2011 Apple Awards Recognize Outstanding Teachers

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but a gold or silver apple a year identifies outstanding faculty at the University of Cincinnati College Of Medicine.

For over four decades, UC medical students have upheld the tradition of giving "apples” to recognize their favorite teachers. The awards program was established in 1968 by the Pi Kappa Epsilon fraternity. The intent is to give the students the chance to recognize professors who had the most impact on their medical career—and life path—by serving as excellent instructors and mentors.

Third and fourth-year class award selections for 2011 were:

David Fischer, MD, director of the division of general surgery, has been selected to receive the Golden Apple.

Thomas DeHoop, MD, obstetrics and gynecology, and John Quinlan, MD, neurology, will be awarded Silver Apples.

Second-year selections for 2011 were:

Gregory Retzinger, MD, PhD, a professor in the department of pathology and laboratory medicine, received a Golden Apple.

Bruce Giffin, PhD, vice chair of the department of medical education, received a Silver Apple. Giffin is also director of the UC Body Donation Program and course director for gross anatomy and brain and behavior.

Silver Apples were also awarded to:

John Quinlan, MD, a professor in the department of neurology, and Laura Wexler, MD, a professor in the department of internal medicine's division of cardiology who retired as senior associate dean for student affairs and admissions July 1, 2011.

David Pettigrew, PhD, field service assistant professor in the department of medical education, received a Golden Apple.

Donald Lowrie Jr., PhD, field service assistant professor in the department of medical eduation, and John Quinlan, MD, a professor in the department of neurology, received Silver Apples.

The third and fourth-year Apple Awards were presented on Honors Day, Sunday, May 22. The event was held at 1 p.m. at the Aronoff Center for the Arts. This year’s main speaker was Martin Samuels, MD, DSc(hon), chairman, department of neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and professor of neurology, Harvard Medical School. The graduating student speaker was Travis Howard.

First and second-year Apple Awards were presented at the student Clinicians Ceremony on June 28, 2011. 

For more information, contact IvaDean Lair at ivadean.lair@uc.eduor (513) 558-5577.