Each year medical students nominate and present the Distinguished Service Teaching Awards (DSTAs) to faculty and house staff in appreciation of exemplary service in medical student education. On Tuesday, April 15, Washington University School of Medicine presented the 2025 Distinguished Service Teaching Awards. The Department of Surgery was recognized with four DSTAs in the 2024-2025 academic year by phase 2 medical students.
- Clinical Educator of the Year (Resident): Abby Chmiel, MD (PGY-2)
- DSTA for Inclusion (Attending): Susan Mackinnon, MD
- DSTA for Inclusion (Resident): Joe Banton, MD (PGY-2)
- DSTA for Clinical Care (Resident): Faiz Gani, MD (PGY-5)
The awards ceremony was held at the main auditorium at the Eric P. Newman Education Center. The ceremony opened with a welcome message from Eva Aagaard, MD, Dean for Education at WashU Medicine.
“The Distinguished Service Teaching Awards is an event that recognizes our outstanding teachers who do so much to create a spirit of learning, fostering a community that allows medical students to grow and excel,” said Aagaard, senior associate dean for education and vice chancellor for medical education.
Honorees were presented with their award and invited to address an audience of their colleagues from the podium. Phase 2 awards were presented by Brian Dineen, the medical education representative for the class of 2026, and Joey Krambs, the class president.
Chmiel was previously recognized with the SAFE (Supporting a Fair Environment) accolade in 2024. The SAFE initiative was established to improve the learning environment among trainees at WashU Medicine by promoting positive professional conduct.
“This is very meaningful to me,” said Chmiel. “Seeing the medical students is one of the brightest parts of my day-to-day. I came to an academic institution because I love medical students, and I love teaching. Thank you for making every day fun and exciting, even when I’m tired, even when I’m stressed.”
In 2024 Mackinnon was installed as the Minot Packer Fryer Professor of Plastic Surgery. Her career in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery spans three decades of distinguished leadership and surgical innovation.
“This is wonderful,” said Mackinnon. “I remember when I was a medical student thinking ‘this medical school, I’m the product they produce!’” She continued, “This award for inclusion represents a sort of pipeline from the concept of inclusion to belonging, to connection—which makes us human. That connection is happiness and joy—oxytocin. And just beyond that is high performance and innovation. This is a foundational award. I’m so grateful.”
Banton entered the general surgery residency program after earning his medical degree from WashU Medicine.
“As a former WashU medical student, I wanted to make a point when I became a resident to include medical students to feel comfortable in the space that we occupy,” said Banton. “It means a lot to me to be able to include medical students in our residency program and give them opportunities to learn in a clinical space.”
Gani has been accepted into a surgical oncology fellowship at the Sidney Kimmel comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.
“Thank you for bestowing me with this honor,” said Gani. “This is certainly a highlight of my time at WashU. I’m very grateful.” He continued, “I think academic surgery is very special—it’s the best job in the world, in my opinion. We get to help people when they’re at their most vulnerable and have a very direct impact on their wellbeing. Not to understate our indirect impact through research and improving outcomes of individuals we will never get to meet in life. Something that to me is more valuable in our day-to-day is teaching and mentoring the next generation.”
“I have always leaned on the curiosity, the enthusiasm and the hunger to learn from all the learners, specifically the medical students, that serve as a daily reminder of how special our work is every day,” said Gani.
Medical students at WashU Medicine vote and present the Distinguished Service Teaching Awards each year. Faculty and residents in the Department of Surgery are a constant fixture in this annual recognition ceremony. Honorees include professors and residents whose bespoke careers attest to the institution’s dedication to higher learning and excellent patient care.