UTCOMLS Faculty Recognition Nominations

Committee:

Members of the Faculty and Staff Awards Committee will be appointed by the Dean of College of Medicine and Life Sciences (COMLS) and will be composed of COMLS faculty and staff, with committee membership reviewed on an annual basis. In general, recent award winners will comprise the majority of the committee, with four to six additional faculty and staff that have previous experience with the Awards Committee also being appointed. To minimize conflicts of interest, department chairs and division chairs will not be appointed to the Awards Committee, unless they are recent award winners. The Awards Committee members will review the nominations, along with supporting information. They will evaluate, rank, and discuss candidates for each award using defined criteria (see below) to determine the winners. Committee members will be excluded (i.e., must not participate or be present) from voting and/or discussions of individual candidates if they have nominated a candidate for an award, written a letter of support for a candidate for an award, or are in the same department or division as one of the candidates for an award. The co-chairs of the Awards Committee will be the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Development and the Director of Administrative Operations, both of whom are voting members of the Awards Committee and will lead the committee discussions. The committee’s work and deliberations are confidential. As such, committee members should not contact anyone outside of the Awards Committee to request additional information about candidates. Any clarifications or additional information must be requested by the co-chairs.

Guidelines:

Click on the tabs below to see guidelines for each award.

DEAN’S AWARDS FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE 2024

Eligibility:

Full-time or part-time faculty members are eligible.
Retired faculty members are not eligible.
Previous award winners are not eligible for the same award.
If sufficient nominations are not received for any category, or if candidates do not meet the requirements, the committee will recommend that no award be given.
Nominations need to be submitted through COMLS Faculty members which includes our faculty colleagues at ProMedica, AHEC, and community sites.

Criteria:

Outstanding teaching accomplishments measured in part by the quality of teaching, positive impact on students, time commitment, education publications, national involvement in education-based organizations, etc.
Attitude that excites and motivates students to strive for excellence.
Ability to challenge students to do their best.
Evidence of effectiveness in the classroom.
Interaction with students outside the classroom, as a counselor, advisor, or group participant.
Participation in revitalization of courses and curriculum.
Evidence of professional growth as a teacher.
Teaching evaluations from the award year must be included in the nomination packet.

Awards:

This award will be presented at the College of Medicine and Life Sciences Faculty and Staff Recognition Reception.
Photographs of each recipient will be displayed on a plaque in the lobby of Mulford Library for a period of one year.
This recognition will be part of the portfolio for each faculty member and will assist in determining promotions, tenure, and salary increases, as applicable.

DEAN’S AWARDS for RESEARCH EXCELLENCE 2024

Eligibility:

Full-time or part-time faculty members are eligible.
Retired faculty members are not eligible.
Previous awards winners are not eligible for the same award.
If sufficient nominations are not received for any category, or if candidates do not meet the requirements, the committee will recommend that no award be.
Nominations need to be submitted from COMLS Faculty members which includes our faculty colleagues at ProMedica and AHEC sites.

Criteria:

New Investigator Research Excellence

This award is for investigators who have been at UToledo COMLS for less than or equal to six (6) years;
An emerging record of research productivity, as exemplified by high-quality publications (first or senior author) in well-recognized, peer-reviewed journals (please include impact factor for each journal);
Currently-funded peer-reviewed/external research grant support, with preference given to nominees with multiple grants;
A competitive h-index;
Documented national recognition for creativity in their specific area of expertise (e.g., invited presentations at national conferences);
The majority of their research was conducted at UToledo COMLS.

Research Excellence in the Basic Sciences

Six (6) or more years of full-time appointment at UToledo COMLS.
A sustained record of research productivity, as exemplified by high-quality publications (first or senior author) in well-recognized, peer-reviewed journals (please include impact factor for each journal and candidate h-index).
Sustained (i.e., previous) and current record of peer-reviewed/external research grant support.
Documented national and international recognition in their specific area of expertise (e.g., invited presentations at national and international conferences);
Evidence that the majority of the research program was developed while at UToledo COMLS.

Research Excellence in the Clinical Sciences

Six (6) or more years of full-time appointment at UToledo COMLS.
A sustained record of research productivity, as exemplified by high-quality publications (first or senior author) in well-recognized, peer-reviewed journals (please include impact factor for each journal and candidate h-index).
Sustained (i.e., previous) and current record of peer-reviewed/external research grant support.
Documented national and international recognition in their specific area of expertise (e.g., invited presentations at national and international conferences);
Evidence that the majority of the research program was developed while at UToledo COMLS.

Best Research Productivity

Publication of peer-reviewed research of the highest quality, as defined by contemporary journal impact factor (e.g., New England Journal of Medicine, Science, Nature, etc.,). Nominee must be either the first author (equal contribution is acceptable) or the Senior/Last Author and the article must have been published in the past 24 months. Publications in basic science, clinical science, interdisciplinary or educational research are eligible.
Greater than 50% of the work that led to this publication was performed at UToledo COMLS.
This scientific publication has been highly-cited (include citation index)
OR
Publication of a comprehensive invited review that is published in a peer-reviewed journal of the highest quality, as defined by contemporary journal impact factor (e.g., New England Journal of Medicine, Science, Nature, etc.,). Nominee must be either the first author (equal contribution is acceptable) or the Senior/Last Author and the article must have been published in the past 24 months. Publications in basic science, clinical science, interdisciplinary or educational research are eligible.
This scientific publication has been highly-cited (show citation index)
AND
The nominee holds active, peer-reviewed, externally-funded research grants at UToledo COMLS, with the grant titles being directly correlated with the publication titles (see above) and all funding/publication activity has occurred in the past 24 months. The nomination should list the funded grant dollars (direct costs and indirect costs), role on grant (PI, co-PI, percent effort, etc.), and amounts expended to date from these funding sources. All forms of external research funding (e.g., NIH, NSF, DoD, Foundation, Industry, etc.) are eligible.

Awards:

These awards will be presented at the College of Medicine and Life Sciences Faculty and Staff Recognition Reception.
Photographs of each recipient will be displayed on a plaque in the lobby of Mulford Library for a period of one year.
This recognition will be part of the research portfolio for each faculty member and will assist in determining promotions, tenure, and salary increases, as applicable.

DEAN’S Awards for CLINICal Excellence 2024

Eligibility:

Full-time or part-time faculty members are eligible.
Retired faculty members and previous awardees are not eligible.
If sufficient nominations are not received, or if candidates do not meet the requirements, the committee will recommend that no award be given.
Nominations need to be submitted through COMLS Faculty members which includes our faculty colleagues at ProMedica, AHEC, and community sites.

Criteria:

The purpose of this award is to recognize clinicians who serve as outstanding and aspirational examples of the finest qualities of the medical practitioner – essentially the “doctors’ doctor.” The successful award recipient will have demonstrated contributions of enduring significance or early career clinical excellence for the clinical mission of The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences.

Nominees should demonstrate:

1. Evidence of excellence in clinical care.
Examples would include:

A. Internal and external recognition;
B. Recipient of the APC Master Teaching Award, “Best Doctor” recognition, etc.);

AND
2. Evidence of excellence in clinical teaching.
Examples would include teaching awards and outstanding teaching evaluations and scores.
Faculty with ≤ 7 years clinical experience will not be eligible for the Master Clinician Award but will be eligible for the Early Career Clinical Excellence Award.

Awards:

This award will be presented at the College of Medicine and Life Sciences Faculty and Staff Recognition Reception.
Photographs of each recipient will be displayed on a plaque in the lobby of Mulford Library for a period of one year.
This recognition will be part of the clinical portfolio for each faculty member and will assist determining promotions, tenure, and salary increases.

DEAN’S AWARD FOR ADVISING EXCELLENCE 2024

Eligibility:

Full-time or part-time faculty members are eligible.
Retired faculty members are not eligible.
Previous award winners are not eligible.
If sufficient nominations are not received for any category, or if candidates do not meet the requirements, the committee will recommend that no award be given.
Nominations need to be submitted through COMLS Faculty members which includes our faculty colleagues at ProMedica and AHEC sites.

Criteria:

Candidates must have made outstanding contributions to the training, advising, and/or mentoring of graduate students, medical students, and/or postdoctoral/clinical fellows, above and beyond the expected educational duties of all faculty. Candidates also may be considered for this award with a track record of outstanding junior faculty mentoring. Specific information must be provided about advising and/or mentoring in the most recent academic year.

Awards:

This award will be presented at the College of Medicine and Life Sciences Faculty and Staff Recognition Reception.
Photographs of each recipient will be displayed on a plaque in the lobby of Mulford Library for a period of one year.
This recognition will be part of the portfolio for each faculty member and will assist in determining promotions, tenure, and salary increases.

DEAN’S AWARD FOR Inclusion and Opportunity 2024

Eligibility:

Full-time or part-time faculty members are eligible.
Retired faculty members are not eligible.
Previous award winners are not eligible.
If sufficient nominations are not received, or if candidates do not meet the requirements, the committee will recommend that no award be given.
Nominations need to be submitted from COMLS Faculty members which includes our faculty colleagues at ProMedica and AHEC sites.

Criteria:

The individual should demonstrate an emerging or sustained commitment to the values of inclusion, opportunity, and multiculturalism.

Outstanding examples of excellence in inclusion and opportunity may include, but are not limited to:

Promoting an environment that is welcoming, supportive, and nurturing to all faculty, staff, and learners within UToledo and COMLS;
Improving awareness related to inclusion, opportunities, bias, and/or healthcare disparities;
Mentoring individuals from socioeconomic disadvantage groups;
Demonstrating leadership in inclusion and opportunity activities within UToledo and COMLS;
Collaboration and engagement with campus or community groups in the creation, sponsorship, and implementation of programs, initiatives, or projects in inclusion and opportunity (including UToledo COMLS pipeline programs);
Address key areas of inclusion and opportunity such as recruitment, retention, campus/departmental climate, research, clinical practice, or community outreach;
Leading efforts to eliminate health inequalities and improve health outcomes, regionally and globally;
Promoting the improvement of cultural competency through educational initiatives;
Engagement in activities to recruit, retain, and professionally develop individuals who increase the inclusion of our faculty, staff, or student body.

Awards:

These awards will be presented at the College of Medicine and Life Sciences Faculty and Staff Recognition Reception.
Photographs of each recipient will be displayed on a plaque in the lobby of Mulford Library for a period of one year.
This recognition will be part of the portfolio for each faculty member and will assist in determining promotions, tenure, and salary increases, as applicable.

Dean’s Award for FACULTY CAREER ACHIEVEMENT 2024

Eligibility:

Full-time faculty members with a minimum of 15 years of service in the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences are eligible.
Retired faculty members are not eligible.
Previous award winners are not eligible.
If sufficient nominations are not received, or if candidates do not meet the requirements, the committee will recommend that no award be given.
Nominations need to be submitted from COMLS Faculty members which includes our faculty colleagues at ProMedica and AHEC sites.

Criteria:

The recipient of the Dean’s Award for Faculty Career Achievement must be a senior faculty member who is well-respected for exceptional academic achievements, strong leadership and who has established prominence in his/her area of expertise. This individual is also recognized for outstanding citizenship and the tremendous impact she/he has had on the institution.

Examples of career achievement include, but are not limited to, the following:

Development and directorship of a successful clinical program which advances the vision and mission of The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences.
Development and leadership of programs successful for institutional improvement which advances the vision and mission of The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences.
Development and leadership of programs in basic biomedical science research or clinical research which have made outstanding contributions to the missions and vision of The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences.
Development and leadership of educational programs, including the creation and/or implementation of new courses and major improvement of current courses which advances the mission and vision of The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences.

Awards:

This award will be presented at the College of Medicine and Life Sciences Faculty and Staff Recognition Reception.
Photographs of each recipient will be displayed on a plaque in the lobby of Mulford Library for a period of one year.
This recognition will be part of the portfolio for each faculty member and will assist in determining promotions, tenure, and salary increases, as applicable.

Past recipients have been:

1999 Amir Askari, Ph.D. and Maurice Manning, Ph.D.
2000 John Rapp, Ph.D., DVM
2001 Peter White, M.D.
2002 Jagadish Jhunjhunwala, M.D.
2003 Roberto Franco, M.D.
2004 Patrick Mulrow, M.D.
2005 Keith Schlender, Ph.D.
2006 Richard Hudson, Ph.D.
2007 Kenneth Bachmann, Ph.D. and Jeri Milstead, Ph.D.
2008 Roland Skeel, M.D. and Doug Wilkerson, Ph.D.
2009 none awarded
2011 none awarded
2012 none awarded
2013 Steven Selman, M.D.
2014 none awarded
2015 Blair P. Grubb, M.D.
2016 Dan Olsen, M.D.
2017 Nabil Ebraheim, M.D. and Gretchen Tietjen, M.D.
2019 Joseph Ryno, D.O.
2020 William Gunning, Ph.D.
2021 Basil Akpunonu, M.D.
2022 Ragheb Assaly, M.D.
2023 Deepak Malhotra, M.D.

This award need not be presented every year.

Nominations:

Any faculty member of the College of Medicine and Life Sciences can make nominations. Students, student groups and residents are encouraged to participate in the nominating process by providing supporting information. All nominations must be made through a COMLS faculty member, which includes our faculty colleagues at ProMedica and AHEC sites.
For each nomination, an updated CV, teaching evaluations from the award year (for Teaching Excellence Awards), and 250-word recommendation MUST be submitted through the online form below. Updated CVs should be obtained from department chairs.
Although not required, a maximum of 10 pages of supporting letters/information may be submitted.
If your nominee is selected as a candidate for this award, you may be contacted to introduce your nominee at the Awards ceremony.
Nominations from more than one source (i.e., students, faculty, residents) strengthen the case for candidates. However, the number of nominations is not, in itself, a sufficient criterion for receiving the award.
Information concerning nominations received in previous years is viewed as indicative of continuous success and strengthens the case for a candidate.

Nominating Process:

Notifications from the Dean to solicit nominations are emailed to all faculty members in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences and to the members of the College of Medicine Executive Committee followed by e-mail reminders. Department chairs are encouraged to seek participation from residents and graduate students.
The Office of Student Affairs contacts students to encourage their participation. Although formal nominations must be submitted through a COMLS Faculty member.
Nominations are accepted via web form below.
The submission deadline is final. No exceptions.
All nominations are confidential. Faculty members should NOT be notified of their nominations.
The COMLS Dean’s Office will arrange for the selection committee to meet in a timely fashion prior to the Faculty Recognition Reception and have all nominations and supporting materials available for the committee to review in advance of the meeting.
The Awards Committee Chairs will present the Committee’s recommendations to the Dean, in writing, immediately after the voting is completed.
Recipients and their department chairs will be notified by the Dean’s Office.

College of Medicine and Life Sciences