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Faculty honored for excellence in medical education

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Kristian Thomas
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Image: Elisa Zenni, MD, interim senior associate dean for educational affairs and professor of pediatrics, was awarded the 2022 Society of Teaching Scholars Lifetime Achievement Award.
Elisa Zenni, MD, interim senior associate dean for educational affairs and professor of pediatrics, was awarded the 2022 Society of Teaching Scholars Lifetime Achievement Award.
Image: Elisa Sottile, MD, is an assistant professor and associate program director for the internal medicine residency. She also serves as the director of the internal medicine student clerkship and is the recipient of the 2022 Kenneth Kellner M.D., Ph.D., Outstanding Clerkship Director Award.
Elisa Sottile, MD, is an assistant professor and associate program director for the internal medicine residency. She also serves as the director of the internal medicine student clerkship and is the recipient of the 2022 Kenneth Kellner M.D., Ph.D., Outstanding Clerkship Director Award.

UF COMJ faculty received distinguished awards at 22nd annual Celebration of Excellence in Medical Education ceremony

The University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville is proud to celebrate faculty recognized by the Society of Teaching Scholars at the UF College of Medicine in Gainesville for their contributions to medical education.

On March 15, Elisa Zenni, MD, and Elisa Sottile, MD, received awards for their achievements in medical education at the 22nd annual Celebration of Excellence in Medical Education awards ceremony.

Zenni, interim senior associate dean for educational affairs and professor of pediatrics, was awarded the 2022 Society of Teaching Scholars Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes faculty members who have distinguished themselves throughout an extended career and excelled in education research, teaching, educational administration and public service related to education. As part of the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville faculty for more than 25 years, Zenni has overseen accreditation of the college’s graduate medical education training programs, bolstered faculty development and ensured residents and fellows receive an exceptional education to promote high-quality medical care. Zenni has won awards and garnered accolades for her expertise as a medical educator and has assumed roles in leadership at the college and in national organizations.

“This is an incredible recognition and I am grateful to receive this distinguished award,” Zenni said. “I take immense pride in the work we do at the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville to educate and equip the next generation of medical professionals to excel in health care. We offer residents and fellows the opportunity to learn from the best and I’m proud to be part of their career journey.”

Sottile is an assistant professor and associate program director for the internal medicine residency. She also serves as the director of the internal medicine student clerkship and is the recipient of the 2022 Kenneth Kellner M.D., Ph.D., Outstanding Clerkship Director Award. Named after the late Dr. Kellner, the award recognizes clerkship directors who inspire medical students as he did throughout his career. Selected by fellow clerkship directors for this honor, Sottile’s work has proven invaluable among her colleagues. Sottile joined the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville more than 20 years ago and is known for her passion for coaching residents and fellows, sharing innovative ideas and volunteering for whatever is necessary to benefit the college and medical students.

“It is humbling to receive this honor,” Sottile said. “I am fortunate to work with a talented and dedicated team of people committed to fostering education and training future physicians to advance patient care.”

Linda Edwards, MD, dean of the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville says the contributions both women have made throughout their careers is worthy of recognition.

“I am elated that Drs. Zenni and Sottile have been recognized with such distinguished awards for their phenomenal work at the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville and across the entire UF Health enterprise,” Edwards said. “Their leadership, compassion and dedication set an example for our faculty, residents and fellows to follow. It is my absolute pleasure to work with these outstanding women in medicine.”

The UF College of Medicine also recognized residents who were recipients of the 2022 Society of Teaching Scholars Outstanding Resident Educator Awards.

  • Mohamad El Churafa, DO, department of anesthesiology

  • Kasondra Hartman, MD, department of emergency medicine

  • Carly Rabinowitz, MD, department of medicine

  • William Scharpf, MD, department of neurology

  • Anne Gerstner, MD, department of obstetrics and gynecology

  • Zachary Elstad, MD, department of orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation

  • Ibraheem Mohammed, MD, department of pathology and laboratory medicine

  • Folasade Aderibigbe, MD, department of pediatrics

  • Rachel Carpenter, MD, department of psychiatry 

  • Kyle Edward Romero, DO, department of radiology

  • Shaoxu Bing, MD, department of surgery

  • Seyebehzag Jazayeri, MD, department of urology