Washington, D.C., November 8, 2003 - Four medical school faculty members who work tirelessly to give their medical students a strong foundation and an outstanding educational experience have received national awards from the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) medical honor society. The awards will be presented during the 114th Annual Meeting of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

The Robert J. Glaser AOA Distinguished Teacher Awards recognize medical school faculty members who have distinguished themselves as outstanding medical student educators. The award is named for long-time AOA executive secretary Robert J. Glaser, M.D. The 2003 award recipients are:

Joel M. Felner, M.D.
Professor of Cardiology
Associate Dean for Clinical Education
Emory University School of Medicine

As a mentor in the second year problem-solving curriculum and director of the basic science course in pathophysiology, Dr. Felner, a professor of cardiology, is routinely recognized as one of Emory University's most outstanding teachers. During his time at Emory, he has developed the most popular senior elective course, involving a mannequin named "Harvey" that is used in the study of advanced cardiac physical diagnosis. "Harvey" now makes an appearance at over 50 medical schools in the United States and Europe.

Dr. Felner's most recent research interests include the use of transesophageal echocardiography in patients with chest trauma and the development of additional computer-based instruction. He has also written about cardiac health, including echocardiography and clinical cardiology.

After receiving his M.D. from the University of Cincinnati medical school in 1967, he joined the Emory University School of Medicine in 1974. He was appointed to associate dean of clinical education in 1985 and has received several teaching awards, including the Evangeline Papageorge Teaching Award in 1999 from the Emory Medical Alumni Association.

Barry D. Mann, M.D.
Professor of Surgery
Drexel University College of Medicine

Dr. Mann receives the AOA award for his unique teaching methods: role playing to mesh psychological issues into disease management, using a 2-dimensional paper cut to teach 3-dimensional surgical concepts, and an interactive game-based tool designed to teach surgical management algorithms.

He worked to promote a curriculum that uses symptom-based modules for preclinical education, dubbed the Interdisciplinary Foundations of Medicine. The program is a new curriculum for first and second year students at Drexel.

Dr. Mann received his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and began teaching at the University of California Center for Health Sciences in Los Angeles in 1984. He joined Drexel University in 1993 and is currently director of the surgical residency program and chair of the education coordinating committee.

Gabriel Virella, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Medical University of South Carolina

Dr. Virella was integral to the development of a series of patient-oriented problem solving exercises for immunology, microbiology and pathology. He was also instrumental in organizing and creating a multidisciplinary, university-wide AIDS Day and Symposium at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Throughout his career, he has received the most prestigious award at the Medical University of South Carolina - the University Teaching Excellence Award. In addition, the medical school's American Medical Student Association chapter has awarded him seven Golden Apple Awards over the years and gave him a Special Appreciation Award in 1998.

Dr. Virella earned both his M.D., in 1967, and Ph.D., in 1974, from the University of Lisbon. He joined the Medical University of South Carolina in 1975 and has served as professor of microbiology and immunology since 1980.

Lawrence Wood, M.D., Ph.D.
Dean of Medical Education
Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago

Throughout his 25-year career, Dr. Wood has made multiple contributions as a physician-scientist. He blazed an innovative trail as chair of the Task Force on Review and Revision of the Medical School Curriculum and established new teaching programs as the faculty dean for medical education. His innovations branched into several education areas, such as "spirituality in medicine."

Medical school graduates recognized him in 1984 with the J.A. McClintock Award for Outstanding Teacher in the Medical School, and he has also been selected as one of the most outstanding teachers of the year for the past 19 years.

Dr. Wood received his M.D. from the University of Manitoba Medical College in 1966, where he also completed his residency in internal medicine. He later earned his Ph.D. in experimental medicine from McGill University. He joined the University of Chicago in 1982.

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The Association of American Medical Colleges is a not-for-profit association representing all 129 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 68 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and 94 academic and scientific societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC represents 109,000 faculty members, 67,000 medical students, and 104,000 resident physicians. Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals is available at www.aamc.org/newsroom.

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