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Office of the President

University Awards

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Recognizing Excellence

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.

TTU System Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Tedd Mitchell often says that "the people in West Texas are not ones to brag ... ” At Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), we believe it is important to pause and recognize those whose work exemplifies our values and advances our mission, 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 team members.

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. 

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.

    Distinguished Faculty Official Policy

    Past Distinguished Faculty Honorees

    2024 - Wade Redman, Ph.D., MBA, MT(ASCP) 2016 - Patti Patterson, M.D., MPH 2015 - Patricia Allen, Ed.D., R.N., CNE, ANEF, FAAN
    2024 - Lance R. McMahon, Ph.D. 2016 - Patrick Reynolds, M.D., Ph.D. 2015 - Min Kang, Pharm.D.
    2024 - Eric J. MacLaughlin, Pharm.D. 2016 - Mubariz Naqvi, M.D. 2015 - Lori Rice-Spearman, Ph.D.
    2024 - Donna Owen, Ph.D., R.N. 2016 - Michael Conn, Ph.D. 2015 - Jon Weidanz, Ph.D., MPH
    2022 - Volker E. Neugebauer, M.D., Ph.D. 2016 - Melinda Mitchell-Jones, JD, MSN 2015 - Jean-Michel Brismee, Sc.D.
    2021 - Theresa Byrd, R.N., MPH, DrPH 2016 - Melinda Corwin, Ph.D., CCC-SLP 2015 - Fakhrul Ahsan, Ph.D.
    2021 - Teresa E. Baker, M.D. 2016 - Kumuda Das, Ph.D. 2015 - Emily Merrill, Ph.D., APRN, FNP-BC, CNE, FAANP
    2021 - Laura Opton, DHSc, R.N., CNE 2016 - Kathryn Sridaromont, Ph.D. 2015 - Cheryl Sancibrian, M.S.
    2021 - Kerry K. Gilbert, PT, ScD 2016 - Jannette Dufour, Ph.D. 2015 - Betsy Goebel Jones, Ed.D.
    2021 - Jeff Watson, DNP, R.N., NEA-BC, CNE 2016 - Hal Larsen, Ph.D. 2015 - Barbara Cherry, DNSc, MBA, R.N., NEA-BC
    2021 - Dawndra Sechrist, OTR, Ph.D. 2016 - Gary Ventolini, M.D. 2015 - Alyce Ashcraft, Ph.D., R.N., CNE, ANEF
    2021 - Cynthia Jumper, M.D., MPH, MACP 2016 - Edward Yeomans, M.D. 2008 - Gabor Racz, M.D.
    2021 - Amanda Veesart, Ph.D., CNE, R.N. 2016 - Carol Boswell, Ed.D., R.N., CNE, ANEF 2007 - Quentin Smith, Ph.D.
    2020 - Yondell Masten, Ph.D., R.N., WHNP-BC, RNC-OB 2016 - Candace Hicks, Ph.D., CCC-A 2006 - C.A. (CAB) Bond, Pharm.D.
    2020 - Victor Test, M.D., FCCP 2015 - Thomas Thekkumkara, Ph.D. 2005 - Barbara Chilton, Ph.D.
    2019 - Brandt Schneider, Ph.D. 2015 - Thomas Abbruscato, Ph.D. 2003 - Thomas J. Thekkumkara, Ph.D.
    2018 - Thomas Hale, Ph.D., RPh 2015 - Susan Bergeson, Ph.D. 2003 - Phil Sizer, PT, Ph.D., MOMT
    2018 - Terry McMahon, M.D. 2015 - Simon Williams, Ph.D. 2003 - Myrna Armstrong, R.N., Ed.D., FAAN
    2018 - Sharmila Dissanaike, M.D. 2015 - Sharon B. Cannon, Ed.D., R.N., ANEF 2003 - Edward C. Saltzstein, M.D.
    2018 - Kevin Pruitt, Ph.D. 2015 - Shailesh "Bobby" Jain, M.D., MPH, ABDA 2003 - Douglas Stocco, Ph.D.
    2018 - Kendra Rumbaugh, Ph.D. 2015 - Sanjay Srivastava, Ph.D. 1999 - Teddy L. Jones, R.N., Ph.D.
    2018 - Dale Dunn, M.D., MBA, FCAP, FASCP 2015 - Roland Patry, DrPH 1999 - Surendra K. Varma, M.D.
    2016 - Vadivel Ganapathy, Ph.D. 2015 - Robert S. Urban, M.D., FACP 1999 - Neil A. Kurtzman, M.D.
    2016 - Steven Sawyer, Ph.D. 2015 - Richard Lampe, M.D. 1999 - Lorenz O. Lutherer, M.D., Ph.D.
    2016 - Roger James, Ph.D., FACSM 2015 - Rajkumar Lakshmanaswamy, Ph.D. 1999 - Homer H. Merrifield, Ph.D.
    2016 - Richard Leff, Pharm.D. 2015 - Rajinder K. Koul, Ph.D. 1999 - Emily Merrill, R.N., MSN, CS, FNP
    2016 - Pearl Merritt, Ed.D., M.S., MSN, R.N., FAAN 2015 - Phillip S. Sizer, Jr., Ph.D.  

    View Previous President's Award Winners

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.

    President's Awards Official Policy Submit a nomination

    2024 President's Award Winners

    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.

    View Previous President's Award Winners

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.

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.

    Submit a Nominati\on

    View Past Honorees

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.

    Submit a Nomination

    View Past Honorees