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Gov. Hodges to speak at faculty convocation Editor's note: This article announces the honorees for outstanding clinician. Recipients for teaching excellence, developing scholar and distinguished faculty service have been announced in previous issues of the Catalyst. All honorees will receive their awards at the annual Faculty Convocation on Aug. 27. When S.C. Gov. Jim Hodges steps to the podium to deliver the keynote address at MUSC's Faculty Convocation on Aug. 27, he will be facing a world-class faculty that has gathered to honor some of their own. Joining Hodges at the Harper Student Center will be honorees for outstanding clinician, developing scholar, teaching excellence and distinguished faculty service.   D. Glenburn Askins, M.D., and John M. Kratz, M.D., are this year's recipients for the Outstanding Clinician award. Askins, a 1960 graduate of the College of Medicine, co-founded a private practice in Marion and operated it for many years before joining the MUSC faculty. In 1994, he became a professor of health professions with a joint appointment as clinical professor in the Department of Family Medicine. Two years later, he became director of the College of Health Professions' Physician Assistant Program. Colleagues have praised Askins for his excellent bedside manner, his work with students from the colleges of Medicine and Health Professions, and for his ability to resolve complex clinical problems and develop effective approaches to treatment and therapy. “He can be my doctor anytime,”  said one colleague in support of Askins.  Kratz earned his undergraduate and medical degrees at Indiana University before finishing his training at MUSC and joining the faculty in 1979. He has since emerged as one of the leading cardiac surgeons in the Southeast. Colleagues credit Kratz with pioneering the development of the off pump coronary artery bypass surgery at MUSC and continuing to be at the forefront of this technology. This procedure, while more challenging for the surgeon, is considered easier on the patient.  He is considered a leading authority on pacemakers and gets referrals from across the region for complex pacemaker problems. Kratz is medical director of the cardiothoracic intensive care unit, chairman of the critical care committee and has been involved in a number of other MUSC organizations.  As announced previously, the recipients of the Teaching Excellence awards are Jerome Burik, MHS; Melisa Holmes, M.D., and Kenneth (Jack) Thomas, Ed.D. Developing Scholar honorees are Sergey Krupenko, Ph.D., Esther Forti, Ph.D., R.N. and Michael Wallace, M.D., MPH. Distinguished Faculty Service award recipients are John Manos, M.D., and William Stillway, Ph.D.   Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.