Baylor College of Medicine recently recognized several members of Texas Children’s Department of Neurosurgery for their outstanding teaching skills.
Dr. Daniel Curry, Texas Children’s neurosurgeon and John S. Dunn Foundation Endowed Chair for Minimally Invasive Epilepsy Surgery, was honored with the Baylor College of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery Faculty of the Year Award.
The award is given to the single faculty member within the Baylor Department of Neurosurgery who earns the top score in an anonymous vote taken by all 23 residents in the Baylor neurosurgery residency program. Curry was chosen out of 30 faculty members at the five hospital residency training sites. Texas Children’s is the only children’s hospital within the residency training program, which also includes Baylor St. Lukes, MD Anderson, Ben Taub, and the Michael E. Debakey VA Medical Center.
The vote consists of a five-tiered scoring system with assessment of seven qualifications: 1. Serves as a positive role model of professional behaviors/characteristics, 2. Demonstrates clinical competence/application of knowledge, 3. Teaches effectively, 4. Encourages resident’s professional/self development, 5. Provides appropriate direction, supervision, or consultation, 6. Available and accessible, 7. Overall effectiveness in working with resident, and also solicits resident comments.
Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery Dr. Howard Weiner, was the runner up for the award and Drs. Guillermo Aldave Orzaiz and William Whitehead also had high scores in the top tier.
Comments in the survey about Curry included:
“Dr. Curry is a great teacher and mentor. I enjoyed working with him during rotation.”
“Dr. Curry is a very knowledgeable and excellent teacher.”
“I’m excited about the new techniques he’s developing.”
“Dr. Curry was a pleasure to work with”
Weiner said the recognition is significant, as it is an indication that Texas Children’s is becoming one of the most enjoyable and popular Baylor neurosurgery residency rotations. As a result, the department is seeing an increase in Baylor residents who are considering a career in pediatric neurosurgery. Moreover, applications to its one-year accredited post- residency fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery have increased.
“We offer one fellowship spot,” Weiner said. “We received 20 applicants this year, which is the most we have ever had gotten.”
Congratulations Drs. Curry, Weiner, Aldave and Whitehead!