Students and faculty at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences gathered in Ross Hall on April 9 to celebrate one of their own as first-year medical student Sonia Goyal received the 16th Annual Marilyn J. Koering Award.
Goyal, a member of the MD Program Class of 2028, earned the honor after achieving a 96.99% average in the school’s combined anatomical sciences courses. The award is presented each year to the top-performing first-year medical student in anatomy.
“It’s an honor to receive this award today,” Goyal said. “I’m extremely grateful to Dr. Koering’s family, as well as the anatomy department here at GW, who have helped me establish a solid foundation in the anatomical sciences. Dr. Koering’s story is truly inspiring and I look forward to channeling my knowledge into helping to serve my future patients and community.”
The award is named in honor of Marilyn Koering, PhD, professor emeritus of anatomy and cell biology, who taught at GW for 34 years and educated more than 5,000 medical students during her career. Known for her expertise in microscopic anatomy, Koering earned her master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Wisconsin before joining the GW faculty in 1969.
Kenna Peusner, PhD, professor of neurology and rehabilitation medicine at GW SMHS, led the ceremony and welcomed speakers including MaryAnn Stepp, PhD, professor of anatomy and cell biology, and Barbara L. Bass, MD, vice president for health affairs, dean of GW SMHS, and Walter A. Bloedorn Chair of Administrative Medicine.
Speakers reflected not only on Koering’s achievements as a researcher and educator, but also on her resilience. Diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 1986, Koering became one of 30 patients enrolled in an experimental treatment program at the Mayo Clinic. She often incorporated her own medical experience into anatomy lectures and became an advocate for patients participating in clinical trials, speaking publicly and addressing cancer support groups to encourage pharmaceutical companies and federal agencies to make experimental treatments available.
In her remarks, Stepp described Koering as both an exceptional scientist and a gifted teacher. When Stepp first arrived at GW, she was assigned to teach histology and often sat quietly among students in Koering’s class to observe her teaching.
“I learned everything I know about histology from Marilyn, but I also learned a lot about teaching from her,” Stepp said.
One lesson in particular stayed with her: Koering encouraged students studying microscopic slides to look for red blood cells and use them as a reference point.
“She told students to look for red blood cells and then make that into their histologist’s ruler,” Stepp said, noting that a red blood cell measures about eight microns in diameter. “With that you could tell the size of anything.”
Above all, Stepp said, Koering cared deeply about her students, both personally and professionally, and was committed to helping them succeed as physicians.
“She just loved teaching and working with students who were inquisitive and desired to learn,” Stepp said. “She enjoyed what she did.”
