Call for Nominations: 2022 David M. Worthen Awards for Excellence in Health Professions Education

I am pleased to announce we are now seeking nominations for the 2022 David M. Worthen Awards for Excellence in Health Professions Education.  Established in 1988, this award program recognizes exceptional VHA education champions who deserve special recognition for their contributions to health professions trainee education.  It was named after the late David M. Worthen, MD, former head of Academic Affairs, board-certified ophthalmologist, established academician, surgeon, researcher, and inspirational leader of VA’s education mission.

To qualify, nominees must be employed more than 5/8 of the time by VHA and active in trainee education both at the time of the nomination and the award.  Award winners will receive a plaque and $3,000 in award funding in addition to having a plaque presented to their facility.

I encourage you to continue honoring Dr. Worthen’s vision, commitment, and dedication by nominating VHA employees who meet the criteria for any of the award categories below:

a.   Rising Star Award for Excellence in Health Professions Education.  The recipient of this award is to be an early career champion of health professions trainee education.

1. Innovator Award for Excellence in Health Professions Education.  The recipient of this award is to be an individual who created and is sustaining or expanding a significant educational innovation for health professions trainee education.
2. Career Achievement Award for Excellence in Health Professions Education.  The recipient of this award is to be an outstanding health professions trainee education champion whose longstanding contributions have profoundly advanced and had widespread impact on the educational mission of VHA.

The two-step nomination process is described on the OAA Worthen Award webpage at: https://www.va.gov/oaa/worthen-award-nominations.asp.  The deadline for initial submissions to the Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) Support Center is December 1, 2021.

Please contact Deborah Ludke at Deborah.ludke@va.gov in VHA’s Office of Academic Affiliations with any questions.

Thank you for your support in recognizing employees who dedicate their lives to providing and supporting high quality health professions education for our trainees serving our nation’s Veterans.

Acting Under Secretary for Health

Follow leadership updates @USHVHA