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Distinguished Service Award

The award was established by the School of Medicine Recognitions Committee on behalf of the Dean to recognize faculty members who have demonstrated outstanding service and citizenship to the Emory community and/or Atlanta and surrounding region.

Nomination Process

One award will be given in each of the following categories: 

  • Junior Faculty Member (Instructor or Assistant Professor as of September 1, 2023)
  • Senior Faculty Member (Associate Professor or Professor as of September 1, 2023)

Deadline

Nominations will be accepted through July 10, 2023.

Eligibility

All faculty with a primary appointment in the Emory University School of Medicine. The faculty member’s rank at the time of nomination will determine the category in which they are eligible. Those who have received this award in the past three years are not eligible.

Nominations

Faculty must be nominated by a faculty or a staff member of Emory University, Emory Healthcare, or an Emory affiliate. The nomination should consist of a concise narrative (500 words or less) describing the outstanding service or citizenship contributions. Up to two additional letters of support (500 words or less) from internal or external individuals or organizations may also be submitted. Nominations should emphasize specific aspects of service or citizenship. Outstanding examples of service and citizenship can include, but are not limited to:

  • Providing important administrative service to the Emory community despite heavy clinical, research or teaching demands
  • Engaging in service to the community via public education programs or campaigns, volunteerism, or non-profit organizations
  • Demonstrating exemplary service to colleagues, patients, learners, the public, and/or underserved populations
  • Developing new or innovative programs as recognized by the University or School of Medicine
  • Participating in and leading University, School of Medicine, or hospital/clinic-wide committees

Submission

Must use the online Award Nomination Form and include the following:

  • Nominating letter (500 words or less)
  • Optional materials: Up to two letters of support (500 words or less) from internal or external individuals or organizations

Decision

Will be made by the School of Medicine Recognitions Committee and approved by the Dean.

Award

Recipients of the Emory School of Medicine Distinguished Service Award will be announced and honored during the Celebration of Faculty Eminence.

Questions should be directed to SOM Office of Faculty Academic Affairs and Professional Development at somfde@emory.edu. 

2022 Winners Spotlight

Warren Perry Emergency Medicine

“Dr. Perry’s work demonstrates a dedication to caring for special populations. During his second year as faculty, he developed and led the COVID-19 monoclonal antibody infusion protocol for the EUH ED which resulted in the infusion of over 300 Emory patients across EUH-Clifton and EUH-Midtown including transplant and oncology patients. Dr. Perry’s protocol was so successful that it was adopted by another hospital emergency department in our healthcare system. In the same vein of caring for special populations, Dr. Perry leads the Geriatric Emergency Department (GED) initiative at EUH. His leadership and service has resulted in the EUH ED becoming one of the first hospitals in Georgia with geriatric ED accreditation.”

Warren Perry headshot

Sarah Johnson Medicine

“Managing an already resource-strapped dialysis unit at Grady during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates Dr. Johnson’s commitment to service. With the help of the Infectious Disease Department and Hospital Epidemiology, Dr. Johnson initiated a screening program to ferret out COVID-19-positive patients in the outpatient dialysis unit. At the time, help was limited so Dr. Johnson performed screenings herself and personally vaccinated many undocumented patients. Limiting the spread of the virus in a population that lives and works in close proximity, in a population reliant on public transportation and especially vulnerable to starvation has been especially challenging. By providing masks, practicing social distancing, and following other CDC guidelines, Dr. Johnson limited the spread of COVID in the underserved dialysis patients at Grady.”

Sarah Johnson headshot

Philip Shayne Emergency Medicine

“Dr. Shayne has dedicated his entire career to advancing education, particularly through his efforts to improve well-being and diversity, equity, and inclusion among trainees. He served as the Residency Program Director for EM for 17 years and vice chair from 2013-2014 as well as chair of the ACGME Review Committee for Emergency Medicine from 2014-2017. He has served on various ACGME committees, including Milestones 2.0 as well as the task force on fatigue management, supervision, professionalism, and patient safety. With numerous years of service, he has extensive knowledge on accreditation standards and now serves as the chair of the Program Oversight Committee, overseeing the accreditation of all 115 ACGME-accredited residency programs and all 100 non-ACGME programs at Emory. He is always willing to facilitate the submission of new program applications or help existing programs address citations or improve accreditation status. This is a thankless and extraordinary task.”

Philip Shayne headshot

Gregory Lesinski Hematology and Medical Oncology

“Dr. Lesinski’s has demonstrated service and leadership at several levels in the Emory community. He is the co-leader of the GI malignancies program and has built up the translational research component of the program resulting in grant submissions and awards from his collaborating clinicians. He has also used his lab to train and mentor junior faculty members and fellows across both Hematology/Oncology and Surgery. Dr. Lesinski has also been very active in service to the Winship Cancer Institute. Like his trajectory in the department, he is highly active in several Winship committees and is dedicated to providing feedback to shared resource leaders, reviewing pilot grants for two different programs as well as his role in determining the use of Winship research space. Finally, Dr. Lesinski has supported the community through his active participation and leadership in graduate education. He is active in the Cancer Biology graduate program and currently serves as the Director of Graduate Studies.” 

Gregory Lesinski headshot

Awardees

2022

2021 

2020 

2019

2018 

2017