CMU College of Medicine hosts annual faculty awards ceremony

The CMU College of Medicine recently held an awards ceremony to recognize esteemed faculty members who made a significant contribution to academic excellence in the last year.  Special acknowledgments were given to the Initial Clinical Experience (I.C.E.) preceptors, new Academy of Medical Educator members, recently promoted faculty members and to Wendy Biggs, M.D. who received the Dr. George E. and Mona Kikano Leadership in Medical Education Award during the 2024 College of Medicine Commencement.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the D and C Mridha Spirit of Teaching Award. This award honors faculty members who combine outstanding accomplishments and effective teaching, recognizes the contributions of faculty members who strive to maintain and enhance the reputation of the college as an outstanding medical school and rewards faculty who inspire, stimulate, challenge and motivate their students.

Michael D. Elftman, Ph.D., is the recipient of the 2024 D and C Mridha Spirit of Teaching Award.  Elftman has been an assistant professor with the College of Medicine since 2017.  He has accumulated a strong expertise in microbiology and immunology concepts and strives to remain up to date with the newest knowledge to continuously improve the material he presents.  Students recognize his efforts to encourage thinking, inquiry and critical reasoning.  Elftman is passionate about teaching and demonstrates compassion, fairness and professionalism as he fosters a highly academic and encouraging environment for the medical students.  He has served in many leadership roles including chair of the College’s Curriculum Committee and the Jack Furnari Memorial Scholarship Committee as well as course director for the Foundational Science of Medicine A course and secretary of the CMU Graduate Curriculum Committee.

Also presented during the ceremony were the Excellence in Teaching Awards which recognize College of Medicine faculty members who demonstrate instructional expertise and exemplary teaching and the Excellence in Research Award which recognizes outstanding research initiatives from College of Medicine faculty members.  Recipients of these awards have shown great dedication to the mission, vision and values of the College.

• Excellence in Teaching in Foundational Sciences recipient:  Jesse Bakke, Ph.D.
• Excellence in Teaching in Medical Sciences recipient:  Olivia Thomas, M.D.
• Excellence in Teaching in Pediatric Sciences recipient:  Roland Chu, M.D.
• Excellence in Teaching in Surgical Sciences recipient:  Therese Mead, D.O.
• Excellence in Teaching as a Volunteer Community Educator recipients: 
  • John Lieberman, D.O.
  • Prem B. Kissoondial, M.D.
  • Barry J. Scofield, M.D.
  • John Sharpe, M.D.
  • Cara Leahy, D.O.
• Excellence in Research recipients:
  • Eric Petersen, Ph.D.
  • Eishi Asano, M.D., Ph. D.