The first person in the award's 13-year history to earn the prestigious prize twice, Tormey was recognized for overseeing the development of new curriculum for medical students. Metten was honored for planning new curriculum that integrates histology and anatomy.
The Kaiser Foundation established the award to recognize medical faculty who have:
- Carried an exceptional teaching load over the years with sustained excellence.
- Demonstrated educational innovation.
- Managed an educational component with skill, enthusiasm and success.
- Played a key role in interdepartmental educational planning.
Awardees receive a $1,500 grant from the Kaiser Foundation, and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA will add their names to the Distinguished Educators Wall at the school's entrance to pay tribute to their teaching contributions.
The selection process is a rigorous one. A committee composed of previous winners reviews dossiers submitted for each candidate. Selection criteria include sizable impact on the medical school, exceptional commitment, student recognition and educational innovativeness. Candidates are nominated by their peers.
"We could not be successful without the enthusiastic devotion to our most basic responsibility � the education of young physicians," said Dr. Alan Robinson, UCLA vice provost for medical education. "We are a 'school' above all else, and education is our top priority."
Other 2004 awardees included Dr. Wendy Coates, associate professor of emergency medicine and Dr. Christian de Virgilio, associate professor of surgery, both at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center; Dr. Lorraine Williams-Smith, assistant professor of otolaryngology at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science; Dr. Bojan Cercek, professor of medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; and Dr. Soma Wali, assistant clinical professor of internal medicine at Olive View UCLA Medical Center.