Cite as: Rosenblatt, M. ASRA Pain Medicine excellence in education award statement. ASRA Pain Medicine News 2024;49. https://doi.org/10.52211/asra110124.006.

ASRA Pain Medicine’s Excellence in Education Award recognizes physician members, at the instructor or assistant professor level, who have demonstrated innovation and success in clinical and didactic education and have been attending physicians for a minimum of 5 years. This national award is presented to educators who self-nominate or have been nominated by their peers, in recognition of their innovation and dedication to the delivery of knowledge in the fields of regional anesthesia and/or pain medicine. The awardees are recognized at the spring or fall ASRA Pain Medicine annual meetings with a certificate and receive the beautiful badge below to further highlight their accomplishments virtually.

“I am grateful for the award and the impact it has had on my career advancement.”

The Excellence in Education Award, developed in 2021 and first awarded in 2022, underscores the vital role of communication, education, and innovation in advancing the specialty of regional anesthesia and pain medicine. By recognizing physician educators at the instructor or assistant professor level, the award not only honors their significant contributions but also reinforces the importance of cultivating a culture of knowledge sharing within our community. Supporting members at this pivotal stage in their careers is essential for fostering a new generation of educators and practitioners who are equipped to tackle the evolving challenges in regional anesthesia and pain management. Through this recognition, our members are empowered to continue developing their teaching skills, enhancing clinical practices, and ultimately improving patient outcomes, thereby ensuring the continued growth and excellence of the specialty.

Past recipient Uchenna Umeh, MD, from Hospital for Special Surgery notes, “Being a recipient of the Excellence in Education Award from ASRA Pain Medicine is one of the highlights of my career so far. As I am in the process of applying for promotion, this national honor helps reinforce my role as an exceptional educator in our subspecialty. I am grateful for the award and the impact it has had on my career advancement.”

Applications are accepted annually from December 1 through January 15, from current ASRA Pain Medicine members. Along with submitting a CV, a letter of support from the chair of the department or section chief is required, detailing the nominee's accomplishments. The selection committee also requires two letters of support from former trainees, residents, or fellows, describing how the nominee’s effectiveness as an educator has influenced their current position.

Previous awardees include

• Vikram Bansal
• Jefrey Clemmons
• Susan Eklund
• Hari Kalgara
• Jonny Lee
• Farrukh Munshey
• Amit Pawa
• Ryan Philips
• Steven Porter
• Sudheer Potru
• Bridget Pulos
• Tara Sheridan
• Cameron Smith
• Uchenna Umeh
• Douglas Wetmore
• Jose Zeballos

View complete instructions about applying here.