David Satin, MD, Receives Award for Outstanding Contributions to Graduate and Professional Education
Congratulations to Department of Family Medicine and Community Health faculty David Satin, MD, who received a 2023-24 Award for Outstanding Contributions to Graduate and Professional Education. It is awarded to exceptional candidates who have been nominated by colleges for excellence in graduate and professional education. This award reflects the University’s strong and enduring commitment to outstanding graduate and professional education. Dr. Satin will receive the title "Distinguished University Teaching Professor" and become a member of the Academy of Distinguished Teachers.
For over a decade, he co-directed the largest course in the Medical School, Essentials in Clinical Medicine. He has personally taught more than 2,000 UMN medical students, spending an average of 80 hours per year in class with them. He mentors over 120 students per year, meeting with each one-on-one at least twice per year and hosting group discussions. His students view him as an ever-present and accessible mentor.
Over the years, Dr. Satin has received prestigious awards, including the John Song Distinguished Mentoring Award, awarded by the UMN Medical School in 2020, and the UMN Outstanding Advising and Mentoring Award in 2017, awarded by the Professional Student Government. Dr. Satin has gone above and beyond for more than 20 years in terms of student teaching, mentorship, and research collaboration.
The following are quotes from individuals who supported Dr. Satin’s nomination:
“Dr. Satin’s dedication to involving and empowering students in his work sets him apart as an exemplary mentor and educator. More than half of his presentations and publications involve students in central roles, and he invests an incredible amount of time mentoring students. I continue to be monumentally impressed by his unequaled dedication to medicine, students, and education.” —Jim Pacala, MD, MS, head of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health
“Dr. Satin has exhibited a truly remarkable commitment to quality medical education and mentorship. I can say without a doubt that Dr. Satin is the single most important mentor and role model for my continuing personal growth as a clinician and public health researcher. Simply put, I would not be where I am today without Dr. Satin’s guidance and support.” —A.C., family medicine resident, OHSU Portland
“Dr. Satin has played a pivotal role in my career. I met Dr. Satin as the professor of my ethics and quality improvement course. Later that year while working in a laboratory, I was leading a study on injuries from Less-Lethal Weapons during the George Floyd protests in Minnesota. My team and I were looking for someone to join the study who had expertise in ethics and commitment to health equity. I had immediately thought of Dr. Satin, not only for his expertise, but for his reputation as a strong mentor with a genuine investment in the professional development of his students. My experience working with Dr. Satin absolutely surpassed my already high expectations.” —E.K., Massachusetts General Hospital
