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CAE establishes supplemental instructor award Tom Waldrep, Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) director, recently named Michael Bernard, an M.D./Ph.D. student, was the annual recipient of the Outstanding Supplemental Instructor Award for 2002-2003.  Adrian Grimes, College of Graduate Studies (CGS), and Elizabeth Crigler, COM, were recognized as Distinguished Award recipients. Each winner received a plaque and a cash reward for their efforts.  The remaining nine nominees were Kelan Brown, Sonny Guram, David Forsh, Frances Jones, April Guminsky, Carrie Geisberg from COM, and Mara Lennard, Kevin Orwig, and Severine Patat from CGS.  The 12 peer-nominated supplemental instructors (SI) were recognized by the CAE for going the extra mile in their small-group sessions through innovative teaching styles, practice test development, and exploration of other innovative teaching techniques.  Exemplifying excellence in peer teaching, the SI’s provided quality instruction in biochemistry, physiology, pathology, core curriculum, anatomy, neurology, medical chemistry, and medical pharmacology.  “The CAE is a natural liaison and facilitator of excellence and SIs have a significant role in that process,” Waldrep said. “When SIs, their students, and course professors communicate effectively, students get the help they need. SIs reinforce their own knowledge base while being monetarily compensated and course professors are informed on their students’ weekly progress. This program really is a win-win for MUSC as a whole.”  Bernard, with the CAE for two years, directed small- group sessions in biochemistry and physiology for the COM.  “He explains complicated  information in easy to understand terms,” said Erin Cannington, COM. “He goes the extra step to make sure we gain a complete understanding of the subject matter and is very attentive to our questions.”  Grimes also worked with the CAE over the past two years and directed small-group sessions in core curriculum for students in the CGS.  “He appears to know everything and a few extra facts as well,” said Shai White, CGS.  Crigler worked to facilitate the learning process in pathology for the COM. “She goes beyond the call of duty.  She used outside material that was very helpful,” said Virginia Livesay, COM.  For fall 2003, the CAE provides 40 supplemental small-group instruction sessions, averaging five students per group, for the universities six colleges.  Some of the highlighted courses include gross anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, core curriculum, neuroscience, microbiology and pathology.  “Our supplemental instructors are the heart of the course-specific small-group instruction component of the CAE.  We salute our entire staff of SIs on behalf of the students, faculty and staff of the Medical University,” Waldrep said.   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.