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Professors recognized for superior instruction Four MUSC professors were selected to receive the 2007 MUSC Foundation Teaching Excellence Awards for their extraordinary accomplishments and teaching methods.   David C. Morrisette, Ph.D., College of Health Professions; Sandra S. Garner, PharmD, colleges of Pharmacy and Medicine; Charles Ellis Jr, Ph.D., College of Health Professions; and Nancy Duffy, R.N., College of Nursing, will receive their awards at the Faculty Convocation Aug. 21. Each of these recipients deserves our highest praise for the contributions they have made and continue to make to our educational mission. They serve as role models for all of us who are fortunate enough to spend our careers in academia. It is clear they are also role models for the scores of individuals they have motivated, enlightened, and prepared to be outstanding health professionals. We are indeed fortunate to have them among us. The recipients will be formally recognized in August at Fall Convocation, and each will receive a cash award of $3,000 and a certificate. In honor of their accomplishments and as a continual recognition of their contributions, they will also receive  a medallion to be worn with their academic regalia at all future graduations. Valerie T. West, Ed.D. Associate Provost for Education and Student Life David C. Morrisette, Ph.D., P.T. Morrisette will receive the Educator-Mentor Award in the Scholarship/Academic category for teaching excellence in non-traditional roles with individuals or small groups, specifically those who teach, mentor, or serve as role models for students in their scholarly or academic development.   Dr. David Morrisette Morrisette previously was honored with the 2005 Butch Buchanan Clinical Excellence Award by the South Carolina Chapter of the Physical Therapy Association. Having earned his Doctor of Philosophy from MUSC, Morrisette has been with the MUSC Physical Therapy Education program since 1988.   Morrisette is certified in manual physical therapy and CPR, he is a certified athletic trainer, an orthopaedic clinical specialist, and a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists.   A physical therapist  for more than 20 years, Morrisette specializes in musculoskeletal disorders. “His philosophy is that he cannot effectively teach if he does not maintain the highest clinical standard,” wrote Physical Therapy Educational Director Kathleen Cegles. “He provides excellent student-oriented education by encouraging intellectual curiosity and student follow-up using evidence-based, therapeutic interventions.”   “Dave is humble about the things he does for his students,” wrote a student. “We could never do enough to thank him for his efforts, dedication, and determination; however, the greatest thing about him is that he does not expect us to.”   A graduate of Marshall University with a degree in education, Morrisette earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from West Virginia University. Sandra S. Garner, PharmD Garner will receive the Educator-Mentor Award in the Clinical/Professional category for teaching excellence in non-traditional roles with individuals or small groups, specifically those who teach, mentor,or serve as role models for students in their clinical and professional development.   Dr. Sandra Garner The chair of the Curriculum Committee at MUSC, Garner is director of the Advanced Clinical Track for the Doctor of Pharmacy program, and co-founder and mentor for the Academician Preparation Program for pharmacy residents.   Since the early 1990s, Garner has taught at MUSC’s College of Pharmacy and the College of Medicine. She also is clinical specialist in pediatrics in MUSC’s Children’s Hospital.   As a participant in the Center for Medication Safety (CMS) of the College of Pharmacy, Garner said her involvement in CMS has primarily been to develop presentations related to pediatric medication safety. “The students will then join me in discussions with various community groups. This has provided an excellent opportunity to serve as a mentor and to foster pharmacy student’s desire to contribute to the community,” she said.   “Dr. Garner has been more than willing to take on roles outside her regular duties in order to help students learn more about her specific area of expertise,” said student Dana Sox in nominating her. “She has gone out of her way to work on projects for the Center of Medication Safety with me and has been willing to open up many learning opportunities, including offering outside shadowing experience. She works very well with students and is very deserving of this award.”   In addition to the Educator-Mentor Award, Garner was nominated to be a fellow for the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. “Not every student sees the relevance of pediatric pharmacy to their future careers, much less neonatal pharmacy,” Garner said. “Therefore, when I serve as a preceptor on clinical rotations or facilitate small group discussions, I feel it is important to understand the student’s goals for the experience.”   A graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, with a bachelor degree in pharmacy, she received her PharmD from MUSC, and also secured a fellowship in Pediatric Pharmaco-therapy and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists-accredited resi-dency in Pediatric Pharmacotherapy. Charles Ellis Jr., Ph.D. Ellis will receive the Developing Teacher Award for his willingness to spend extra time with students to prepare them for exams, and for his engaging and approachable nature.   Dr. Charles Ellis In describing his philosophy on teaching, Ellis wrote: “… My graduate mentor once noted that ‘although the role of the instructor is to encourage discussion by and on behalf of the student primarily, a side benefit is the refining and improvement of the instructor’s teaching and methods.’ Ideally then, the role of the instructor is to not only report the most current theories, models and techniques relevant to their profession, but also to create learning environments that engage students and facilitate discussions that call into question the very nature, practicality and clinical application of the same theories, models and techniques being presented.”   Since 2005, Ellis has been an assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Science at MUSC. He is clinically certified and licensed in speech language pathology.   “Dr. Ellis spent extra hours giving review sessions, creating study guides, and staying extra hours in his office to prepare students for comprehensive exams,” said student Kimberly Parr. “He was always available for his students. He is the only teacher I have had in my life whom I felt comfortable calling before exams to have him further explain concepts.”   To facilitate the completion of course assignments and note-taking, Ellis has utilized multi-media teaching formats. He also is creating a “hybrid course format” for  the Communication Sciences and Disorders program that includes online lectures and case-based assignments.   “He is a superior teacher. … He uses problem-based learning, integrates extensive clinical experience, and advises and mentors with sensitivity,” wrote Jennifer Horner, Ph.D., Rehabilitation Science Department.   A graduate of the University of Georgia with undergraduate and graduate degrees in communication sciences and disorders, Ellis earned his Doctor of Philosphy in rehabilitation science from the University of Florida. Nancy Duffy, R.N. Duffy will receive the Educator-Lecturer Award for bringing “learning to life,” her encourage-ment of students to achieve,  and her ability to make her classes enjoyable and educational.   Nancy Duffy, R.N. The award-winning nurse previously was named the Charleston Organization of Nurse Leaders ‘Nurse of the Year for 2007.’ Duffy also has won the Outstanding Teaching Award for the College of Nursing Baccalaureate Program, and is a three-time winner of The College of Nursing Golden Lamp Award, that is selected by students.   “She exemplifies the integrity and passion that is needed to encourage and teach students in such an accelerated program,” said Lynn DiVecchio, an undergraduate nursing student and one of four students nominating. “I challenge anyone to find a more charismatic and caring professor who can make the hardest concept clear and understandable.”   “She makes class funny and interesting, and at the end you realize you have learned a great deal,” wrote student Stephanie Emerson.   Duffy earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Bradley University, and then obtained her master’s degree in nursing from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.   She started her teaching career in 1990 at the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, and since 2004 has been an instructor at MUSC’s College of Nursing.   “I believe that education should be enjoyed, so the tone in my classroom is focused, but also fun and engaging. My classes use critical thinking questions and short case studies that pose simple and complex  clinical problems,” she said. “If a student’s response lacks depth or insight, I value the input and encourage more reflection. This guided teaching-learning exchange engages the student in an active learning process and encourages respect for a diversity of opinion.”   In addition to her instructing and mentoring, Duffy chairs the Undergraduate Program Committee at the College of Nursing. She also is chair-elect for the Faculty Senate, Education and Communication Committee, and is a member of the Admission, Progression and Graduation Committee. Friday, May 18, 2007 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 catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.