Dr. Kalet Wins the 2023 AAMC Award for Excellence in Medical Education

From the November 10, 2023 issue of the Transformational Times

Our Friend, Dr. Kalet, Wins the 2023 AAMC Award for Excellence in Medical Education

By the Transformational Times editors

Sometimes, it turns out that our friend is pretty spectacular. 

Our editorial group, including Adina Kalet, MD MPH, developed the Transformational Times during COVID and has kept TT’s wheels on the tracks over the past three years. As we did so, we became accustomed to Dr. Kalet’s insightful comments and wise direction at our weekly virtual meetings. We devoured her Director’s Corners. We tracked down content contributors that she suggested. With her unfailing humor and insight, she talked us through each issue and kept things moving forward. 

Sure, we knew that she had other responsibilities. After all, she was running the Institute. She had published three books, fourteen book chapters, and over 200 highly cited scientific articles. We knew she was principal investigator on NIH and NSF grants. Of course we were aware of her multi-institutional educational trials. Yeah, she seemed to know absolutely everyone in medical education on every continent. But, to us, she was just Adina, y’know? 

Of course, we probably should have had a clue that she was a superstar. After all, she did receive the National Award for Career Achievement in Medical Education from the Society for General Internal Medicine in 2019. She was given the National Board of Medical Examiners John P. Hubbard Award in 2023, recognizing her extensive contributions to the field of assessment in medical education. But, during our weekly meetings, she remained the epitome of a collegial servant leader.

The AAMC’s most prestigious award

It turns out that our friend is pretty amazing. On October 25, 2023, MCW gathered to watch as Adina’s reputation and body of work were recognized by the American Association of Medical College with the AAMC’s Award for Excellence in Medical Education. The award recognizes the “highest standards in medical education,” and honors an individual or a team “whose contributions have had a demonstrable impact on advancing medical education. It “recognizes the highest standards in medical education.” 

More than once, we heard that the Award for Excellence in Medical Education is the AAMC’s “most prestigious award.”

Adina’s comments

Unsurprisingly, Adina’s prerecorded acceptance comments focused on students, colleagues, and learners rather than on herself. “We are educating physicians,” she said. “That matters.”  She continued that, “academic medicine has been so good to me because I could be a physician, leader, scholar, and innovator all within the same career. That’s really a gift of the academic medical center environment.” She added, “I’m very moved to have been nominated. If you look back at the numerous people who have won this award, they are my heroes and role models. It is the team I want to be on.” 

It was delightful to see our friend’s effectiveness, thought leadership, and hard work recognized by her peers in medical education. She really is a superstar working among us and, we are certain, she is nowhere near the peak of her remarkable path. We are fortunate to have front row seats as she continues on a journey that will improve physician education now and far into the future. 

From the rest of the Transformational Times editorial team, including Himanshu Agrwawal, MD, Wendy Peltier, MD, Bruce Campbell, MD, Kathlyn Fletcher, MD, Karen Herzog, and Joy Wick.