The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) awarded two faculty members from the George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) for their outstanding contributions to graduate medical education. Each year, the ACGME accepts nominations from across the country to recognize notable program directors, designated institutional officials, residents, and coordinators for their outstanding work and contributions to graduate medical education through its Awards Program.
Jeffrey Berger, M.D., M.B.A., associate dean for graduate medical education and associate professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at GW SMHS, received the Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award. This award is presented to up to 10 program directors in the U.S. who have fostered innovation and improvement in their residency programs and served as exemplary role models for residents. Berger was nominated for this award by the residents he teaches.
Mary Ottolini, M.D., M.P.H., vice chair of medical education at Children’s National Health System (Children’s National) and professor of pediatrics at GW SMHS, was awarded the Parker J. Palmer Courage to Lead Award. This award is presented each year to up to three designated institutional officials who have demonstrated strong leadership and astute resource management and who have also encouraged innovation and improvement in residency programs and their sponsoring institutions. Under Dr. Ottolini’s leadership trainees, faculty and the educational program at Childrens National have received several national awards.
Parker J. Palmer, for whom these awards are named, is the author of the book “The Courage to Teach,” and his promotion of the concept of "living divided no more" has proven relevant to teaching in academic health centers.
Berger and Ottolini will be honored at a luncheon during the 2016 ACGME Annual Educational Conference, Feb. 25-28, 2016.
