Laila Dahmoush, Clinical Professor of Pathology, received the “Frank A. Mitros Excellence in Teaching and Clinical Service Award” in early August. This award is presented annually to a clinical faculty member who provides outstanding performance in both the clinical and educational missions of the Department after nomination by peers.
One of Dr. Dahmoush’s nominators stated that she “provides the backbone of urologic pathology at UIHC. She manages the Urology Tumor Board singlehandedly and is the go-to person for the pathology faculty as well as the urologists and urology oncologists when tough problems arise in urologic oncologic pathology. She is able to also singlehandedly manage all the cytology services at the VA hospital in addition to providing frozen section coverage in the mornings on a daily basis. Her large external consult service also points to her acknowledged expertise in the community. Her signout sessions with residents and fellows are always lively with educational points brought up on all cases. She is also a stickler for exact pathology descriptions, leading to the teaching of how to issue first rate pathology reports.”
Dr. Mitros was delighted to hear that she was the recipient this year and stated that “it was apparent from when she first arrived that her clinical competence was matched by her ability and enthusiasm for teaching. The latter, enthusiasm, is as important as competence, and is one that cannot be faked. It is a valuable possession with great benefits for the one being taught…as well as for the one doing the teaching! It was a joy to hear her with residents, externs, and students working at the multi-headed microscope, leading the students towards establishing a diagnosis – and then giving them insight into the method of doing so…and finally impressing upon them what that diagnosis meant for the care of the patient.”
Previous year’s winners were Bob Robinson 2013, Nancy Rosenthal 2014, Matthew Krasowski 2015, and Chris Jensen 2016. We are thankful and honored to have such valued clinicians and teachers working alongside us.
Congratulations, Dr. Dahmoush!