Herbert L. and Margaret W. DuPont Master Clinical Teaching Award – Dr. Eugene Toy

Eugene C. Toy, M.D., clinical associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, has been named the winner of the Herbert L. and Margaret W. DuPont Master Clinical Teaching Award.

Established in 2001 and made possible by a gift from the DuPonts, the award recognizes and preserves the essence and quality of the master clinical teacher, reflecting the Medical School's top priority of quality clinical medical education.

"I have the deepest respect for Dr. Herbert DuPont and just to be nominated for the award is a great distinction; to be the recipient of the DuPont Award is an incredible honor, and I am humbled by it. Having received the award, I will strive to live up to its high standards, and I will focus my energy even more on the teaching of medical students," he said.

Toy, who has been on faculty at the Medical School since 1996, was nominated and selected for the award by the Dean's Teaching Excellence Award Review Committee, which is comprised of representatives of the Faculty Senate, Curriculum Committee, and the Graduate Medical Education Committee.

"I was frankly speechless when I found out about the award. I see teaching as one of the highest callings by any physician. And even though I am the one receiving the award, I do it on behalf of all of the faculty and resident physicians of the department," he said.

Toy has been the clerkship director of the obstetrics/gynecology junior rotation at St. Joseph Medical Center since 1997 and assistant course director for the third-year obstetrics/gynecology clerkship since 2000. He also is the residency program director of the Methodist Hospital obstetrics/gynecology program.

He received the McGovern Award in 2002 and is the creator and lead author of 15 books for the Case Files series, in which he has partnered with Medical School faculty in both clinical and basic science disciplines. "The books are an extension of my teaching worldwide as they have been translated now into nine languages," he added.

Previous recipients of the award are John W. Sparks, M.D., 2006; Victor R. Lavis, M.D., 2005; Philip R. Orlander, M.D., 2004; Ian J. Butler, M.D., 2003; Patrick G. Brosnan, M.D., 2002; and Frank C. Arnett Jr., M.D., 2001.

"Students are our future, and it is an incredible privilege to be able to participate in teaching," he said. "I am grateful to be part of a medical school that values education and rewards its teachers."

-D. Brown