Lee Limbird, Ph.D.
Faculty honored at annual fall assembly
Herbert Meltzer, M.D.
Five Vanderbilt University Medical Center faculty members were recognized in last week’s Fall Faculty Assembly, which was held in Benton Chapel.
Chancellor Gordon Gee first honored those faculty members who had given a quarter of a century of service to Vanderbilt, including Lee Limbird, Ph.D., professor of Pharmacology; John H. Newman, M.D., Elsa S. Hanigan Professor of Pulmonary Medicine, professor of Medicine; Thomas N. Oeltmann, Ph.D., associate professor of Medicine, Biochemistry and Biological Sciences; James W. Pichert, Ph.D., associate professor of Medicine and Administration; and Charles W. Stratton, M.D., associate professor of Pathology and Medicine.
“The University thanks each one you formally through the gift of a commemorative chair,” Gee said. “Please know, however, that for the years of your work that have gone to strengthen Vanderbilt and enhance its reputation, you also have my personal gratitude.”
Herbert Meltzer, M.D., Bixler/Johnson/Mays Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology and director of the division of Psychopharmacology, received the Earl Sutherland Prize for Achievement in Research.
The prize is awarded to a member of the faculty whose scholarly research has had a significant critical reception, and has proven its influence within that researcher’s discipline at a national level.
“Dr. Meltzer’s research has changed the basic approach to care for patients with schizophrenia, and has re-oriented the way future researchers will investigate the basis for the psychosis associated with the disease,” Gee said. “Herbert Meltzer’s extraordinary contribution to psychiatry has been the rigorous scientific foundation he has constructed for the understanding of atypical anti-psychotic drugs.”
Meltzer received $5,000, an engraved pewter Washington Camp cup and his name engraved on the traveling silver bowl trophy, which he will keep for a year.
Limbird was also recognized with the Thomas Jefferson Award, which is given annually to a faculty member who exemplifies the principles and ideals of Jefferson, as well as the principles and ideals of the University. The recipient is nominated by a consultative committee of the Faculty Senate.
Limbird received an engraved goblet and a check for $2,500.
“We thank her for all her work in the past, and her work continuing, in the guidance of Vanderbilt’s scientific enterprise,” Gee said. “We see Lee’s influence everywhere we look, and she has made all of Vanderbilt University a better place for her having been here.”
The Fall Faculty Assembly is held each year, traditionally at Langford Auditorium. The event was moved to Benton Chapel this year because of construction. Along with the presentation of awards, the assembly includes a faculty presentation, an overview of faculty senate business, remarks to the faculty by Gee and a reception.