Exceptional Teachers
We are interested in collecting your stories about faculty members, residents, nurses, or anyone else, who have impacted or influenced you in a significant way. Please tell us about what those teachers did that resulted in an exceptional educational experience and how it changed you.
April 2025 Clerkship Submissions
Below are the exceptional teacher recognitions shared with the Learning Environment Advocacy Committee this rotation. Thank you to these faculty for providing a great experience for our students.
Emergency Medicine
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Family and Community Medicine
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Internal Medicine
- (Resident) Kristen (Alora) Ricker, MD – Dr. Ricker was an incredible resident to work with. From the moment I started on the rotation, she welcomed me into the team and provided a positive and safe learning environment. She consistently supported the students by checking in with us regarding if there was anything we needed help with or if there was anything that had not quite clicked with us - when there was, she would teach us at a very appropriate level. At the same time, she challenged us to continue to grow as future physicians, having us work toward our own answers to the patient's care rather than just giving us an "answer key." It was very easy to work with Dr. Ricker, and she always remained incredibly on top of all of the needs of the patients and those of the medical team.
- (Resident) Benjamin Bailey, MD – Dr. Ben Bailey was an amazing senior. I am lucky to have worked with him! He was thoughtful in everything he did. He assigned us medical students patients that he thought would make interesting learning cases. He sent me research papers related to patients I had. He took time to do an echo with me. He was always patient with my many questions and gave thoughtful and thorough answers. He is able to explain complicated topics in an understandable way. Most importantly, he always made me feel like a respected and valued member of the team, which means so much to a med student!
Neurology
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OB-GYN
- (Resident) Kyle Nolan, MD – Dr. Nolan did a fantastic job of including me in direct patient care experiences. They clearly stated expectations and guided me through achieving those expectations. They exhibited great patience and kindness not only to patients but also students. They always went out of their way to explain difficult concepts, even when they were not prompted to do so.
- (Resident) Zoe Henkes, MD – Dr. Zoe Henkes took so much time (while still maintaining efficiency) to explain concepts to me and quiz me on my knowledge to challenge me and help me through the material of this block. Besides that, she has an incredible balance of professionalism and approachability which makes her stand out as a true model intern.
Pediatrics
- (Resident) Abundance Hunt, DO – Dr. Hunt is an exceptional example for students. She is thorough with her patients' care, thinks critically about balancing all aspects of their conditions, and is a comforting and joyous presence to both patients and their families. I admired how eloquently she speaks to families about their kids' healthcare, and how she is always able to meet a family where they are. I also appreciated how well she taught students. She was able to explain conditions from levels as zoomed-in as the basic science level, where we were most likely to understand, and incorporate those topics into the larger clinical pictures.
- (Internal Medicine Attending – Pediatrics Clerkship) Anne M. Laverty, MD, MEd – Dr. Laverty is the greatest attending of all time-the pinnacle of pediatrics. She is an incredible teacher who truly engages students and residents, advocates for our learning, and constantly gives us opportunities to improve our presentations and physical exam skills. She provides excellent, pertinent feedback and actively asks us what areas we want to work on, then helps us improve. Her lectures are tailored to what we request, making every teaching moment valuable. She is simply the best, and I feel so lucky to have learned from her.
Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine
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Radiology
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Surgery
- (Resident) Grey Klosinski, DO – Dr. Grey Klosinski is a fantastic resident whose commitment to teaching left a profound impact on my rotation. They seamlessly integrated education into clinical practice, turning even the busiest moments into valuable learning opportunities. They were proactive in involving me in patient care, ensuring I had hands-on experience while providing guidance and constructive feedback. What truly set him apart was their unwavering dedication to procedural skill development. They made a concerted effort to ensure I was not only observing but actively participating in procedures, tailoring their teaching to my level and providing step-by-step guidance. They took the time to assess my technique, offering personalized feedback that helped refine my skills and build confidence. Their commitment didn't stop at the bedside or in the operating room; Dr. Klosinski checked in on my progress daily, ensuring I was improving and reinforcing key concepts to solidify my learning. Dr. Klosinski's mentorship made a lasting impression, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have learned from them and wouldn't hesitate at the opportunity to do so again.
- (Resident) Jared Gordon, MD – Dr. Jared Gordon is the doctor I want to be when I grow up. He is kind to everyone- the patients and everyone on the team. He has a level of professionalism I can only ever hope to reflect. He is smart and enthusiastic about learning; he reminded me why I liked medicine in the first place. I have not met another resident or attending actually so excited to learn and seek out learning opportunities as Dr. Gordon, he is not just here to get the job done, he is here to really become better.
- (Emergency Medicine Resident – Surgery Clerkship) Andrea Klein, MD, MPH – Dr. Andrea Klein is an exceptional EM resident with whom I had the privilege of working during my surgery rotation. Although our interactions were brief, they left a lasting impression. She demonstrated remarkable professionalism, knowledge, and a genuine commitment to patient care. They were approachable, eager to teach, and took the time to ensure I understood key concepts, even in a busy clinical environment.
- (Attending) Arnold Salzberg, MD - Dr. Arnold Salzberg is a phenomenal surgeon who created exceptional learning opportunities during my rotation. Their surgical expertise was evident in the operating room, where they balanced efficiency with an impressive commitment to teaching. Dr. Salzberg took the time to explain procedures step by step, encouraged hands-on participation when appropriate, and provided clear, constructive feedback that helped me improve my skills. They cultivated a focused environment, making even complex cases an invaluable learning experience. Their dedication to sharing their knowledge and ensuring I gained meaningful exposure to surgical care was excellent.
- (Attending) Matthew Joy, MD - Dr. Matthew Joy provided an incredible learning experience by allowing me to stay for their portion of the case and actively incorporating me into the educational aspects of the procedure. Their willingness to teach, explain key surgical techniques, and engage me in discussions about anatomy and decision-making made for an invaluable experience. They fostered a welcoming and supportive environment in the OR, encouraging questions and ensuring I took away meaningful lessons from the case. I truly appreciated their dedication to medical education and their patience in sharing their expertise. It was an honor to learn from them.