Four MUSC professors were selected to receive the 2009 MUSC Foundation Teaching Excellence Award for their extraordinary accomplishments and teaching methods.
 
Jennie Ariail, Ph.D.; Library Science and Informatics; Abby Swanson Kazley, Ph.D., Health Administration Policy; Joseph Romagnuolo, M.D., Department of Medicine; and Andrea White, Ph.D., College of Health Professions (CHP), will receive their awards, which includes $3,000, during the Faculty Convocation in August.

"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," said Darlene Shaw, Ph.D.
Associate Provost for Education and Student Life.

Jennie Ariail, Ph.D.
Ariail 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. Jennie Ariail

In her nomination by Tom Smith, Ph.D., associate professor in the Center for Academic Writing Excellence, Ariail is described as “a devoted teacher and a model of academic mentoring for students, faculty and staff. She is deeply involved with the education mission of all colleges on campus, serving daily in support of students through individual academic counseling and support. ... [She] has been the key figure in the development of MUSC’s highly effective certifying examination review resources.”
 
The former English professor and director of the University of South Carolina Writing Center in Columbia, Ariail joined MUSC in 1997 where she has served as associate director of the Center for Academic Excellence and the Writing Center. Currently the associate director of the Center for Academic Excellence, she has helped enhance students’ writing abilities; and understand medical rhetoric, and gain a grasp for ethical considerations.
 
An associate professor, Ariail graduated from Columbia College with an English degree and received her master’s degree in English with an emphasis in Renaissance literature from the University of Georgia. From the University of South Carolina, Ariail earned her doctorate, having selected composition and rhetoric as her focus.

Joseph Romagnuolo, M.D.
Romagnuolo 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. Joseph Romagnuolo

Director for Clinical Research and an associate professor of medicine, Romagnuolo was nominated for his teaching skills not only for medical students and staff, but also for graduate interns in the Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Epidemiology, for which he holds a secondary faculty appointment.
 
“His knowledge base, teaching skills and ability to combine endoscopy with biometry are highly valued by [MUSC’s GI/Hepatology division and Digestive Disease Center],” said Romagnuolo’s supervisor, K. Mark Payne, M.D., director of gastroenterology and hepatology, in his nomination.
 
“Dr. Romagnuolo is a natural teacher demonstrating his enthusiasm to teach and his willingness to readily share his knowledge,” wrote Brenda Ferguson, R.N., DDC clinical nurse and cancer coordinator. Despite his superior intellect, “he is able to communicate with each level of individual. Dr. Romagnuolo is personable with a great sense of humor,” and is accessible.
 
Romagnuolo joined MUSC as an associate professor in 2004, having had a cross-appointment with the University of Calgary, Community Health Sciences, in Canada from 2001-2004.
 
After earning a degree in biochemistry and his medical degree from the University of Toronto, Romagnuolo trained and interned in internal medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital and The Toronto Hospital; then gained his epidemiology training certification from McGill University in Montreal. A highly achieving Canadian clinician and researcher, Romagnuolo also earned MUSC’s Outstanding Clinical Faculty honors during the Department of Medicine’s Medical Research Day in 2007. He is a fellow of both the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and American Gastroenterological Association.

Abby Swanson Kazley, Ph.D.
Kazley will receive the Educator-Mentor Award in the Developing Teacher category for her teaching skills and the way in which she engaged students through interaction and support.
 
Dr. Abby Swanson Kazley

In her nomination, CHP student Ashleigh Anderson praised Kazley for having “encouraged questions and welcomed group discussion in order for us to air our opinions and debate several hot topics. ...Dr. Kazley made herself available to us for help not only with her class, but with any questions we have had about the program, the industry and personal issues. ... She did more than just lecture ... ; ... she found creative ways to help us learn the concepts such as case studies, jeopardy games and guest speakers.” Kazley is a model professor for her inspiration, motivation and guidance for future health care leaders, her nominators said.
 
In 2006, Kazley was appointed associate professor in CHP’s Master of Health Administration (MHA) where her courses include health care management, strategic management, and marketing. She also has been named CHP’s Developing Scholar of the Year for 2008-2009. Since 2007, she has been a member of MUSC’s Center for Health Economics and Policy Studies.
 
Kazley earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s of teaching degree from the University of Virginia. From the Virginia Commonwealth University, she earned her doctorate in Health Services Organization and Research, specializing in electronic medical records in acute care hospitals.

Andrea White, Ph.D.
White will receive the Educator-Lecturer Award for having had “tremendous impact” on the individuals’ professional and academic development.
 
Dr. Andrea White

“In the classroom, I have never had such a dedicated individual who really cares about what they teach,” wrote one of her students, Robert Silverstein, in a nomination. “Dr. White makes class enjoyable, while at the same time, making sure we are developing the skills we need to be successful professionals. ...Outside the regular class times, Dr. White is always available to discuss coursework, past lectures or other areas of interest to her students.”
 
Early in her career, White was a teacher in public and private schools in Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Charlotte. She is now director of CHP’s MHA and Health Administration and Policy programs director. White joined MUSC in 1987 as an assistant professor, associate professor and instructor in MUSC’s health information management and MHA programs. She has served as the utilization review coordinator for Health Information Services, and is a member of numerous academic and professional health care organizations. She also served as a member of several key Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education committees.
 
White received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Maryland; and a bachelor’s degree in Health Information Administration from MUSC, where she also earned her master’s in Health Science Administration. At USC, she earned her doctorate in Higher Education Administration.

Friday, May 15, 2009