University of Virginia Health System

The David A. Harrison
Distinguished Educator Award

Given annually by the Academy of Distinguished Educators, The David A. Harrison Distinguished Educator Award is the School of Medicine's most prestigious teaching award, reserved for its most distinguished teachers, recognizing a lifetime of excellence in teaching.

Award:  $10,000/year for 5 years, a gift, membership in the Academy of Distinguished Educators, and the title, The David A. Harrison Distinguished Educator, for life.

Timeline: A call for nominations will be sent by the Academy of Distinguished Educators on February 1; nomination packages are due May 1; a decision by the selection committee will be made by July 1; the award will be announced at the September faculty meeting.

Who is eligible?  All fulltime SOM Associate or full Professors with a minimum of 10 years of sustained excellence at UVa in teaching and mentoring medical students, housestaff, postdoctoral fellows, or biomedical sciences graduate students.

Who may nominate?  Any fulltime UVa SOM faculty member at Associate Professor level or higher who is familiar with the nominee's "lifetime of excellence in teaching."

The nomination package should include:

• an up-to-date curriculum vitae which includes a detailed teaching summary (a Teaching Portfolio will be accepted but is NOT required)
• a nominating letter not to exceed three pages that focuses on the nominee's teaching, mentoring, and educational activities
• five letters of support from peers, students/trainees (past or present), and course directors who can speak to the nominee's sustained lifetime commitment to teaching

Where to submit it:  Please send an original and eight copies of the nomination package marked "HARRISON AWARD" to:  ADE, c/o Box 800796, School of Medicine or deliver them to: 3131 McKim by 5:00 p.m. Monday, August 3, 2009. 

Questions?  Contact Elizabeth Hale Graham (eg4e@virginia.edu; 924-8497)

Selection Committee:  The committee will include the Academy of Distinguished Educators Co-Chairs, previous Harrison Award recipients, and the Senior Associate Dean for Education.