2009 Alpha Omega Alpha Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Awards

Ronald A. Arky, M.D.
Harvard Medical School

For more than 45 years, Dr. Ronald Arky has charted new pathways in teaching, curriculum development, and mentorship at Harvard Medical School (HMS). Whether setting an innovative learning agenda, fostering the early careers of his students, or creating a close-knit community of young HMS physicians, Dr. Arky has, according to Harvard's dean, Jeffrey S. Flier, M.D., formed a "family of medical students, residents, researchers, and practitioners."

Known for his exceptional ability to teach "both in the classroom and on the wards," Dr. Arky is Charles S. Davidson Distinguished Professor of Medicine and dean of curriculum at HMS and former chief of the diabetes section at Brigham and Women's Hospital. He also holds a joint faculty appointment as professor of medicine, health sciences, and technology, at both Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

As one of the principal architects of Harvard Medical School's widely acclaimed New Pathway in General Medical Education program, Dr. Arky's work led to the significant restructuring of the school's curriculum. Now in its 24th year, the program continues to break new ground and is modeled by other medical schools nationwide. Additionally, he designed, founded, and has directed the patient-doctor courses at HMS, which introduce medical students to the fundamental clinical skills, ethics, and professionalism that have become integral to the New Pathway curriculum.

Dr. Arky also partnered with a colleague to formulate and design an integrated clinical experience that incorporates all clinical disciplines, emphasizes the longitudinal follow-up of patients, and prominently features the basic sciences. The program, which debuted four years ago with resounding success, is now emulated by institutions across the United States, Canada, and Australia.

An endocrinologist by training, Dr. Arky has devoted much of his career to education and advocacy regarding diabetes. In addition to chairing the department of medicine at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Mass., where he began the use of diabetes nurse educators and developed educational programs for primary care physicians, he was president of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) from 1979 to 1980, a founder of the ADA councils, and later a member of the ADA board of directors for eight years. He also was one of the founders of the Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine, and served as its president from 1989 to 1991.

It is no surprise that Dr. Arky works to convey his passion for putting patients on the path toward better health given his role as founder and leader of HMS's Peabody academic society. For nearly 30 years, he has instilled in students the lessons behind Francis Weld Peabody's memorable words-"the secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient." His dedication to more than 900 of the society's students whose interests lie in primary care, community medicine, health care policy and delivery, social medicine, and the basic sciences has earned him recognition and respect.

In nearly a half-century of contributions to Harvard Medical School, Dr. Arky has dedicated himself to his "first love," said Dean Flier, which is, and always has been, "medical education and the students that it nurtures." By exploring new educational paths, and inviting his students along for the journey, Dr. Arky is living proof that the road less traveled does in fact make all the difference.

Dr. Arky received his A.B. degree from Cornell University, his M.D. degree from Weill Cornell Medical College, and completed his residency at New York Veterans' Administration Hospital.

About the Alpha Omega Alpha Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teaching Award

The Alpha Omega Alpha Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Awards were established by the AOA medical honor society in 1988 to provide national recognition to faculty members who have distinguished themselves in medical student education. The award is named for long-time AOA executive secretary Robert J. Glaser, M.D.

Find out more about the Alpha Omega Alpha Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teaching Award.