The UCR School of Medicine presented the 2024 UCR SOM Faculty Achievement Awards during its quarterly Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, December 3. The awards covered categories including teacher of the year, mentor of the year, research achievements, clinical faculty awards, and more.
“I’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate all of the recipients of the awards,” said Deborah Deas, MD, MPH, the vice chancellor for health sciences and the Mark and Pam Rubin dean of the School of Medicine. “This is just a token of recognition for what you have done, so thank you.”
In total, the SOM presented 14 awards along with 11 honorable mentions. A dinner will also be held to recognize the recipients.
Adolfo Aguilera, MD, an associate clinical professor in the Department of Family Medicine, received the lifetime achievement award, recognizing his lifetime of outstanding teaching contributions. Aguilera has served as the director of Clinical Skills for over two decades, as well as previously serving as the program director at Riverside University Health System Family Medicine Residency Program. “Dr. Adolfo Aguilera is the person that comes to mind if you try to design and imagine the ideal student, resident physician, faculty, community physician, teacher, and leader for UC Riverside School of Medicine and the Inland Empire,” said presenter Rosemary Tyrrell, EdD, director of the Office of Faculty Development and assistant clinical professor, sharing a quote from Aguilera’s award nomination.
The 2024 outstanding mentor of the year award went to Daniel Novak, PhD, director of Student Scholarly Activities with a faculty appointment in the Department of Social Medicine, Population and Public Health. “Dr. Novak’s mentorship has truly transformed my approach to medicine and research,” read one mentee’s comment. “His dedication to student success and commitment to diversity makes him an exemplary mentor.”
“Join me in giving Dr. Daniel Novak [this] congratulatory, well-deserved award,” said Tyrrell.
Award presenters included:
- Khiet Ngo, DO, MS, Associate Dean of Clinical Skills Education and Innovation
- Rosemary Tyrrell, EdD, Director of the Office of Faculty Development and Assistant Clinical Professor
- Denise Martinez, MD, Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Meera Nair, PhD, Professor of Biomedical Sciences and Associate Dean of Biomedical Research (on behalf of the SOM Research Committee)
- Marcus Kaul, PhD, Professor of Biomedical Sciences
- Rubie Onate, Lead Medical Assistant
The full list of the 2024 UCR SOM Faculty Achievement Awards is as follows:
Teacher of the Year Awards
Basic Science Faculty of the Year Award
This award is in recognition of outstanding teaching contributions in the area of basic science education.
Declan McCole, PhD
Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Community Faculty of the Year Award
This award is in recognition of outstanding teaching contributions by a community faculty member.
Alina Popa, MD
Clinical Professor of Health Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award is in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding teaching contributions.
Adolfo Aguilera, MD
Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards
Staff Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award
This award is in recognition of staff with excellence in promoting and advancing goals and initiatives and/or outreach/service efforts related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Stephanie Ochoa
Academic Achievement Program Coordinator, Pathway Programs
Faculty Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award
This award is in recognition of faculty with excellence in promoting and advancing goals and initiatives and/or outreach/service efforts related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Adwoa Osei, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor, Health Sciences; PRIME Director, Pediatrics Clerkship Director
Honorable Mentions: Faculty Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award
Kathleen Buckner, MPA
Toshia Yamaguchi, MD
Daniel Novak, PhD
Scott Pegan, PhD
Lisa Fortuna, MD, MPH, MDiv
Outstanding Mentor of the Year Award
This award is in recognition of faculty outstanding contributions to mentoring faculty, postdoctoral fellows, residents, and/or students.
Daniel Novak, PhD
Director, Student Scholarly Activities, SMPPH Department
Honorable Mentions: Outstanding Mentor of the Year Award 2024
Tony Lee, MD, FAAP - Department of Pediatrics
Janet Cruz, PhD - Department of Biomedical Sciences
Meera Nair, PhD - Department of Social Medicine, Population and Public Health
Rajesh Gulati, PhD - Department of Social Medicine, Population and Public Health
Rosemary Tyrrell, EdD - Department of Undergraduate Medical Education
Stephanie Handler, MD - Department of Family Medicine
Research Achievement Awards
Research Achievement Award for Outstanding Research in Population Health
Andrew Subica, PhD
Department of Social Medicine, Population and Public Health
Research Achievement Award for Outstanding Clinical Research
Lisa Fortuna, MD, MPH, MDiv
Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
Research Achievement Award for Outstanding Research in Biomedical Sciences
Nicholas DiPatrizio, PhD
Division of Biomedical Sciences
SOM Service Awards
Distinguished SOM Service to UCR Cross-Campus Community Award
In recognition of faculty who serve on campus-wide committees, and/or provide cross-campus center leadership.
Declan McCole, PhD
Department of Biomedical Sciences
SOM Junior Faculty (Assistant Professor) Distinguished Service Award
Toshia Yamaguchi, MD
Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
Clinical Faculty Awards
Excellence in Patient Care Award
Brenda Ross, MD
Division of Clinical Sciences – Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Assistant Clinical Professor
Healthcare Innovation Award
Scott Zeller, MD
Division of Clinical Sciences – Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience; Assistant Clinical Professor
Professionalism Award
Harry Dao, MD
Division of Clinical Sciences – Department of Dermatology; Assistant Clinical Professor
