Academy for Excellence in Education Awards

In support of its mission to promote and celebrate educational excellence, the Academy for Excellence in Education offers multiple awards to recognize outstanding educators across the VUSM and VUMC community. Awards are typically given at the AEE’s Annual Chapman dinner in the Spring.

  • This annual award was established in 2024 to recognize an early career faculty member for positively impacting medical education at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and/or Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The awardee will have demonstrated excellence in at least one aspect of education (teaching, educational leadership, course/curricula/program design, assessment, educational scholarship, or mentorship/coaching) with evidence of a positive impact on learners as well as a commitment to the field of medical education.

    To be eligible for this award, the nominee must:

    • Be a Vanderbilt University School of Medicine or Vanderbilt University Medical Center faculty member at a level no higher than assistant professor at the time of nomination.

    Candidates can be self-nominated or nominated by colleagues.

    • Each nomination submission must include:
      • A nominating letter
      • Two additional letters of support
        • The letters should describe the candidate’s educational activities and their impact as well as the candidate’s commitment to the field of medical education (e.g., professional development activities).
      • A current CV

    2024 Awardee:
    Courtney Tomblinson, MD

  • This annual award was established to recognize a faculty member who has distinguished themselves in innovation in education. Awardees have made special contributions to the educational programs at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM)/Vanderbilt University Medical Center through the development and implementation of effective educational innovation with enduring impact on learners.

    Candidates are nominated by colleagues.

    • Each nomination submission must include: 
      • A nominating letter
      • Two additional letters of support
      • A current CV

    2024 Awardee
    Cody Chastain, MD, FACP, FIDSA

    Past Awardees:

    2022
    Mario Davidson, PhD: Course designed on Statistical Collaboration in the Department of Biostatistics

    2021
    Rachel Goode, MD and Jeffrey Hine, PhD: Development of Innovative e-learning curriculum for Autism Spectrum Disorder

    2020
    Janice Law, MD: Development of Ophthalmology experience in Neurology clerkship

    2019
    Reed Omary, MD, MS and Matthew Walker III, PhD: Development of the Medical Innovators Development Program 

    2018
    Heather Davidson, PhD: Development and Leadership in the Vanderbilt Program on Interprofessional Learning

    2017
    Lori Deitte, MD: Development and implementation of Quiz Time

  • This lifetime achievement award was established to recognize an Academy for Excellence in Education faculty member who has demonstrated sustained outstanding service to the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine/Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUSM/VUMC) Community of Educators. The faculty member must have made substantial contributions to the VUSM/VUMC Community of Educators, however, extramural contributions to the community of educators will also be considered. Only AEE members are eligible for this award.

    Candidates are nominated by fellow AEE members. 

    • Each nomination submission must include:
      • A nominating letter
      • A current CV highlighting contributions to the community of educators

    2024 Awardee:
    Neil Osheroff, PhD

    Past Awardees:

    2023
    Charlene Dewey, MD

    2020
    Geoffrey Fleming, MD

    2019
    Bonnie Miller, MD

    2018
    Don Moore, PhD, FSACME

    2016
    Lillian Nanney, PhD