Virella honored with AOA distinguished teaching award
Gabriel Virella, M.D., Ph.D., was awarded the Alpha Omega Alpha Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Award for his contributions to learning in basic sciences. The annual award is given to faculty members of American schools of medicine, in collaboration with the Association of American Medical Colleges, on the review of a committee of their peers chosen by the AOA.
Dr.
Gabriel Virella, professor and vice chair for education in the Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, enjoys the moment while being honored at
a Wickliffe House reception April 15.
For many years, Virella has been the councillor for the MUSC chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha and for three years a member of AOA’s board of directors.
Virella was trained in medicine and pathology in Lisbon, Portugal. He arrived at MUSC in 1975 and was promoted to professor in 1980. His contributions to education are many. He organized a successful fusion of the microbiology and infectious disease courses and served as general coordinator of the combined presentation. In 1999, immunology joined the group and Virella became its director. As early as 1977, he introduced patient-oriented problem solving (POPS) into the pre-clinical curriculum, where it is still used today. POPS packages based upon Virella’s innovative presentations have been introduced into eight other courses, with courses in microbiology/infectious diseases available for national distribution. His leadership in curricular reform earned him the opportunity to direct revision of the entire two-year curriculum.
At MUSC, Virella received the University Teaching Excellence Award and the state Governor’s Distinguished Professor Award. Students awarded him Golden Apple recognition for seven years.
MUSC recognized Virella in 2002 by making him an Honorary Alumnus.
Friday, April 30, 2004
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.