Nora Gimpel, M.D., Professor of Family and Community Medicine, and Melanie S. Sulistio, M.D., Professor of Internal Medicine, have been recognized for their exceptional teaching and mentorship with Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards from the University of Texas System.  

Drs. Gimpel and Sulistio were among 14 UT System educators chosen to receive 2023 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards (ROTA). With their selection, 57 UTSW faculty members have received this honor to date.

The recipients, selected for their innovative instructional ideas and outstanding classroom performance, each receive a medallion and $25,000 cash prize. They were recognized by the Board of Regents during the Nov. 16 board meeting. The ROTA was established in 2008.

“Dr. Gimpel and Dr. Sulistio are exemplary educators who each bring a unique and focused perspective to teaching and mentorship, and we are delighted that the Board of Regents has recognized their commitment to preparing a future generation of physicians and scientists,” said W. P. Andrew Lee, M.D., Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost, and Dean of UT Southwestern Medical School.

Dr. Nora Gimpel

Dr. Gimpel, also Vice Chair for Community Health and a Distinguished Teaching Professor, has a longtime dedication to increasing access to health care for underserved populations. She said having medical trainees serve in community-based health programs broadens their understanding of the social and cultural elements of disease. Over nearly two decades, she has developed strong ties with more than 30 community health care partners.

“My goal as an educator is to inspire others to think about medicine as the art of compassionate care and social interaction. I teach the scientific and social aspects of medicine and I intend to create environments where learners are inspired to think critically,” Dr. Gimpel said.

“To that end, one of the teaching approaches I use is integrated learner- and teacher-centered, emphasizing the learners’ self-motivation and autonomy,” she said.

Born into a family of teachers, Dr. Gimpel said she was motivated by individuals who had a passion for education.

“Considering the current health inequalities and disparities, I strongly believe in an integrated educational approach emphasizing the importance of biological, psychological, and social determinants of health.”

Dr. Gimpel directs the Community Action Research Track (CART) training program in Community Health within the Department of Family and Community Medicine.

“All educational approaches that I have implemented incorporate community-based principles combining learning, service, and research toward the goal of improving health outcomes, especially among underserved populations,” she said.

Dr. Melanie S. Sulistio

Dr. Sulistio’s passion for teaching stems from a love of practicing medicine and a desire to promote humanity because “our world has become so divided,” she said. “We are in a humanity crisis. If any profession should be the example of humanity, it should be those of us in medicine.”

Her work includes a humanity lecture series for Cardiology fellows and bedside teaching and lectures for residents, medical students, pharmacists, and community members on cardio-palliative care and communication skills. Her work also includes faculty development workshops on medical education, inclusion, communication skills, and end-of-life issues in cardiology.

The best teachers, she said, are patients.

“Medicine is a perfect marriage between science and humanity. There is always a strong focus on the science aspect of medicine. It’s my mission to focus on and promote compassionate and patient-centered care,” she said.

Over the years, Dr. Sulistio has held several educational leadership roles at UT Southwestern, including Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program, Medical Student Educational Director for Cardiology, Associate Program Director for the Cardiovascular Fellowship, co-Director of the Internal Medicine Simulation Program, and Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

“I was delighted, though not surprised, to learn of Dr. Sulistio receiving a prestigious Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award. She has a long-standing track record of excellence in teaching and is most worthy of this recognition. Her efforts to emphasize humanity in medicine already have inspired so many of her students and trainees,” said Mark Drazner, M.D., Professor of Internal Medicine and the Clinical Chief of Cardiology.