Past Award Winners
2019 Awards
Early Career Educator Award in Health Sciences Education
Jeffrey Horn, MD
Dr. Horn received his degree in medicine from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City in 2011 after playing professional baseball for the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves organizations. He completed an internal medicine internship at the University of Utah School of Medicine in 2012 and anesthesiology residency at the University of Utah Sc... Read More
Specialties: Anesthesiology
Residency: University of Utah
Medical School: University of Utah School of Medicine
Meghan M. O'Connor, MD
Dr. O’Connor completed her medical degree at Indiana University School of Medicine. She then moved to Utah where she completed her pediatric residency at Primary Children’s Hospital. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the division of General Pediatrics at the University of Utah. Dr. O’Connor is a general pediatrician who ... Read More
Specialties: General Pediatrics
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Residency: University of Utah
Outstanding Educator Award of Health Science Graduate Students
Outstanding Educator Award of Health Science Professional Students
Interprofessional Team Award
Michael J. Battistone, MD
Michael Battistone, MD, is an Associate Professor at the George E. Whalen Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System. As an internist and rheumatologist, his clinical interests include the evaluation and management of shoulder pain and knee pain in the ambulatory setting, and in caring for patients with osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arth... Read More
Specialties: General Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Fellowship: University of Utah School of Medicine
Residency: University of Utah School of Medicine
Medical School: Duke University
Andrea M. Barker, MPAS, PA-C
Specialties: Physician Assistant
Marissa P. Grotzke, MD
Dr. Grotzke received her degree from University of Colorado-Denver. She received training in medicine and endocrinology from University of Edinburgh and University of Utah School of Medicine.... Read More
Specialties: Endocrinology & Metabolism, Transgender Health
Fellowship: University of Utah School of Medicine
Medical School: MOI University Medical School
Residency: University of Utah School of Medicine
Medical School: University of Edinburgh
Medical School: University of Colorado - Denver
Curry L. Koening, MD, MS
Curry Koening, M.D., M.S., is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Utah and Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Koening is a Rheumatologist whose primary clinical interest is in vasculitis. Dr. Koening received his M.D. degree from Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine in 2000. He completed ... Read More
Specialties: Rheumatology, Vasculitis
Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic Center for Vasculitis Care and Research
Fellowship: University of Utah School of Medicine
Residency: University of Utah School of Medicine
Medical School: Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine
Scott P. Swasey, DO
Specialties: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Fellowship: University of Missouri
Residency: University of Missouri
Medical School: Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Grant W. Cannon, MD
Grant W. Cannon is Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah and Associate Chief of Staff for Academic Affiliations at the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System. He received his education and postgraduate training at the University of Utah, completing his Doctor of Medicine Degree in 1979, Internal Medicine Residency in 198... Read More
Specialties: Rheumatology
Fellowship: University of Utah School of Medicine
Residency: University of Utah School of Medicine
Medical School: University of Utah Hospital School of Medicine
2018 Awards
Early Career Educator Award in Health Sciences
Joni A. Hemond, MD, FAAP
Joni Hemond, MD is an Assistant Professor of General Pediatrics at the University of Utah School of Medicine and Primary Children´s Medical Center. She is also the Medical Director for the Teen Mother and Child Program/Teen Health Clinic which is located at the South Main Public Health Center. Dr. Hemond is a general pediatrician who sees infants, ... Read More
Specialties: General Pediatrics
Residency: University of Utah School of Medicine
Medical School: Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Brigitte K. Smith, MD
Brigitte Smith, M.D. is an Assistant Professor of Vascular Surgery, the Acting Program Director for the Vascular Surgery Fellowship and Vice Chair of Education for the Department of Surgery. She grew up in Wisconsin and received her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, Wisconsin. ... Read More
Specialties: Varicose Veins, Vascular Surgery, Venous Insufficiency
Residency: University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics
Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Outstanding Educator Award of Health Sciences Graduate Students
Jim Sibthorp, PhD
Title: Director of Graduate Studies, Parks, Recreation, & Tourism
Dr. Sibthorp is a Professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. He is also the Program Coordinator for the Adventure and Outdoor Programs emphasis area and the Director of Graduate Studies. He primarily teaches courses in adventure and outdoor programming, experiential education, youth development, and research design and analysis.
Most of his research involves youth in recreation settings including outdoor expeditions, summer programs, and camps. He has been involved in measurement projects, interventions, and research on transfer and mechanisms of change. His current projects focus on self regulation and the role of youth mentoring. Much of his research has been collaborative projects with the National Outdoor Leadership School and the American Camp Association.
Outstanding Educator Award of Health Science Professional Students
Brian P. Good, MD
After a New England upbringing, Dr. Brian Good came to Salt Lake City in 2000 after graduating from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He was drawn to the University of Utah by its academic reputation, the intelligent and friendly demeanor of the physicians, and the amazing outdoor environment. He completed pediatric residency and became boa... Read More
Specialties: Pediatric Inpatient Medicine
Residency: University of Utah School of Medicine
Medical School: Royal College of Surgeons - Ireland
Interprofessional Education Team Award: MD-MBA Dual Degree Program Team
William Bradley (Brad) Poss, MD, FACHE
Dr. Poss completed his undergraduate and medical school studies at the University of Kansas, pediatric residency at the Naval Hospital Oakland, and a pediatric critical care fellowship at the University of Utah. He retired in 2007 after 20 years in the US Navy where he served a variety of leadership positions including Director of Graduate Medical ... Read More
Specialties: Pediatric Critical Care
Fellowship: University of Utah School of Medicine
Residency: Naval Hospital
Medical School: University of Kansas - Kansas City
Antonius "Tony" Tsai, MBA
Title: Director of Education Strategy
Tony Tsai joined the University of Utah as the Director of Education Strategy in 2016. He graduated from The Wharton School with his BS and Columbia Business School with his MBA. Before moving to Utah, he served in a number of roles at the University of Michigan.
Stephanie T. Geisler, MBA, PMP
Title: Full-Time MBA Director
As the director of the Full-Time MBA program, Stephanie is responsible for all aspects of the program from recruiting to program management to career placement. She works with prospective students, current students, alumni, staff, and faculty to lead a strong program to even greater heights.
Before becoming the director of the Full-Time MBA program, Stephanie was Executive Vice President at Innovations Group, a group of companies in the pharmaceutical industry where she worked on many strategic initiatives as third in command.
In 2006, Stephanie co-founded Uppercase Living, a direct sales party plan company selling customizable interior design products. Driving very fast growth in the early years of the company, Stephanie was named a finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award (2009 – Emerging category). Uppercase Living was ranked 123 on the INC 500 fastest growing companies in 2010.
2017 Awards
Early Career Educator Award in Health Sciences
Andrew G. Smith, MD
Dr. Smith is Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He is active in both undergraduate medical education (UME) and graduate medical education (GME). In UME, Dr. Smith directs the cardiovascular, pulmonary and renal foundational science course during the preclinical years and a capstone c... Read More
Specialties: Pediatric Critical Care
Fellowship: Academic Pediatrics Association
Fellowship: University of Utah
Residency: University of Utah
Medical School: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Medical School: Goucher College
Mary Steinmann, MD
Mary Steinmann, MD, Associate Professor (Clinical), is triple board certified in Pediatrics, Adult Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She practices clinically as an inpatient child and adolescent psychiatrist at the University's Huntsman Mental Health Institute. Dr. Steinmann has a special interest in children and ... Read More
Specialties: Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health, Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent
Residency: University of Utah Triple Board Program
Medical School: Temple University School of Medicine
Outstanding Educator Award of Health Sciences Graduate Students
Outstanding Educator Award of Health Science Professional Students
Laura Shane-McWhorter, PharmD, BCPS, FASCP, CDE, BC-ADM
Title: Professor (Clinical), Pharmacotherapy
Interprofessional Education Team Award

Interprofessional Telemedicine Core Team
- Sue Chase-Canterini, DNP, RN, CHSE
- Terry Box, MD
- Troy Andersen, PhD, LCSW
- Laura Shane-McWhorter, PharmD
- Jean Zancanella, RN, CD
- Susan Hall, DNP, APRN, WHNP
- Julie Balk, DNP, APRN, MS, ANP-BC
- Valerie Flattes, APRN, MS, ANP-BC
- Denise Ward, DNP, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC
- Tamara Ekker, RN, MS