On April 15, 2025, the annual Distinguished Service and Teaching Awards ceremony was held honoring WashU Medicine educators who have made the most significant contributions to the training of future physicians.
In recognition of outstanding service to medical student education, Washington University medical students present Distinguished Service and Teaching Awards (DSTAs) to faculty and house staff each year. Initiated by students and implemented with support from the Office of Medical Student Education (OMSE), the DSTAs allow students to express their appreciation for the efforts, dedication, and patience of their educators.
Since the late fall of 2019, the Medical Education Representatives from Medical Student Government (MSG), with support from MSG, OMSE and the Academy of Educators, have worked to re-design and update the DSTAs. This year’s DSTAs reflect the current co-existence of the Gateway and Legacy curriculums, as well as notably celebrate faculty who exemplify the values within Washington University’s mission statement.
We celebrate the educators who distinguished themselves during the 2024-2025 academic year. In addition to this year’s awardees, we extend our gratitude to everyone involved in medical education for their continued commitment to excellence throughout the Gateway curriculum. Your efforts are are recognized and deeply appreciated by all.
Clinical Educator of the Year – Dennis Chang, MD
Stanley Lang Teacher of the Year – Timothy Yau, MD
The Stanley Lang Teacher of the Year Award is given annually to a junior faculty member in honor of Stanley J. Lang, PhD, a former professor of cell biology and physiology at Washington University School of Medicine. In 1954, following his education at University of Chicago and an appointment at Harvard Medical School and the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Lang came to St. Louis as a physiologist at Jewish Hospital. He was given a full-time faculty appointment at the medical school in 1966. While Lang was the course master for physiology, students voted him Teacher of the Year in 1974, 1976, and 1983. The Stanley Lang Award recognizes Lang’s many scholarly accomplishments, his excellence in teaching, and his dedication to the academic and professional growth of his students. The Stanley Lang Teacher of the Year is awarded to a faculty member for serving as a role model of what it means to be a physician and helping their students to grow as people.
Distinguished Teaching Service Awards
Creativity – Amy Riek, MD
Critical Thinking – Justin Sadhu, MD, MPHS, FACC
Diversity – Angela Brown, MD
