The John Freeman Faculty Teaching Award - Dr. Elizabeth Hartwell

For Elizabeth "Beth" Hartwell, M.D., becoming a doctor was a far cry from what could have been her chosen career path as either an elementary school art teacher or a ski instructor - as determined by two career assessment tests taken during a time when she needed some direction. Nonetheless, teaching was the common thread in both assessments and perhaps helped determine what would also be a big part of her life.

Chosen by the senior class, Hartwell is the winner of the John Freeman Faculty Teaching Award. The award is given each year to recognize the Medical School's outstanding basic science faculty member.

When the now graduating seniors were first-year medical students, Hartwell was the Histology course director and an associate professor of pathology and laboratory medicine. However, she left the full-time faculty a year and a half ago to become medical director of the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. Although she gave up the course directorship, her love of teaching young medical students kept her on board at the school where she still teaches the same set of histology lectures.

"I just have fun. I really, really enjoy teaching the first-year students," Hartwell said, who joined the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in 1991.

Hartwell also worked as the medical director for pathology and laboratory services at Memorial Hermann Hospital and said she found teaching to be a nice escape from this more serious role.

"I just had so much fun in an otherwise serious environment," she said. "It was a nice way to impart knowledge in a fun atmosphere."

The recipient of this award, which is made possible by a gift from the late Mr. Freeman, must exemplify enthusiasm and drive toward effective teaching, have a personal interest in students' problems and their educational goals, and set an example that serves as a high standard for students.

An admitted perfectionist, Hartwell works to keep her histology lectures current. "I always think, 'Is there something I can do better,'" she said, adding that she likes to energize students when she teaches, so that teaching may become part of their future careers as physicians and educators.

Hartwell said she was "surprised and flattered" to be chosen for the John Freeman Faculty Teaching Award. "I'm not a person who teaches for awards or recognition. I was blown off my feet - it was a very nice feeling," she said.

Hartwell is a UT Medical School alumna with the graduating class of 1987. She also has been a Dean's Teaching Excellence Awardee.

Previous winners include Han Zhang, M.D., 2006; Margaret O. Uthman, M.D., 2005, 2001, 1999, 1997; Kent Heck, M.D., 2004, 2002; Norman Weisbrodt, Ph.D., 2003; Barry Van Winkle, Ph.D., 2000, 1998; Marsha L. Eigenbrodt, M.D., M.P.H., 1996; Ron C. Philo, Ph.D., 1995; Harley D. Sybers, M.D., Ph.D., 1994, 1992, 1990; Frank W. Booth, M.D., 1993; and Karmen L. Schmidt, Ph.D., 1991.

-C. Webb