Professor of Pediatrics William Raszka, M.D., has received the prestigious 2021 Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Award. Established in 1988 by the AOA Honor Medical Society, the award recognizes outstanding achievement in medical education by four faculty members from the nation’s medical schools—two from basic science/pre-clinical departments and two from clinical disciplines. The award is part of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) annual slate of honors. It commemorates the late Robert Glaser, M.D., former dean of Stanford University School of Medicine and longtime AOA executive secretary.

A pediatric infectious disease specialist, Raszka directs the pediatrics clerkship and “Attacks & Defenses” course at Larner. He was also recently co-honored with the 2021 Vermont State School Nurses Association’s J. Ward Stackpole, M.D. Award, and received the 2020 National Board of Medical Examiners Edithe J. Levit Distinguished Service Award. He received the Dignity in Medicine Award from the Larner medical student Class of 2019. 

In announcing the award, the AAMC/AOA noted Raszka's innovative and challenging teaching and his advocacy for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Quoting a student’s comments in a recent evaluation, AAMC/AOA wrote that Raszka's “questions are case-based, straightforward, and, importantly, he takes the time to explain why the wrong answers are wrong.”

Glaser awardees each receive a $10,000 prize. The College will also receive a $2,500 teaching activities grant, and the Larner AOA Medical Honor Society chapter will receive a $1,000 grant. The award will be formally conferred at an October 27 virtual recognition event.

Read more about Dr. Raszka and the 2021 AAMC awards here.