Corey Slovis, MD, professor and chair of Emergency Medicine at Vanderbilt, has been awarded the 2018 National Outstanding Contribution to Education Award by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).
ACEP gives this honor to an individual who has made consistent and national contributions in teaching emergency medicine.
Slovis received his award at the recent President’s Gala Dinner, which is part of the ACEP Scientific Assembly. With more than 7,500 attendees, the annual convention is the largest gathering of emergency physicians in the country.
“When the president of the ACEP contacted me, I had a certain sense of disbelief. I am certainly very proud to have won it, but I am also humbled and surprised to have won it,” Slovis said.
Slovis has been a member of ACEP since 1982 and has spoken at its national convention 30 times.
“This is certainly the single highest teaching honor I’ve ever received,” he added.
Slovis has received the Shovel Award three times for best clinical professor from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine students along with several other teaching accolades.
“I think the best job you could have is one in which you get paid to do what you love to do the most. If I could only do one thing, I’d teach. I know it sounds quaint, trite, or cliched, but it really is a dream come true,” Slovis said.
“His knowledge is very impressive, but what is even more impressive is his drive for perfection,” said second-year Emergency Medicine resident Cliff Freeman, MD. “Anyone can tell you how to improve, but Dr. Slovis shows us how to be better with example. He works hard every day and is always trying to learn more, which shows us what it takes to become the best medical providers.”
Freeman has worked alongside Slovis for two years. He credits Slovis with taking time out of his busy day to teach him the importance of emergency medicine.
“I would really like to emphasize how grateful I am for the opportunity to learn from Dr. Slovis. He is the most impactful teacher I have had the chance to meet. He is the definition of a leader and we are lucky to have him at Vanderbilt.”
Since 1980 Slovis has taught approximately 100 medical students per year at Vanderbilt, totaling almost 4,000 students to date.
“I am privileged to be the chair of this department and to be medical director of the Nashville Fire Department, to be able to teach residents and students.
“And whether I won this award or not, I am still privileged to do all those things. I am, however, going to try to be a better teacher having won this award,” Slovis said.
