Faculty Awards at US Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy

Abstract

Objectives. To determine recognition given for outstanding teaching, service, and scholarship at US colleges and schools of pharmacy, the types of awards given, and the process used to select the recipients. Methods. A self-administered questionnaire was made available online in 2006 to deans at 89 colleges and schools of pharmacy. Results. Sixty-four usable responses (72%) were obtained. An award to acknowledge teaching excellence was most commonly reported (92%), followed by an award for adjunct/volunteer faculty/preceptors (79%). The majority of the institutions (31 out of 58) reported offering 1 teaching award annually. The 2 most common methods for selecting the recipient of the teaching award were by student vote and by college/school committee vote following nominations. Twenty-four of the 63 respondents indicated that their institution provided an award for research/scholarship and 18 offered an award for outstanding service. Conclusions. Teaching excellence was recognized and rewarded at most US colleges and schools of pharmacy; however, research/scholarship and service were formally recognized less frequently.

Recognition of Teaching Excellence

“…Indeed, Kalis and Kirschenbaum concluded that teaching awards do in fact enhance retention and morale. 4 Those outcomes, however, may not be automatic, at least not for all disciplines. Aucott and colleagues found that awards for teaching excellence do not translate necessarily into faculty retention.…”

Report of the 2011-2012 AACP Professional Affairs Committee: Addressing the Teaching Excellence of Volunteer Pharmacy Preceptors

“…51 Various categories of preceptor recognition exist (eg, new preceptor of the year, IPPE preceptor of the year, APPE preceptor of the year) as well as differing mechanisms for selecting preceptor awards (i.e., student pharmacist vote, school/college committee vote following nominations, administrative decision, or course evaluation surveys). 48 National pharmacy practice organizations also recognize the value of pharmacy preceptors and examples of such recognition programs are listed in Table 4.…”

“…30 In a survey of preceptor awards provided by schools/colleges, 79% of the respondents indicated providing recognition for preceptors/volunteer faculty members. 48 Recognitions included a plaque or certificate, recognition at a ceremony/ luncheon, monetary award, and/or travel funds for a professional conference. 48 Other forms of preceptor recognition have included authorship in preceptor/experiential education newsletters and recognition in national communications.…”

“…48 Recognitions included a plaque or certificate, recognition at a ceremony/ luncheon, monetary award, and/or travel funds for a professional conference. 48 Other forms of preceptor recognition have included authorship in preceptor/experiential education newsletters and recognition in national communications. 51 Various categories of preceptor recognition exist (eg, new preceptor of the year, IPPE preceptor of the year, APPE preceptor of the year) as well as differing mechanisms for selecting preceptor awards (i.e., student pharmacist vote, school/college committee vote following nominations, administrative decision, or course evaluation surveys).…”

“…Institutional teaching awards result in varying outcomes on faculty recruitment and retention. [48][49][50] In order to attract and retain high quality preceptors, schools/colleges should ensure that preceptors are provided incentives and recognition for supporting the experiential component of their curriculum. 30 In a survey of preceptor awards provided by schools/colleges, 79% of the respondents indicated providing recognition for preceptors/volunteer faculty members.…”