Distinguished Teachers

Two top-notch George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) teachers — Scott Cohen, MD, associate professor of medicine, and Aviva Ellenstein, MD, PhD, assistant professor of neurology — received this year’s prestigious Distinguished Teacher Award, given annually to MD program faculty members who exhibit exceptional ability in education.

The winners are determined by nominations from the faculty and selection by past recipients, who are members of the Society of Distinguished Teachers. Cohen, according to Alan Wasserman, MD, chair of the Department of Medicine and Eugene Meyer Professor of Medicine at SMHS, is a “star” in nephrology, a teacher who not only imparts knowledge in an innovative way, but also makes the kidney interesting. 

Doctor Scott Cohen and Doctor Aviva Ellenstein with distinguished teacher awards

Terry Kind, MD, MPH, assistant dean of clinical education and associate professor of pediatrics at SMHS, spoke of Ellenstein’s unique approach to complex material. She employs physical demonstrations and singing, techniques that delight her students, added Henry Kaminski, MD, chair of the Department of Neurology and Meta Amalia Neumann Professor of Neurology at SMHS.

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