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Professors recognized for superior instruction Two professors were selected to receive the 2008 MUSC Foundation Teaching Excellence Awards for their accomplishments in mentoring and lecturing.   Marc Judson, M.D., professor of medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine received the Clinician/Professional Educator-Mentor award.   Karen Wager, DBA, associate professor in the Department of Health Administration and Policy received the award for Educator-Lecturer.   Judson and Wager will be formally recognized in August during the fall convocation. Each professor will received $3,000, a citation, and a special medallion to be worn with their academic regalia at all future graduations.   “Nominated by their peers and students, these professors are judged against stringent standards established by the university. These recipients deserve 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,” said Valerie T. West, Ed.D. associate provost for education and student life. Marc Judson, M.D. Judson was selected as the Educator-Mentor Award in the Clinical/Professional category. Among his areas of expertise, Judson is an international authority on sarcoidosis, an immune system disorder that can cause lumps to form in any organ, but more commonly the lungs and lymph nodes.   Marc Judson   Judson is the director of the MUSC Sarcoidosis Center, which is one of the largest such clinics in the country. He has obtained two National Institutes of Health grants in sarcoidosis and conducted numerous trials concerning the etiology, epidemiology and treatment of sarcoidosis; and he has authored numerous papers on the disorder. Judson’s other interests include non-invasive pulmonary aspergillus disease and lung transplantation.   Judson, who earned his medical degree at Vanderbilt, came to MUSC in 1989 from the VA hospital in Columbia. Board certified in pulmonary disease and critical care, he attained full professorship in 2002.   “Marc brings an undiluted and genuine passion for scholarship to every forum. His dynamism and energy are palpable and constant,” wrote Qanta Ahmed, M.D., associate professor of medicine and associate director of MUSC’s Sleep Center, in her nomination of Judson. “Learning occurs as a matter of dialogue with Marc, whether between fellows of faculty, between attending colleagues or when witnessing the exchange between Marc and his patients. …Among MUSC faculty, he is without question the jewel in the crown. His brilliance is truly illuminating and we are privileged to find ourselves within his blaze. Though many are destined to remain forever no more than polished Sophists, he is our very own American Socrates.” Karen Wager, DBA Wager was selected to receive this year’s Educator-Lecturer Award. An expert on health information, management systems and informatics, Wager has authored numerous articles for academic, medical and pro-fessional journals and books; and she is a sought-after lecturer on topics that also include inter-professional health education, health records privacy laws, and health administration.   Karen Wager   A University of Pittsburgh graduate, Wager received her master's degree in health administration and health informatics administration from MUSC in 1988. She earned her Doctor of Business Administration degree with a focus on information systems from the University of Sarasota. Since being at MUSC in the College of Health Professions (CHP), Wager directed the master’s health administration (MHA) and undergraduate health information administration programs. “I think of Karen as an outstanding educator that I am proud to call colleague,” wrote James Zoller, Ph.D., associate professor and CHP interim chair, in his nomination of Wager. “She has the admiration and respect of her students, her fellow faculty members, and her professional colleagues.”   “Well-planned course sessions, exceptional organization, effective delivery style, both in person and on the web; trust and credibility with students, innovative approaches, and commitment to excellence—all of these characteristics make Karen Wager a superb educator and an inspiration to all of us,” wrote Andrea White, Ph.D., associate professor and MHA program director.   “Dr. Wager is an extraordinary teacher. She has extensive knowledge of the academic and practitioner aspects and issues of health information technology and management,” wrote West. “She is adept at bringing together the latest research in the field and her experiences in working on clinical information systems initiatives as a member of the MUSC Information Systems department. ... She is a terrific example of teaching excellence.”       Friday, May 16, 2008 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.