and staff who develop unique programs that advance the educational experiences of their students.
Mount Sinai’s innovative new FlexMed program, which will begin accepting half of each new class during their sophomore year of college without having to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) or traditional premed coursework, is an outgrowth of the Humanities and Medicine Program that was started by Dr. Kase.
“I am proud this award was created,” says Dr. Kase. “But far more important is the impact of the Humanities and Medicine Program, and the real satisfaction of seeing how it has influenced the school of medicine.”
Says Dr. Aufses: “My congratulations to Dr. Eileen Scigliano, a superb teacher and role model for our students and house staff. To have my name associated with the IME Career Achievement Award is a singular honor, which I will always cherish. I am most grateful to the leadership of IME.”
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