Awards & Recognition
The accomplishments of the College of Human Medicine’s exemplary faculty and staff are recognized each fall as part of the Dean’s Recognition Reception. Each award summarized below provides an opportunity to acknowledge and support a fellow Spartan in the college. Yearly nominations for each award are encouraged, but every award is not required to be presented each year.
All faculty and staff award nominations for the 2024 year are required to be submitted via the nomination link below. Nominations must be submitted by April 15.
In consultation with the College Advisory Council (CAC), the dean selects the Lester J. Evans, MD, CHM Distinguished Service Award recipient. All other faculty award nominations are reviewed by the CAC Awards Subcommittee with final nominations approved by the CAC. For questions or more information about faculty awards, please reach out to Staci Howard in the Office of Faculty Affairs and Development.
Staff award nominations are reviewed and selected by the Awards Subcommittee of the Dean’s Support Staff Advisory Committee. For questions or more information about staff awards, please reach out to the Committee at CHM.DSSAC@msu.edu.
About the Awards
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Outstanding Faculty Award
Outstanding Faculty Award
The College of Human Medicine Outstanding Faculty Award recognizes outstanding service by the college faculty in the areas of teaching, research, clinical service, and public outreach. Nominations for the award may be submitted by a present or former faculty member, student or resident. If nominees for the College of Human Medicine Outstanding Faculty Award meet the university criteria, they may also be nominated for the MSU William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award (up to 3 nominations can be submitted by the college).
Number Awarded: 1
Deadline: April 15
Each nominee will be assessed against the following principal criteria:
- Evidence of exceptional instructional performance in a variety of settings including professional, graduate, and undergraduate students, curriculum development, development of innovative course material, scholarly work related to teaching, and academic advising.
- Evidence of exceptional research, creative and scholarly activities in traditional, non-traditional or emerging areas with recognition that scholarly distinction can be demonstrated in a variety of ways such as creative synthesis, interpretation and application of existing knowledge, as well as discovery of new knowledge; OR evidence of exceptional clinical service.
- Evidence of exceptional public outreach achievement in local, national or international settings that builds upon the faculty member’s professional expertise involving such external activities as consultation and technical assistance, policy analysis, organizing continuing medical education programs, program development and evaluation, and public information.
- While not as important as the three criteria listed above, evidence of other contributions to Michigan State University, e.g., in academic administration and governance may also be considered by the Awards Subcommittee. Administrative excellence and length of service, however, should not be used as major criteria for nomination.
- Generally, nominees have at least five years of service at Michigan State University.
Eligibility: College of Human Medicine faculty with an appointment in the tenure, health programs (HP), or fixed term appointment systems.
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Teacher-Scholar Award
Teacher-Scholar Award
The College of Human Medicine Teacher/Scholar Award seeks to recognize junior faculty who, through achievements in the early stages of their MSU career, demonstrate outstanding potential to become distinguished faculty of College of Human Medicine in the future. Typical recipients have earned the respect of students and colleagues for their devotion to and skill in teaching. If nominees for the College of Human Medicine Teacher-Scholar Award meets the university criteria, they may also be nominated for the MSU Teacher-Scholar Award (up to 4 nominations can be submitted by the college).
Number Awarded: 2
- One award to a tenure system or health professions faculty member who will be eligible for the MSU Teacher-scholar award.
- One award to a fixed-term faculty member who will not be eligible for the MSU Teacher-scholar award.
Deadline: April 15
Junior faculty nominees are evaluated on the following:
- Instructional effectiveness as evidenced by impact on students
- Use of innovative techniques and/or approaches in teaching
- Scholarly promise
- Public service/outreach activities
Eligibility: The faculty member must hold the rank of assistant professor or associate professor in the tenure appointment system, have an appointment in the health programs appointment system, or have an appointment in the fixed term appointment system and, at the beginning of the award period, must have served on the faculty for at least two semesters but no more than seven academic years at Michigan State University. In addition, nominees must not have more than ten years of employment experience of all kinds since the receipt of the terminal degree applicable to their discipline. “Postdoc” appointments are not counted in determining eligibility.
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Excellence in Teaching Award
Excellence in Teaching Award
The College of Human Medicine Excellence in Teaching Award seeks to recognize faculty and academic specialists who, through achievements in their MSU career, exemplify commitment to excellence in teaching. Typical recipients have earned the respect of students and colleagues for their devotion to and skill in teaching.
Number Awarded: 1
Deadline: April 15
Criteria: Nominees are evaluated on the following
- Evidence of exceptional instructional performance in a variety of settings including professional, graduate, and undergraduate students, curriculum development, development of innovative course material, scholarly work related to teaching, and academic advising.
- Instructional and scholarly works and grants centered around teaching.
- Evidence of mentoring and advising students and student interest groups.
Eligibility: Open to all faculty engaged in teaching which includes faculty appointed in the tenure, health programs (HP), and fixed term systems and academic specialists at any career stage.
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Outstanding Clinician Award
Outstanding Clinician Award
The College of Human Medicine Outstanding Clinician Award recognizes a faculty member who serves as a role model for the college's students and colleagues, especially in the performance of their clinical responsibilities. Nominations for the award must be submitted by a College of Human Medicine faculty member. Students, residents, house staff, clinical colleagues, and/or patients may be co-nominators.
Number Awarded: 1
Deadline: April 15
Criteria: Nominees should exemplify the six professional responsibilities defining the College of Human Medicine Virtuous Professional: competence, honesty, compassion, respect for others, professional responsibility, and social responsibility.
Eligibility: College of Human Medicine faculty with an appointment in the tenure, health programs (HP), or fixed term appointment systems. The nominee must be a College of Human Medicine clinician who performs clinical services for or on behalf of MSU; the nomination must be endorsed by the department or unit in which the nominee’s appointment resides.
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Outstanding Community Faculty Award
Outstanding Community Faculty Award
Delivery of the college's educational programs is heavily dependent upon faculty who reside and work in communities throughout the state. The College of Human Medicine Outstanding Community Faculty Award honors a member of our community-based faculty for their significant contribution to the college. The recipient of this award is generally not employed by MSU but is committed to, and devotes significant time and effort to, an academic career, demonstrating academic and/or research excellence.
Number Awarded: 1
Deadline: April 15
Criteria: The candidate must have demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, or service.
Eligibility: The nominee must have a current College of Human Medicine faculty appointment and generally is not employed directly by MSU; if employed by MSU, the MSU appointment must be less than 50%.
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Outstanding Community Volunteer Faculty Award
Outstanding Community Volunteer Faculty Award
Delivery of the college's educational programs is heavily dependent upon faculty who reside and work in communities throughout the state. Of particular note and importance are those volunteer faculty who donate their time and energy to the college with no expectation of financial compensation. The College of Human Medicine Outstanding Community Volunteer Faculty Award recognizes a faculty member from one of our communities who serves as an outstanding role model in the college’s educational program.
Number Awarded: 1
Deadline: April 15
Criteria: The candidate must have demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, or service.
Eligibility: The nominee must hold a College of Human Medicine clinical or adjunct (aka non-paid or volunteer) faculty appointment and not receive any requital for teaching, directly or indirectly, from MSU.
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Junior Faculty Mentoring Award
Junior Faculty Mentoring Award
This award recognizes the outstanding mentor who successfully guides a junior faculty member(s) through their academic career path.
Number Awarded: 1
Deadline: April 15
The candidate must have demonstrated excellence in mentoring junior faculty. The following criteria are to be addressed in nominations:
- Professional Development. Serves as an effective role model and resource for channeling energies into successful research, teaching and instructional navigation. Assists in expansion of a professional network and creates avenues of recognition for the mentee and their body of work. Works to clarify a balance of the mentee’s new duties as part of a faculty, department, college, university and professional field.
- Holistic balance. Respects and accepts the mentee as an individual in all aspects of life by expressing a genuine interest beyond the academic arena. This is exemplified by being a strong role model, serving as a resource for university support and encouraging the establishment and maintenance of a healthy balance of work and home life.
Eligibility: College of Human Medicine faculty holding an appointment in the tenure, health programs (HP), or fixed term appointment systems. Nominations are accepted from the nominee’s supervisor, colleagues, or mentee(s).
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Early Career Research Excellence Award
Early Career Research Excellence Award
This award recognizes early career faculty members who have demonstrated early success in basic science, clinical, epidemiological, or translational research. Particular consideration will be given to nominees who have enhanced the research stature of the college.
Number Awarded: Up to 3 (1 to a physician-scientist, 2 to basic scientists)
Deadline: April 15
Criteria: The selection committee will consider the scope of the nominee’s research accomplishments (external funding, publications, etc.) in proportion to their allotted effort allocation for scholarly activity.
Eligibility: The selection committee defines early career faculty to be those no more than ten (10) years after their first junior faculty (i.e., assistant professor) appointment at the College of Human Medicine. This award is intended for faculty with a current rank of assistant or associate professor.
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Research Excellence Award
Research Excellence Award
This award recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated sustained success in basic science, clinical, epidemiological, or translational research. This is demonstrated by a strong record of publications, grant funding, and national or international recognition. Particular consideration will be given to nominees who have enhanced the research stature of the college.
Number Awarded: Up to 2
Deadline: April 15
Criteria: The selection committee will consider the scope of the nominee’s research accomplishments in proportion to their allotted time for scholarly activity within their faculty appointment.
Eligibility: The selection committee will consider sustained and longitudinal research over the course of a career. This award is not intended for early career faculty.
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Outstanding Curriculum Contribution Award
Outstanding Curriculum Contribution Award
This award recognizes College of Human Medicine faculty members who have made innovative or exceptional contributions to the development of the college’s curriculum.
Number Awarded: 2
Deadline: April 15
Criteria: The selection committee will consider student feedback and/or performance in curriculum contribution.
Eligibility: College of Human Medicine faculty in any appointment system of any rank.
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Lester J. Evans, MD, CHM Distinguished Service Award
Lester J. Evans, MD, CHM Distinguished Service Award
The Lester J. Evans, MD, Distinguished Service Award is granted to recognize those individuals who have made major and enduring contributions to the development of the College of Human Medicine. Past winners have included former deans of the college, individuals who have founded a department, faculty who have developed or promoted innovative educational programs, and individuals who have helped to shape a community network.
Number Awarded: 1
Deadline: April 15
Criteria: Accomplishments and impact at a standard of “Lifetime Achievement.”
Eligibility: Any faculty member who holds or has held a faculty appointment of any type in College of Human Medicine or any current or former staff may be considered for the award. The dean of the College of Human Medicine, in consultation with the College Advisory Council, will select the recipient of the award. A letter of nomination detailing the nominee’s contributions to the college should be submitted to the dean for consideration. There is no nomination form for this award.
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Distinguished Academic Staff Award
Distinguished Academic Staff Award
The College of Human Medicine Distinguished Academic Staff Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of those professionals who serve the university and the college as academic specialists, providing contributions in advising, curriculum development, teaching, outreach and/or research. Nominations may be initiated by faculty, colleagues, administrators, alumni, students, and faculty or student organizations. Self-nominations are also welcome. If nominees for the College of Human Medicine Distinguished Academic Staff Award meet the university criteria, they may also be nominated for the MSU Distinguished Academic Staff Award (there is no limit to the number of nominations that can be made by the college).
Number Awarded: 1
Deadline: April 15
Nominees shall have a sustained record of excellence in one of the areas listed above and will reflect the values of Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Nominees will be assessed using the following general criteria:
- Evidence of excellence and widely recognized academic unit contributions in areas such as advising, curriculum development, teaching, outreach, and/or research.
- Evidence of innovative and creative contributions through individual or team membership efforts in the areas of advising, curriculum development, teaching, outreach, and/or research, and related administrative involvement that reflects excellence and promotes the mission of the university.
Eligibility: The nominee must be a member of the academic staff appointed as an academic specialist in the College of Human Medicine for a minimum of ten (10) years of continuous service.
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Excellence-in-Teaching Citation (Graduate Teaching Assistant)
Excellence-in-Teaching Citation (Graduate Teaching Assistant)
Based on university criteria, this award recognizes graduate teaching assistants who have distinguished themselves by the care they have given and the skill they have shown in meeting their classroom responsibilities.
Up to 7 nominations from the College of Human Medicine
Deadline: April 15
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Exceptional Support Staff Award
COLLEGE OF HUMAN MEDICINE SUPPORT STAFF AWARDS
The College of Human Medicine Exceptional Support Staff Award recognizes the outstanding, dedicated support staff that demonstrate excellence in the services they provide to the college.
Number Awarded: Up to 4
Deadline: April 15
Nominees will be assessed using the following general criteria:
- Embodies a commitment to excellence, service and leadership.
- Exhibits professionalism, positivity and leads by example.
- Exceeds expectations of those they report to, work with, and provide supervision to.
- Dedication to advancing the DEI missions of their unit, the college, university and community.Eligibility: The nominee must be a regular college (or affiliated*) support staff and community staff employees and must be employed or affiliated with the CHM organization for at least one year past probation. On-call, temporary, and student employees are ineligible.
*For example, an IT manager may technically be an employee of the MSU IT organization, but they “live and breathe” in a College of Human Medicine unit and function as a college team member. Reach out to the committee to inquire about eligibility if unsure.
The recipient(s) of this award will be recognized at the Dean’s Recognition Reception in East Lansing or Grand Rapids and will receive a $1,000 lump sum payment. Awardees and their nominators will be contacted by the chair of the DSSAC by August 1, 2024.