Dr. Zwischenberger presented the 2019 Schwartz Award by the Department of Surgery

By Josh Shepherd

In recognition of his significant contributions to medical and surgical education, nationally and at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Joseph Zwischenberger, chair of the UK Department of Surgery, was presented the 2019 Richard W. Schwartz Leadership in Education Award Wednesday morning, June 12. The Schwartz Award is a lifetime achievement award, the highest honor the UK Department of Surgery presents an individual faculty member for a career of excellence in surgical education. Dr. Cortney Lee, clerkship director, presented the award to Dr. Zwischenberger.

The Schwartz Award is named in honor of the late Dr. Richard W. Schwartz, a former member of the UK general surgery faculty whose passion for surgical education is recognized on a national scale. Dr. Zwischenberger, affectionately known among his colleagues and peers as Zwisch, is equally as celebrated, Dr. Lee said.

“Every conference I attend on surgical education features references to Zwisch everywhere. From conversations on the “Zwisch scale” to the latest advances of the SIMPL app – these are all a direct result of Dr. Zwischenberger’s influence on modern surgical education,” Dr. Lee said.

Zwisch introduced a conceptual model on which to assess the developing skills of surgical residents toward operative autonomy. That scale is becoming the national standard for rating residents’ progress in surgery education, she said.

As chair of the UK Department of Surgery, he has encouraged medical students to pursue surgery residency, encouraged residents to engage in research and medical device development, and provided his support to maintain the high quality of the Department’s residency and fellowship programs.

Zwisch is the 10^th member of the UK surgery faculty to receive the Schwartz Award. He will also complete his 12-year term as the UK Department of Surgery Chair in the fall.

In addition to this special honor to Dr. Zwischenberger, the Ben Eiseman Surgery Teaching Award for Excellence in Resident Education was presented to Dr. Avinash Bhakta.

The Ward O. Griffen Award Surgery Teaching Award for Excellence in Medical Student Education went to Dr. Reese Randle.

The Resident Teaching Awards for 2019 featured recognition of Dr. Dan Badia, Vascular Surgery Fellow, and the following residents in General Surgery, unless otherwise noted: