Carroll recognized for teaching by national society
GREENVILLE, N.C. (Apr. 6, 2004) — Dr. Robert G. Carroll, professor of physiology at the Brody School of Medicine, has received the highest teaching honor given by the American Physiological Society.
Carroll will be presented the Arthur C. Guyton Physiology Educator of the Year award during the society’s annual meeting April 17-21 in Washington, D.C.
Professor Robert G. Carroll
“It is an honor to receive this recognition,” said Carroll. “Physiology, which emphasizes normal body function, is a core subject in the health sciences. Physiologists have a long tradition in educating researchers and health care providers, and I am proud to be part of that tradition.”
The selection committee considered excellence in classroom teaching, commitment to the improvement of physiology teaching within the candidate’s own institution and contributions to physiology education at the community, national and international levels.
Carroll was nominated for the award by his colleague Dr. Walter N. Durán, professor of physiology and of surgery at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
“He has the ability to ask important and timely questions to analyze and evaluate what we are teaching, why a particular topic is relevant, and how we are transmitting the message to our students,” Durán wrote.
His work on training physiologists to teach led to Carroll being named coordinator and leader of the APS effort to complete the “Medical Physiology Core Learning Objectives Project.” The results of that project, which took about three years of dedicated work to reach completion, according to Durán, were approved by the Association of Chairs of Departments of Physiology and published by the APS.
Durán listed many of Carroll’s teaching accomplishments and interests, including designing, writing and evaluating multiple-choice questions. He has recently completed three years service to the USMLE Step 1 Physiology Test Material Development Committee of the National Board of Medical Examiners, Durán noted.
As recipient of the award, Carroll will receive a framed certificate, his expenses paid to attend the APS meeting and an honorarium of $1,000.
Interestingly, Carroll completed his postdoctoral training under the sponsorship of Guyton, for whom the award is named. “It seems clear that the influence of Dr. Guyton was strong in the development of Dr. Carroll as a scientist and as an educator,” Durán wrote.