Lifetime Service and Leadership Award | Emory School of Medicine

2024 Winner Spotlight

Wright Caughman Dermatology

For decades, Dr. Wright Caughman was committed to serving the needs of the University and healthcare system at Emory as a top executive, clinician, and scientist. Over the course of his career at Emory, Dr. Caughman held a vast array of leadership positions at Emory, from Chair of the Department of Dermatology to Head of The Emory Clinic to Executive Vice President of Health Affairs. Despite his considerable influence, Dr. Caughman maintained an engaged, modest demeanor that made him a model servant leader. At nearly all department events, he sought out junior faculty to inquire about how things were going for them. When it felt like no one was noticing the hard work being done in the department, Dr. Caughman noticed and acknowledged it. Dr. Caughman would regularly clear his schedule each month to meet colleagues for in-depth conversations. He possessed a unique ability to sift through the details of any given situation to hone in on what was most important. He always listened objectively and offered gentle but actionable advice. Dr. Caughman often used anecdotes from his own career to illustrate how to navigate the challenges faculty members face. He worked tirelessly with colleagues across the University to advance the mission of the Department of Dermatology. During his long, illustrious career, Dr. Wright Caughman influenced many people at Emory. His track record of devoted service in leadership, patient care, and research is well known and will long be remembered by those whose lives he touched.

Monica Farley Medicine

As the Jonas A. Shulman Professor of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine and the former Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases, Dr. Monica Farley has demonstrated unparalleled commitment, expertise, and leadership. Throughout her career, she has been an inspiring leader and advocate. Under her leadership, the Division of Infectious Diseases at Emory University has almost doubled in size with remarkable research accomplishments and significant expansion of clinical services. Dr. Farley’s commitment to clinical excellence is evident through her longstanding service as an Infectious Diseases physician at the Atlanta VA Medical Center since 1989. Moreover, Dr. Farley is an internationally recognized researcher with a focus on the epidemiology and population-based surveillance of invasive bacterial pathogens. Additionally, Dr. Farley has a record of distinguished service to the American Federation for Clinical Research where she has served on Council as Co-Chair of the Public Policy Committee (1995 – 1997), President-elect (1997 – 1998) and President (1998 – 1999) and President of the AFMR Foundation (1999 – 2000). For the Infectious Diseases Society of America, she has been a member of the Women’s Committee, a member of the Program Planning Committee member of the Public Health Committee and member of the COI-ethics committee (where she was also the Chair). She is also a member of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases Board of Directors and a reviewer for multiple journals including the New England Journal of Medicine and a grant reviewer for the NIH, the VA, the CDC, and the Doris Duke Foundation. In addition to her academic and clinical achievements, Dr. Farley’s service at Emory University and to the School of Medicine has been extensive through her committed service to numerous committees over the years.

Previous Awardees

2022

Christian Larsen (surgery)

2021

Nancy Newman, MD (ophthalmology)

2020

Nadine Kaslow, PhD (psychiatry)

2019

Arthur H. Yancey, II, MD, MPH (emergency medicine)

2018

David S. Stephens, MD (medicine)

Nomination Process

One award will be given annually.

Deadline

Nominations will be accepted through July 10, 2024.

Eligibility

All current faculty members with a primary appointment in the SOM and a minimum of twenty-five years of service to SOM. Those who have received this award in the past are not eligible. View previous award winners online.

Nominations

Faculty must be nominated by a faculty member, staff member, or trainee of Emory University. The nomination should consist of a concise narrative (1000 words or less) describing the nominee’s outstanding and distinguished service to and leadership in the SOM during their tenure at Emory. Service and leadership are expected to go above and beyond what is required for one’s role.

Submission

Use the online Award Nomination Form and include the following:

Nominating letter (1000 words or less)
Nominee’s current Curriculum Vitae

Decision

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

Award

The recipient of the School of Medicine Lifetime Service and Leadership Award will be announced and honored during the annual Celebration of Faculty Eminence.

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