Faculty Awards Nomination Criteria
Awards Criteria
UICOMP Annual Faculty Awards
Awards:
- UICOMP Faculty of the Year – one recipient
- UICOMP Outstanding Research – generally one to three recipients
- UICOMP Outstanding Service – generally one to three recipients
- UICOMP Outstanding Teaching – generally one to three recipients
- UICOMP Outstanding Clinical, Technological, or Scholarly Achievements Applied to Medical Research – one recipient
- UICOMP Outstanding Teaching and Service Award for Community-Based Faculty
(this award is to recognize our volunteer or non-salaried faculty) – generally one to three recipients
Important to Note Regarding Nominators / Nominees:
- Members of the Committee on Faculty Fellowships and Awards are ineligible to nominate or be a nominee during the term of their service on the Committee.
- Faculty may nominate a faculty member for more than one award and/or nominate more than one faculty member for a particular award.
- Academic Professionals must hold an academic title in order to nominate or be a nominee.
- Candidates for the community-based award may include faculty based some distance from Peoria if they are teaching and providing service to UICOMP medical students or residents.
Selection Process:
- Selection of award winners is completed by the UICOMP Committee on Faculty, Fellowship and Awards.
- The chosen faculty will be recognized at one of three annual award celebrations (Research Day, Service Appreciation and Recognition Awards, or Celebration of Excellence).
Criteria to Consider for Each Award Category:
In preparing faculty award nominations, you may wish to consider the following criteria. They are listed only as suggestions. Each nomination will be considered on its own individual merit and weight.
UICOM-P Faculty of the Year:
Research:
- Research manuscripts published or in press
- Editorial board membership of specialty journals
- Invitations to speak on research topics
- Receipt of distinguished awards/prizes
- Ad hoc reviewer of manuscripts for specialty journals
- Relevance/impact of research investigations
- Research grants awarded
- Membership or ad hoc participation on study sections/review panels
- Involvement within professional societies or federal or national organizations
- Interdepartmental collaborative research
Service:
- Committee/service work at a variety of levels (patients, students, community, national,international)
- Administrative responsibilities
- Non-University professional activities
- Student and related services
- Recognition for service and special contributions
- Patient care services
Teaching:
- Enthusiasm in teaching
- Involves others in learning process/Mentoring
- Advisor/counselor
- Feedback to students/residents/fellows
- Curriculum Development/Educational Research
- Innovative methods of teaching and evaluation
- Extent and duration of teaching activity
- Quality of trainee evaluations
UICOM-P Outstanding Research:
- Research manuscripts published or in press
- Editorial board membership of specialty journals
- Invitations to speak
- Receipt of distinguished awards
- Relevance/impact of research investigations
- Research grants
- Membership or ad hoc participation on study sections/review panels
- Involvement in professional societies or federal or national organizations
- Interdepartmental collaborative research
UICOM-P Outstanding Service:
- Service work at a variety of levels (patients, students, community, national/ international)
- Administrative responsibilities
- Service recognition awards
- Non-University professional activities
UICOM-P Outstanding Teaching:
- Enthusiasm/Innovative Methods
- Involves others in learning process/Mentoring
- Curriculum Development/Educational Research
- Student Assessments
- Extent and duration of teaching activity
- Quality of trainee evaluations
UICOM-P Outstanding Clinical, Technological, or Scholarly Achievements Applied to Medical
Research:
- Implementation of Research Protocols Conceived and Designed by parties other than the nominee
- Principal Investigator Status on IRB or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approved protocols
- Documented identification of unanticipated beneficial or adverse effects
- Presentations of data at national scientific meetings
- Named by authors of a peer-reviewed publication as an investigation participant
- Status as an author
- Methodological or technological improvements
UICOM-P Outstanding Teaching & Service Award for Community Based Faculty:
(this award is to recognize our volunteer or non-salaried faculty)
- Demonstrates and provides high quality education experience
- Role model for the learner
- Active department service in the community
Endowed Outstanding Educator Awards
Endowed Outstanding Educator Awards
Awards:
- Dr. Sara Rusch and Dr. Thomas Cusack Outstanding Educator Award
- Dr. C. William Gibson Outstanding Educator Award
(Preference shall be given to faculty who are impacting the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology) - Teaching Excellence & Faculty Enhancement Award
(Preference shall be given to faculty who are collaborating with Carle Health System)
Goal of Endowed Outstanding Educator Awards:
The primary goal is to recognize faculty who have made significant contributions to medical education (UME and GME) at UICOMP. Faculty selected for this recognition should have advanced the careers of the UICOMP learners through curriculum development, teaching excellence, educational leadership, and mentorship.
The revenue from the endowment should support the educational work of the chosen faculty member. The support for educational work can include but is not limited to faculty development opportunities, fund materials needed for a curricular innovations, statistical support etc. The educational work or project of the chosen faculty member must align with UICOMP UME and/or GME curricula. The Regional Dean shall authorize the use of the funds consistent with University rules.
Criteria for nomination:
- UICOMP Faculty for a minimum of 3 years. Faculty may be full time, part time or volunteer status and are evaluated on their contributions, not their rank or employment status.
- The successful nominee must:
- Have made a significant impact on medical education at UICOMP, performing above what is expected for their salaried roles and responsibilities. Their impact can be across the entire medical education continuum or be an in-depth impact in a particular area, Examples of these impact/contributions include:
- Educational leadership role (e.g.: course director, program director) that has demonstrated strong educational outcomes (program evaluation; improvement in test performance).
- Evidence of exceptional teaching performance (based on evaluation scores; student/resident letters of support).
- Educational innovations leading to recognition and/or publication.
- Sustained mentorship advancing student/resident interest in the faculty member’s field of interest.
- The nominee must demonstrate a commitment to training excellent physicians by providing the learners with knowledge, interpersonal skills, clinical skills and/or community engagement.
- The nominee must demonstrate standards of professional ethics. They should be committed to the well-being of the learners and serve as role models to the next generation of physicians.
- Have made a significant impact on medical education at UICOMP, performing above what is expected for their salaried roles and responsibilities. Their impact can be across the entire medical education continuum or be an in-depth impact in a particular area, Examples of these impact/contributions include:
Selection Process:
- The number of faculty chosen and amount of support will be determined by the committee based on the dollar amount available from the endowment.
- The chosen faculty will be recognized at the annual Celebration of Excellence.
- Selection committee:
- The initial committee will include Dr. Rusch, Dr. Cusack, Regional Dean, Associate Dean for Academic
Affairs, Associate Dean for GME, and Assistant Dean for Faculty Development/Affairs. - The winner of the award will become part of the selection committee for a period of three years.
- The initial committee will include Dr. Rusch, Dr. Cusack, Regional Dean, Associate Dean for Academic
DR. DENNISON AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN RURAL MEDICINE
Goal:
Recognizing and supporting the efforts of medical residents and fellows who demonstrate a keen interest and active involvement in rural medicine. By awarding those dedicated to serving underserved populations, the award aims to encourage continued commitment to improving healthcare outcomes in these communities.
The Donors prefer awards be substantial enough to make an impact on the recipients’ household finances. Awards will be approximately $5,000 at the time of this original gift but may increase over time to adjust for inflation and/or additional contributions to the Fund.
Guidelines for nominations:
- Eligible candidates must present a well-documented history of involvement in rural medicine which may include, but is not limited to, clinical rotations in rural areas, participation in rural health outreach programs, or research focused on rural health challenges, demonstrating their impact and dedication to rural health.
- The selection criteria will also examine the candidate’s leadership potential and impact within the rural healthcare community. Excellence in clinical skills, empathy, and the capacity to overcome challenges associated with rural healthcare settings will all be considered. Additionally, candidates should exhibit strong communication skills and a collaborative spirit, essential for working in interdisciplinary teams often found in rural health settings.
- Preference may be given to those with additional circumstances/expenses above and beyond typical residents or fellows (e.g. has dependents, is caring for a family member, experiencing personal hardship, etc.) This is not a requirement for the award.
- Recipients may receive the award more than once.
Nominations require:
- A letter outlining the nominee’s particular qualifications for an award. Please reference the guidelines above for consideration. These are only suggestions–not mandatory requirements. However, your nomination letter will be the major source of information for the committee’s consideration.
- A letter completed by the nominee describing their commitment to rural medicine- up to 500 words
- A copy of the nominee’s up-to-date Curriculum Vitae.
- Any other information you find may be helpful to the selection process.
Selection Process:
- Request for nomination will be the same time as the faculty teaching awards
- For the 2025/2026 Award cycle, we can award up to 2 recipients, $5,000 each for a total of $10,000.
- The Regional Dean shall authorize use of the funds consistent with University rules.
- The chosen recipients will be recognized at the annual Celebration of Excellence.
Dr. Dennison Award for Excellence In Rural Medicine
Born in 1936 in Kankakee, Illinois, Dr. Ronald “Ron” D. Dennison was the first in his family to attend college. Together with his wife, Cynthia “Cyndi” M. Dennison (née Strasma), he overcame significant financial hardship while raising a young child and pursuing his dream of becoming a physician. Dr. Dennison went on to practice for decades in Elgin, Illinois, where he cared for countless patients with dedication, professionalism, and compassion. His lifelong goal was to alleviate the pain of others.
Dr. Dennison quietly lived his Christian faith and embodied his motto: Do your very best for the people you’re serving. His life and example inspired his two sons and grandson to follow in his footsteps and become physicians.
The Dennison family honors his legacy by establishing this award to recognize outstanding medical doctors who have demonstrated a strong commitment to serving their rural communities. We hope this monetary award will help generations of physicians by easing the financial challenges they face early in their medical careers, especially those with young families.