Recognizing Excellence in Medical Education
The Faculty of Medicine paid tribute to some of its outstanding teachers and gave special recognition to Dean Catharine Whiteside’s leadership at the Faculty’s annual Education Achievement Celebration last week.
The Education Achievement Celebration is an annual awards ceremony recognizing sustained excellence in categories such as teaching, mentorship and advocacy, course development, innovation and leadership within the various Education Portfolios.
The Vice Deans of Education changed the title of the event’s keynote address to name it in the honor of Dean Catharine Isobel Whiteside.
At the opening of the awards ceremony, Deputy Dean Sarita Verma bestowed the dedication of the Annual Education Achievement Keynote Address in recognition of Dean Whiteside’s commitment to excellence in teaching, education and leadership within the Faculty of Medicine.
“Going forward, the Keynote will be entitled as: C. I. Whiteside Education Achievement Keynote Address,” said Verma, who emceed the event. “This recognition is significant as it marks the final year of Professor Whiteside’s term as Dean in the Faculty of Medicine. Her commitment to and support of the Faculty has been profound and she leaves a wonderful legacy.
“It is our honour to bestow the dedication of the Annual Education Achievement Keynote Address in recognition of her sustained passion for education and for nurturing and creating a culture of value for the academic mission across the Faculty of Medicine.”
The Faculty held its first Education Day in 2003. At the time, Professor Whiteside was a member of the Education Vice Deans group, who had decided it was critically important to ensure Faculty-wide recognition of excellence and leadership in education. The Faculty has hosted the celebration annually since 2007.
“Valuing academic performance is absolutely necessary to create a positive teaching and learning environment for both Faculty and students,” said Professor Whiteside. “I was thrilled to be invited to give the keynote address this year and to have it named in my honour — it is a prestigious and very meaningful recognition as I complete this final year as Dean of Medicine.”
More than 40 members from across the Faculty received awards and special commendations at the event.
Among the recipients was Paul Cantarutti, a Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and Chief of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Southlake Regional Health Centre. The Faculty recognized his contributions to medical education as co-recipient with Jane Philpott (a Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, and Chief of Family Medicine at Markham Stouffville Hospital), for the Excellence in Community-Based Teaching Award.
“One element of medical education resonates with everyone: passion,” said Cantarutti. “If you are passionate about what you are trying to teach, everyone becomes motivated and excited about what they are learning.”
Another award recipient was Martha Brown, a Professor in the Departments of Molecular Genetics, and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, for Excellence in Undergraduate Laboratory Teaching in Life Sciences Award.
Honoured for her sustained excellence in the teaching, coordination and/or development of MGY 379 – Microbiology laboratory, Brown said: "I see my role as a guide to lead students on a discovery tour of the subject, with courses that are engaging and challenging, enabling the students to feel the excitement of discovery. The reward comes in sensing that excitement."
View photos of the 12th Annual Faculty of Medicine Education Achievement Celebration held Tuesday May 13, 2013 at Hart House.
View a list of awardees.
