Department of Medicine faculty recognized at annual awards ceremony.
On March 30, 2026, the annual Distinguished Service Teaching Awards ceremony was held honoring WashU Medicine educators who have made the most significant contributions to the training of future physicians.
Established by students and supported by the Office of Medical Student Education, the Distinguished Service Teaching Awards highlight those educators whose efforts, commitment and patience have had the greatest impact on the medical student experience at WashU Medicine. These awards reflect the values of our learning community and underscore the central role that dedicated teachers play in shaping future physicians.
Each year, students recognize course directors, lecturers, clerkship directors, attendings, residents and clerkship coordinators who demonstrate exceptional dedication, skill and support in the training of medical students. Honorees are those who go beyond delivering content: they inspire curiosity, model professionalism and compassion, and create inclusive, supportive learning environments in which students can thrive.
The awards process is entirely student-driven with nominations and voting take place in the fall, allowing students to reflect on those educators who have most meaningfully influenced their development. Awardees are then celebrated at a ceremony in the spring that brings together students, faculty and staff to recognize excellence in teaching and mentorship.
WashU Medicine medical students have now announced the recipients of the 2025–2026 Distinguished Service Teaching Awards, honoring faculty and house staff for their outstanding contributions to medical student education and for exemplifying the highest standards of teaching, mentorship and service.
This year’s Phase One recipients are:
Glenn Conroy Module Leader of the Year: Dr. Justin Sadhu
The Glenn Conroy Module Leader of the Year Award is given to a first-year Module Leader in honor of Dr. Glenn Conroy, PhD, a professor emeritus of the Department of Neuroscience as well as the Department of Anthropology at Washington University. Joining WashU Medicine faculty in 1983, Dr. Conroy is a world-renowned paleoanthropologist whose work covers nearly every epoch of primate and human fossil history, involving anthropological field research around the globe Before his retirement in 2017, Dr. Conroy served as Course Director for the first-year Human Body course for 32 years, passing his renowned anatomical expertise to thousands of aspiring clinicians. As a tribute to Dr. Conroy’s leadership and excellence in education, students voted him Course Director of the Year twelve times over, Preclinical Teacher of the Year three times, and recognized him with a DSTA on fourteen occasions. The Glenn Conroy Award recognizes Dr. Conroy’s scholarly accomplishments, years of dedicated service to students, and skillful leadership as a Human Body course director.
Jane Phillips-Conroy Professor of the Year: Dr. Steven Cheng
The Jane Phillips-Conroy Professor of the Year Award is given to a first-year Professor in honor of Jane Phillips-Conroy, PhD, a professor emeritus of the Department of Neuroscience as well as the Department of Anthropology at Washington University. She joined the Washington University School of Medicine in 1983 and remained a member of the faculty for 34 years. Through her research on wild baboons across Africa, Dr. Philips-Conroy became a leader in the field of primate biology. She was a favorite professor of WashU Medicine medical students for her teaching in the first year Human Body course. As evidence of Dr. Phillips-Conroy’s excellence in teaching, students voted her Professor of the Year ten times, Preclinical Teacher of the Year three times, and honored her with a DSTA sixteen times.
The Jane Philips-Conroy Award recognizes Dr. Philips-Conroy’s scholarly accomplishments, masterful teaching of the Human Body course, and years of dedicated service to students. The Jane-Phillips Conroy Professor of the Year is awarded to a faculty member for excellent teaching.
Thread Leader of the Year: Dr. Nigar Kirmani
A Thread Leader of the Year is an individual recognized for exceptional commitment, innovation, and leadership in building community, mentorship, and service. These leaders consistently foster meaningful relationships, support and uplift colleagues, and drive impactful, positive change within their organizations or local communities.
We celebrate the educators who distinguished themselves during the 2025-2026 Distinguished Teaching Awardees 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 recognized and deeply appreciated by all.