Celebrating excellence: UM educators honoured with the inaugural Max Rady College of Medicine education awards
The first-ever Max Rady College of Medicine education awards were introduced this year to recognize excellence and commitment to medical education.
The six annual awards honour the college’s most outstanding teachers, educational researchers and leaders for their exceptional skill, dedication and impact in pre-clinical teaching, clinical teaching, graduate education, postgraduate medical education, educational scholarship and educational leadership.
While undergraduate medical students have long celebrated faculty members through the annual Teacher Recognition and Manitoba Medical Students’ Association (MMSA) Awards dinner, Dr. Sara Israels, associate dean (academic affairs), said these new awards honour teachers and leaders across all of the college’s educational programs, reflecting appreciation from the wider college community.
Israels co-chairs the awards with Dr. Joanne Hamilton, associate professor and the college’s director of innovation and scholarship in medical education.
“It shows you what fantastic educators we have and how much they are appreciated by their students and colleagues,” said Israels. “It’s very important to recognize our great educators — they are key to the development of the next generation of health-care professionals, scientists and leaders in health and wellness.”
With 29 nominations across the six categories received for the first year the awards were offered, Israels said the response highlights the enthusiasm for celebrating teaching excellence in the college.
Excellence in pre-clinical teaching: Dr. Jason Peeler
Dr. Jason Peeler, associate professor in human anatomy and cell science, brings expertise in gross anatomy and is a certified athletic therapist (CAT(C)). He specializes in teaching musculoskeletal (MSK) anatomy and clinical concepts relevant to MSK medicine and rehabilitation. He has directed the undergraduate medical education (UGME) MSK course since 2010.
Peeler is recognized for his dedication to enhancing teaching and learning in the classroom. His ability to build a strong foundation of knowledge and skills prepares learners for academic and clinical success. Known for his approachability, Peeler fosters curiosity and inquiry, creating a rich, supportive and student-centred learning environment.
Excellence in clinical teaching: Dr. Ronak Patel
Dr. Ronak Patel, associate professor in clinical health psychology (CHP) and board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, provides neuropsychological assessment and intervention across Manitoba. He developed TEAM (Training of Executive Attention and Memory), a group-based cognitive rehabilitation program for individuals with neurological conditions.
Patel regularly supervises graduate students and trainees, and is recognized for integrating clinical teaching into meaningful learning experiences. Through constructive feedback, exemplary role-modelling and a supportive approach, he creates an environment where learners feel valued, challenged and inspired to grow.
Excellence in graduate education: Dr. Zulma Rueda
Dr. Zulma Rueda, associate professor in medical microbiology and infectious diseases, leads the Exposome Lab where she supervises graduate students conducting research on tuberculosis (TB), pneumonia, HIV and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs). A clinician-epidemiologist, she is Canada Research Chair in sexually transmitted infection resistance and control.
Rueda is recognized for blending innovative teaching with strong mentorship — preparing students to become leaders and changemakers. Her collaborative research and community-focused training foster a rich, culturally respectful and empowering learning environment.
Listen to Rueda’s podcast interview: Https://soundcloud.com/user-385073136/dr-zulma-rueda-mrcm-medical-education-award-for-excellence-in-graduate-education
Excellence in postgraduate medical education: Dr. Sean Udow
Dr. Sean Udow is the program director for the Neurology Residency Program and course director for the pre-clerkship neurosciences course with the UGME program. He is also the medical co-director of the Movement Disorders Clinic.
Recognized for his unwavering commitment to the neurology residency program that has driven transformative change, Udow’s nominators praised his collaborative leadership style, innovative strategies for continuous improvement and dedication to building a strong sense of community.
Listen to Udow’s podcast interview: Https://soundcloud.com/user-385073136/dr-sean-udow-mrcm-medical-education-award-for-excellence-in-residency-education
Excellence in educational scholarship: Dr. Lawrence Gillman
Dr. Lawrence Gillman, associate professor in surgery, is an acute care/trauma surgeon and intensivist. His research focuses on stress and simulation — including multi-disciplinary crisis, virtual reality (VR) and AI applications. He directs the Clinical Learning and Simulation Program and co-founded the RadyVerse VR Program at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. He also created the national Simulated Trauma and Resuscitation Team Training (STARTT) course and is editor of Trauma Team Dynamics.
Gillman is recognized for his influential scholarship in simulation-based education. Nominators praised his collaborative research style, ability to unite disciplines and commitment to advancing education locally and internationally.
Listen to Gillman’s podcast interview: https://soundcloud.com/user-385073136/dr-lawrence-gillman-mrcm-medical-education-award-for-excellence-in-educational-scholarship
Excellence in educational leadership: Dr. Ashley Vergis
Dr. Ashley Vergis, professor of surgery, leads endoscopy training and the fellowship in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery. He is part of the surgical teams at St. Boniface and Victoria General hospitals and is a leader for the provincial bariatric surgery and surgical peritoneal dialysis programs. His research focuses on surgical education, communication platforms and bariatric surgery outcomes.
Recognized for his sustained leadership in simulation and minimally invasive surgery education, Vergis is praised by his nominators as a gifted teacher, wise mentor, visionary leader and impactful scholar.