Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) is proud to acknowledge the accomplishments and efforts of faculty who excel in their role as healthcare professionals, instructors, and mentors. The University recognizes these efforts through three annual awards: the Rising Star Teaching Award, Adjunct Faculty Award, and Hartgrave’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
RISING STAR TEACHING AWARD
The Rising Star Teaching Award is given to a faculty member who has been full-time faculty for less than five years at the rank of Assistant Professor and demonstrates outcomes related to excellence in teaching. Congratulations to the 2021 Rising Star Teaching Award recipient: Wendy Chase, MA, CCC-SLP, Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor in the Master of Science in Medical Speech-Language Pathology (MS MedSLP) program.
Chase has been a full-time faculty member with the MS MedSLP program for several years and has served as the Director of Clinical Education throughout her time at RMUoHP. In addition to a track record of strong course evaluation data, a nomination letter noted that she “has developed one of the best clinical education faculties in the country…As a result, students are imbued with the most current, evidence-based supervisory input and guidance that our field offers. This in turn, makes them competitive candidates for the most coveted clinical externships both regionally and nationally.”
ADJUNCT FACULTY AWARD
The Adjunct Faculty Award publicly recognizes and acknowledges adjunct faculty, who have been with RMUoHP for a minimum of three years, for outstanding teaching. The 2021 Adjunct Faculty Award recipients are Pamela Mullens, PT, PhD, adjunct faculty for the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program, and Jan Reese, MS-ITLS, Senior Learning Designer.
Mullens has been a significant contributor to the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy in Pediatric Science program at RMUoHP for 21 years, prior to celebrating her retirement this year. She received high praise from students throughout the years, which was evidenced in her nomination letters. One student commented on the “unique opportunity to learn from a professional in our field with over 72 years of active clinical practice, teaching, and mentoring of generations of pediatric clinicians and scholars.” Additionally, “Dr. Mullens has remained steadfastly available to teach, serve on dissertation committees, and advise former students long after graduation. Her meaningful, positive, respectful, and memorable clinical and scholarly discussions with students beyond the classroom are legendary.”
Reese was nominated for this award by several faculty members and former students. Regarding her tireless work at RMUoHP, colleagues described her as “an excellent instructor with incredible insight into best practices” and “an excellent example of a consummate professional who is eager to help others elevate their teaching practices.” Her overall instructor and course evaluations are among the highest scores at the University. In addition to her role as an adjunct professor, Reese “was also instrumental in the rollout and subsequent training of all the RMUoHP employees on how to manage, organize, and effectively use Canvas [the new online student learning platform] to better teach our students.”
HARTGRAVE’S AWARD for EXCELLENCE in TEACHING
The Hartgrave’s Award for Excellence in Teaching is the highest honor designated for an active faculty member who has been at the University for at least five years. The 2021 Hartgrave’s Award for Excellence in Teaching was presented to Dr. Malissa Martin, EdD, ATC, Vice Provost of Academic Affairs, Dean of the College of Health Science and Continuous Learning, and Athletic Training Concentration Track Director for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Science program.
Since Martin joined RMUoHP in 2007, she has served in many leadership and faculty roles. She has served as the Graduate Program Director of the PhD/DSc in Athletic Training program, Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Assessment, Program Director for the DSc in Health Sciences, Associate Vice Provost for Teaching Effectiveness and Program Assessment, and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Post-Professional Programs. In addition to her administrative roles, she chairs multiple university committees and serves on administrative leadership councils. Even with her administrative roles, Martin continues to teach courses and receives continual praise and admiration from her students. One nominator stated, “she genuinely wants to help her students excel and I can tell she really cares about each of us.” Additionally, when forced into online-only learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one student said, “Dr. Martin did not skip a beat. She found other amazing ways and innovative ways to motivate us.”
Congratulations to the 2021 faculty award recipients!
