The Excellence in Medical Student Education Award will provide national recognition for an outstanding medical student educator on an annual basis. It is established through funding from the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). The award will be presented annually at the AUPO Annual Meeting and includes a cash prize.
The nomination period is open now through April 15.
SUBMIT NOMINATION
2024 Excellence in Medical Student Education Award Recipient
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Dr. Lisa Kelly currently holds the position of Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and serves as the Taylor Asbury Professor of Comprehensive Ophthalmology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Her academic background includes a bachelor's degree and MD from Harvard University, as well as a master's degree in education from the Johns Hopkins School of Education. Dr. Kelly's postgraduate training includes a residency in ophthalmology at Stanford University Medical Center, followed by a corneal fellowship at the Harvard Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.
Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Kelly has assumed several leadership roles. She has served as Chief of Cornea at Stanford University Medical Center and Chief of Ophthalmology at the Palo Alto Veterans Medical Center. Her academic journey also includes serving on the faculty at the University of Maryland. In her current capacity, Dr. Kelly serves as the Director of Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinics at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. In 2014, she was appointed the Director of Medical Student Education at the same institution.
Dr. Kelly's influence extends to national leadership positions. She serves as a Member-at-Large on the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Board of Trustees. Additionally, she is president of the AUPO Directors of Medical Student Education Council. Her commitment to diversity and medical student mentorship is evident in her role as Chair of the Executive Committee of the Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring Program at the AAO.
Her contributions to the field have been recognized through numerous accolades, including the AAO Secretariat Award for her leadership in medical education and the 2019 Mentor of the Year Award from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
Dr. Kelly's research interests are diverse, with publications focusing on education, social determinants of health, and health disparities. Her multifaceted expertise and dedication to advancing ophthalmology education continue to shape the next generation of medical professionals.
Past Recipients
2023
Wayne State University, Kresge Eye Institute
2022
University of Pennsylvania
Scheie Eye Institute
2021
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Vanderbilt Eye Institute
2020
Montefiore Medical Center
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
2019
University of California, Los Angeles
Stein Eye Institute
2018
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine
2017
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
2016
Northwestern University
Feinberg School of Medicine
2015
Yale University School of Medicine
2014
University of California, Irvine
Gavin Herbert Eye Institute
Award information
Eligibility
Nominees for the Excellence in Medical Student Education Award must fulfill the following criteria:
- Be a Member of AUPO and a Member or Fellow of the AAO
- Have served as a Medical Student Educator at an ACGME, LCME, or RCPSC-accredited AUPO member program for a minimum of two years
- Currently serve as the Medical Student Educator
- Embody the qualities of:
- commitment to medical student education
- dedication to the medical student education training process
- active engagement in medical student education program leadership
- innovation in and/or advancement of medical student education in Ophthalmology at the Regional, National or AUPO level
- a consummate teacher/mentor/advisor
Special consideration in the selection process will be given to:
- current activities, not simply to length of service or to contributions made many years previously
- nominees who have published in peer-reviewed literature on subjects related to medical student education
- innovative work
- those who have achieved a leadership role in medical education
- achievement in mentoring other educators/future educators
Nominations
Candidates must be nominated by their Department Chair
The Application Packet must include the following items (10 pt. font or greater)
- A letter (not to exceed three pages) from the Chair summarizing the Nominee’s special qualifications for the Award and verifying that, if awarded
- the Awardee will attend the AUPO Annual Meeting to receive the award
- the cash prize will be awarded directly to the Awardee and not counted against normal compensation or deposited in department accounts
- Two supporting letters (each not to exceed two pages) from faculty, current medical students, or past medical students who trained under the Nominee
- A copy of the Nominee’s current Curriculum Vitae
- A signed letter from the Nominee (not to exceed two pages) summarizing the Nominee’s accomplishments as Medical Student Educator and plans for future activities. The Nominee must also agree in the letter to provide a presentation at the Annual Meetings of AUPO on a topic related to medical student education training if chosen as the Awardee.
- The application packet must be compiled by the Department Chair and submitted electronically by April 15.
Selection Process
All completed applications will be reviewed by a Selection Committee and a recommendation forwarded to the AUPO Board of Trustees and the AAO Board of Trustee for approval.
The Awardee will be notified by July.