University Awards
We take pride in our faculty and their outstanding contributions to our mission. This page highlights the recognitions awarded within the TTUHSC community, celebrating our faculty’s role in fostering a positive, forward-thinking environment where our students can thrive and succeed.
We are grateful for the many ways our faculty shape the future of health and are honored to acknowledge their achievements. Thank you to these recipients for inspiring us with your dedication and passion; you embody the values that make TTUHSC a leader in health sciences education and service.
Recognizing Excellence
TTU System Chancellor Dr. Tedd Mitchell often says that "the people in West Texas are not ones to brag..." Here at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center's (TTUHSC) we sometimes have to force ourselves to stop and take a moment to appreciate the hard work from our team members, or as Dr. Mitchell would say, “to brag.” This page is dedicated to all the awards made available to our faculty and staff. Our TTUHSC family is committed to creating, promoting and fostering an organizational environment that values growth and development opportunities for all HSC team members. Here is the comprehensive list of all awards available to the TTUHSC community.
Grover E. Murray Professorships
Since its establishment by the Board of Regents, the Grover E. Murray Professorships--named in honor of the first president of TTUHSC--have been the highest distinctions that the university can bestow onto members of its faculty. Recipients are chosen by the president for outstanding scholarly achievement in research, teaching and clinical practice.
Eligibility criteria:
Nominations are based on national and/or international recognition for excellence in research, teaching and/or clinical activity for practicing health care professionals.
Each recipient receives:
Recipients are given an annual supplement of $10,000 for the remainder of their active service at TTUHSC.
Deadlines/ Important Dates:
Each year, the president will request written nominations for Grover E. Murray Professorships from the deans by February 15. The nomination documentation must be completed and sent to the president by June 14.
Faculty members who have been previously named Grover E. Murray professors are:
Dr. Billy Philips
Dr. Thomas Abbruscato
Sherry Sancibrian, MS
Dr. Thomas W. Hale
Dr. Steven Berk
Dr. Michael Evans
Dr. Vadivel Ganapathy
Dr. Neil Kurtzman
Dr. John Orem
Dr. Gabor Racz
Dr. Cynthia Raehl
Dr. Quentin Smith
Dr. Sharon Decker
Dr. Volker Neugebauer
Dr. Afzal Siddiqui
Dr. Doug Stocco
Dr. Surendra Varma
Dr. Abraham Verghese
President’s Awards
The President’s Awards recognize faculty members with unparalleled contributions to medical education, research and clinical care. Prestigious awards in seven categories are presented annually in mid-November.
Eligibility criteria:
Award recipients will have exhibited sustained excellence in one of the seven categories: excellence in teaching, team teaching, excellence in research, early career investigator, outstanding clinician, excellence in community engagement and interprofessional teamwork.
Each recipient receives:
Award recipients are given a framed certificate, an engraved medallion, and a monetary award.
Deadlines/ Important Dates:
Nominations should be submitted electronically via the awards link on or before June 14 each year. Once committee deliberations are conveyed to the president, the President’s Office will notify applicants of the outcomes of the selection process by September 15. The conferring awards ceremony takes place in November.
2024 AWARDS
President’s Excellence in Teaching Award
Chris Selby, Pharm.D.
President’s Excellence in Research Award
Kendra Rumbaugh, Ph.D.
President’s Outstanding Clinician Award
M Tarek Naguib, M.D., MBA
President’s Excellence in Community Engagement Award
Timothy J. Benton, M.D.
President's Early Career Investigator Award
Sharilyn Almodovar, Ph.D.
President’s Excellence in Interprofessional Collaboration Award
Larry Munger, Ph.D., LAT, ATC
Amy Moore, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Inola Mello, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Gary Kearns, PT, ScD
Brad S. Allen, PT, ScD
President's Team Teaching Award
Betsy Jones, Ed.D.
Alice Villalobos, Ph.D.
Cassandra Kruczek, Ph.D.
Felix Morales, M.D.
University Distinguished Faculty
The title of “distinguished faculty” is granted each year to members of TTUHSC faculty who have clearly exhibited outstanding achievement in teaching, research and service. Recipients hold this honor throughout the remainder of their active service at TTUHSC.
Eligibility criteria:
University Distinguished Faculty should be recognized nationally, and often internationally, for their greatness in research, teaching and/or clinical achievements, bringing distinction to TTUHSC as a result of their activities.
Each recipient receives:
Award recipients are given a framed certificate, an engraved medallion, and a monetary award.
Deadlines/ Important Dates:
In order to be considered, nominations must be sent to the president by June 14 of each year. After achieving approval from Council of Deans, nominations will be sent to the president for review and selection.
List of current and past recipients:
2024 - Wade Redman, Ph.D., MBA, MT(ASCP)
2024 - Lance R. McMahon, Ph.D.
2024 - Eric J. MacLaughlin, Pharm.D.
2024 - Donna Owen, Ph.D., R.N.
2022 - Volker E. Neugebauer, M.D., Ph.D.
2021 - Theresa Byrd, R.N., MPH, DrPH
2021 - Teresa E. Baker, M.D.
2021 - Laura Opton, DHSc, R.N., CNE
2021 - Kerry K. Gilbert, PT, ScD
2021 - Jeff Watson, DNP, R.N., NEA-BC, CNE
2021 - Dawndra Sechrist, OTR, Ph.D.
2021 - Cynthia Jumper, M.D., MPH, MACP
2021 - Amanda Veesart, Ph.D., CNE, R.N.
2020 - Yondell Masten, Ph.D., R.N., WHNP-BC, RNC-OB
2020 - Victor Test, M.D., FCCP
2019 - Brandt Schneider, Ph.D.
2018 - Thomas Hale, Ph.D., RPh
2018 - Terry McMahon, M.D.
2018 - Sharmila Dissanaike, M.D.
2018 - Kevin Pruitt, Ph.D.
2018 - Kendra Rumbaugh, Ph.D.
2018 - Dale Dunn, M.D., MBA, FCAP, FASCP
2016 - Vadivel Ganapathy, Ph.D.
2016 - Steven Sawyer, Ph.D.
2016 - Roger James, Ph.D., FACSM
2016 - Richard Leff, Pharm.D.
2016 - Pearl Merritt, Ed.D., M.S., MSN, R.N., FAAN
2016 - Patti Patterson, M.D., MPH
2016 - Patrick Reynolds, M.D., Ph.D.
2016 - Mubariz Naqvi, M.D.
2016 - Michael Conn, Ph.D.
2016 - Melinda Mitchell-Jones, JD, MSN
2016 - Melinda Corwin, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
2016 - Kumuda Das, Ph.D.
2016 - Kathryn Sridaromont, Ph.D.
2016 - Jannette Dufour, Ph.D.
2016 - Hal Larsen, Ph.D.
2016 - Gary Ventolini, M.D.
2016 - Edward Yeomans, M.D.
2016 - Carol Boswell, Ed.D., R.N., CNE, ANEF
2016 - Candace Hicks, Ph.D., CCC-A
2015 - Thomas Thekkumkara, Ph.D.
2015 - Thomas Abbruscato, Ph.D.
2015 - Susan Bergeson, Ph.D.
2015 - Simon Williams, Ph.D.
2015 - Sharon B. Cannon, Ed.D., R.N., ANEF
2015 - Shailesh "Bobby" Jain, M.D., MPH, ABDA
2015 - Sanjay Srivastava, Ph.D.
2015 - Roland Patry, DrPH
2015 - Robert S. Urban, M.D., FACP
2015 - Richard Lampe, M.D.
2015 - Rajkumar Lakshmanaswamy, Ph.D.
2015 - Rajinder K. Koul, Ph.D.
2015 - Phillip S. Sizer, Jr., Ph.D.
2015 - Patricia Allen, Ed.D., R.N., CNE, ANEF, FAAN
2015 - Min Kang, Pharm.D.
2015 - Lori Rice-Spearman, Ph.D.
2015 - Jon Weidanz, Ph.D., MPH
2015 - Jean-Michel Brismee, Sc.D.
2015 - Fakhrul Ahsan, Ph.D.
2015 - Emily Merrill, Ph.D., APRN, FNP-BC, CNE, FAANP
2015 - Cheryl Sancibrian, M.S.
2015 - Betsy Goebel Jones, Ed.D.
2015 - Barbara Cherry, DNSc, MBA, R.N., NEA-BC
2015 - Alyce Ashcraft, Ph.D., R.N., CNE, ANEF
2008 - Gabor Racz, M.D.
2007 - Quentin Smith, Ph.D.
2006 - C.A. (CAB) Bond, Pharm.D.
2005 - Barbara Chilton, Ph.D.
2003 - Thomas J. Thekkumkara, Ph.D.
2003 - Phil Sizer, PT, Ph.D., MOMT
2003 - Myrna Armstrong, R.N., Ed.D., FAAN
2003 - Edward C. Saltzstein, M.D.
2003 - Douglas Stocco, Ph.D.
1999 - Teddy L. Jones, R.N., Ph.D.
1999 - Surendra K. Varma, M.D.
1999 - Neil A. Kurtzman, M.D.
1999 - Lorenz O. Lutherer, M.D., Ph.D.
1999 - Homer H. Merrifield, Ph.D.
1999 - Emily Merrill, R.N., MSN, CS, FNP
Distinguished Staff Awards
An acclaimed group of awards for TTUHSC non-faculty team members, the Distinguished Staff Awards program recognizes and supports the achievements of TTUHSC staff members who exemplify the highest level of university values and characteristics. The five levels of awards available allow for a range of recipients across TTUHSC campuses. In celebration, an employee picnic is held each year to recognize award recipients.
Eligibility criteria:
Non-faculty benefits-eligible employees must be continuously employed without having received disciplinary action in the past twelve months or a previous distinguished staff award in the past five years. Additionally, recipients should have completed all required trainings.
Each recipient receives:
Elements received depend on the specific award. More information can be found here.
Deadlines/ Important Dates:
Nominations are accepted January - February of each year. The award ceremony is held in the summer, in conjunction with the staff picnic and years of service ceremony.
Chancellor’s Awards
Chancellor's Council Distinguished Teaching & Research Awards & Chancellor's Award
of Excellence
Recognizing academic excellence, these honors are the most prestigious awards granted
to faculty throughout the TTU System. The awards are funded by gifts to the Chancellor’s
Council, a giving society that supports the chancellor’s priorities across the TTU
System. Each year, award recipients receive a stipend and an engraved medallion or
plaque for their academic contributions to the university.
Eligibility Criteria:
Recipients should demonstrate outstanding teaching and research both within and beyond the university. These awards are designed to recognize the research, scholarship and creative activity of TTUHSC faculty members as well as the dedication to TTUHSC’s goals as an institution.
Each Recipient Receives:
Recipients of the Chancellor's Council Distinguished Teaching & Research Awards are given a $5,000 stipend and an engraved medallion.
Recipients of the Chancellor's Award of Excellence are given a $1,500 stipend, a lapel pin and an award plaque.
- Contact Information: chancellorscouncil@ttu.edu
- 806-742-0026
List of current and past recipients:
2024 - Susan Bergeson, Ph.D.
2024 - Luis Cuello, Ph.D.
2024 - Sarai Granados, MS, CCC-SLP
2024 - Krystal Haase, Pharm.D., FCCP
2023 - Dr. Sanjay K. Srivastava
2023 - Dr. Courtney M. Queen
2023 - Dr. Lisaann S. Gittner
2022 - Dr. Duke Appiah
2022 - Dr. Amy Stark
2022 - Dr. Jen Collins
2021 - Dr. Susan Calloway
2021 - Dr. Tammy Carter
2021 - Dr. Volker Edgar Neugebauer
2020 - Dr. Vadivel Ganapathy
2020 - Professor Sherry Sancibrian
2020 - Dr. Thomas Abbruscato
2019 - Dr. Steven F. Sawyer
2019 - Dr. Vardan T. Karamyan
2019 - Dr. Donna Owen
2019 - Dr. Min Kang
2018 - Dr. Eric J. MacLaughlin
2018 - Dr. Simon C. Williams
2018 - Dr. Kendra P. Rumbaugh
2018 - Dr. Phil S. Sizer
2017 - Dr. Eric J. MacLaughlin
2017 - Dr. Simon C. Williams
2017 - Dr. Kendra P. Rumbaugh
2017 - Dr. Phil S. Sizer
2016 - Katie Bennett
2016 - D. Elizabeth Goebel Jones
2016 - Richard Leff
2016 - Billy Philips
2015 - Dr. Melinda Corwin
2015 - Dr. Craig Cox
2015 - Dr. Alyce Ashcraft
2015 - Dr. Kumuda Das
Distinguished Alumni Awards
Since its creation in 1999, the Distinguished Alumni Awards have commended those whose efforts within their fields have created a positive impact on their community, offering recognition for each school under several different categories. Previous recipients have been acknowledged for their significant successes in research, leadership, community outreach, and clinical care, among others.
Eligibility Criteria:
Award recipients should achieve a high level of success in their chosen fields, making a positive impact on community or humanity and bringing distinction to both themselves and TTUHSC.
Each Recipient Receives:
Recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Awards receive a glass memento and a hosted reception to honor their accomplishments.
Deadlines/Important Dates:
For consideration for the Distinguished Alumni Awards, nominations must be sent electronically by June 1 of each year.
Presidential Distinguished Alumni Award
In 2015, TTUHSC introduced the Presidential Distinguished Alumni Award. This recognition is considered to be the highest honor bestowed by the university, recognizing and honoring alumni who have made significant contributions to the health care profession.
Eligibility Criteria:
Recipients of the Presidential Distinguished Alumni Award are individuals who have demonstrated service to the community, profession and the institution while earning their degree or completing their residency.
Each Recipient Receives:
Recipients of the Presidential Distinguished Alumni Award receive a glass memento and a hosted reception to honor their accomplishments.
Deadlines/Important Dates:
In order to be considered, nominations must be sent electronically by June 1 of each year.