Luis Garcia, MD, FACS, an acute care surgeon and clinical assistant professor in the University of Iowa Department of Surgery, has been awarded the 2017 Off-Service Faculty Teacher of the Year Award, given by the medical residents in the UI Department of Emergency Medicine.

“A large part of my time is spent with residents and medical students. This involves both formal and informal teaching in the classroom, the wards, and the operating room,” Garcia says. “It is very rewarding to be recognized for my teaching efforts.”

Garcia has been working with emergency medicine residents since arriving at the UI in 2013.

“My favorite part about teaching residents is imparting my knowledge and being able to say that I played a small part in their training. As a surgeon, it is especially rewarding to teach emergency medicine residents, because many times they are at the front line of treating surgical diseases,” Garcia says.

Garcia looks to continue teaching and inspiring residents and students, and he offers advice for those at the beginning of their medical careers:

“Find what you are passionate about, work hard, and enjoy every day,” Garcia says.