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Inaugural class of Academy of Upstate Educators announced

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- Upstate Medical University has announced its inaugural class of the Academy of Upstate Educators, which features a cross-section of faculty representing numerous academic and clinical specialties.

They are: Kwame Amankwah, MD, Surgery, College of Medicine; Dale Avers, PT, DPT, PhD, Physical Therapy Education, College of Health Professions; Ann Botash, MD, Pediatrics, College of Medicine; Margaret Maimone, PhD, Cell and Developmental Biology, College of Medicine; Sue Miller, PT, DPT, MS, Physical Therapy Education; Jennifer Moffat, PhD, Microbiology and Immunology, College of Graduate Studies; Carol Recker-Hughes, PT, Physical Therapy Education, College of Health Professions; and Margaret Wells, PhD, APN-BC, College of Nursing.

The announcement of the academy’s first eight members was made by Paula Trief, PhD, professor and senior associate dean for faculty affairs and faculty development.

“These eight individuals have been leaders in, and made major contributions to, Upstate’s educational mission,” Trief said. “They are innovative educators, who as members of the Academy will serve as key resources to colleagues for education-related consultations.”

Now that the inaugural class has been selected, Trief said four new faculty members will be inducted to the Academy each year going forward.

According to Trief, the idea of the Academy, to recognize excellent educators and to promote educational innovation, was raised first through President David R. Smith’s Engaging Excellence program. After a great deal of discussion with faculty members, faculty governance groups, chairs, deans, and administrators who recognized the value of such an initiative the current model was developed

Members of the Academy will be recognized during Upstate’s Fall Faculty convocation Sept. 19.

Caption: From left, Carol Recker-Hughes, Sue Miller and Dale Avers of the College of Health Professions are among the eight faculty members selected to the inaugural class of the Academy of Upstate Educators.

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