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Medical students celebrate teachers, mentors

WashU Medicine learners recognize faculty, residents who made a difference

May 2, 2025

Carol Green

Brian Dineen presents the Humanism In Medicine award to Amjad Musleh, MD (right), at the Distinguished Service Teaching Awards Ceremony on April 15, 2025. During the event medical students present faculty with honors.

Gratitude was in the air as students took the stage to recognize the faculty and residents at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis who have guided and supported them. In all, 21 educators and mentors were honored during the 2024-25 Distinguished Service Teaching Awards (DSTAs) event.

While some may have lent a listening ear and others imparted lasting wisdom, all of the honorees have one thing in common: They left a lasting impact on WashU Medicine learners.

Carol Green

Justin Sadhu, MD, associate professor of medicine, addresses faculty and students April 15 at the Eric P. Newman Education Center. Sadhu was recognized with the Critical Thinking Distinguished Service Teaching Award.

In 1991, students began the DSTA tradition, which is now supported by the Office of Medical Student Education. This year’s ceremony, held April 15 at the Eric P. Newman Education Center on the Medical Campus, provided a backdrop for learners to express their appreciation for the time, acceptance and patience of their educators.

Medical education representatives from Medical Student Government, with support from the Office of Medical Student Education and the Academy of Educators, collaborated to select DSTA recipients.

Also celebrated at the event was the students’ nominee for the Humanism in Medicine Award, which is presented annually by the Association of American Medical Colleges. The award recognizes medical school faculty physicians who exemplify the qualities of a caring and compassionate mentor in the teaching and advising of medical students.

This year, the students chose Amjad Musleh, MD, associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at WashU Medicine. Musleh is widely recognized for his unwavering commitment to clinical excellence and dedication to medical education. A gifted educator, he has demonstrated a deep passion for teaching learners at all levels — from medical students and residents to fellows, advanced practice practitioners and faculty colleagues. Through bedside teaching, Musleh offers his learners real-time insight into clinical decision-making, patient communication and compassionate care.

Medical faculty and residents honored at the ceremony include:

Phase 1 awards

Glenn Conroy Module Leader of the Year: Allyson Zazulia, MD, professor of neurology and associate dean for Continuing Medical Education.

Thread Leader of the Year: Michelle Miller-Thomas, MD, professor of radiology.

Jane Phillips-Conroy Professor of the Year: Brendan O’Connor, MD, associate professor of psychiatry.

Stanley Lang Teacher of the Year: Tim Yau, MD, associate professor of medicine.

Teaching Assistant of the Year: Haewon Shin, predoctoral trainee.

DSTA for Inclusion: Radhika Jain, MD.

DSTA for Research: Jason J. Pan, MD, assistant professor of medicine.

DSTA for Diversity: Angela L. Brown, MD, professor of medicine.

DSTA for Critical Thinking: Justin Sadhu, MD, associate professor of medicine.

DSTA for Clinical Care: Cynthia Montana, MD, PhD, assistant professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences.

DSTA for Creativity: Amy Riek, MD, associate professor of medicine.

Carol Green

Laura Hall, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics, accepts the Clinical Care Distinguished Service Teaching Award.

Phase 2 awards

Clerkship of the Year: Pediatrics.

Clerkship Administrator of the Year: Christine McIntosh, neurology medical student education coordinator.

Clinical Educator of the Year (Attending): Dennis Chang, MD, associate professor of medicine.

Clinical Educator of the Year (Resident): Abby Chmiel, MD, general surgery resident.

DSTA for Inclusion (Attending): Susan Mackinnon, MD, Minot Packer Fryer Professor of Plastic Surgery.

DSTA for Inclusion (Resident): Joe Banton, MD, general surgery resident.

DSTA for Diversity (Attending): Holly Hoefgen, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology.

DSTA for Diversity (Resident): Rishi Gonuguntla, MD, MPH, psychiatry resident.

DSTA for Clinical Care (Attending): Laura Hall, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics.

DSTA for Clinical Care (Resident): Faiz Gani, MD, general surgery resident.