Adi Pinkas, PhD, an assistant professor of pathology, was selected as the 2023 recipient of the Harry Eagle Award for Outstanding Pre-Clerkship Teaching at Einstein.
The prestigious faculty-nominated award, named for Dr. Harry Eagle, professor and chairman of the cell biology department, founding chairman of its Biological Sciences Division, associate dean for Scientific Affairs, and founding director of its Cancer Research Center, recognizes a faculty member who is an outstanding teacher and leader in pre-clerkship education to Einstein's medical students.
Dr. Pinkas, who joined the pathology department in 2018, serves as block leader for the medical school's pre-clerkship curriculum. He's also co-director of the Clinical and Development Anatomy and Nervous System and Human Behavior courses, facilitating problem-based group sessions for first- and second-year medical students.
"I derive immense pleasure from my work at Einstein and am full of gratitude for this elating recognition," said Dr. Pinkas, whose research focuses on quality improvement in medical education.
He was nominated for the award by Priti Mishall, MD, MBBS, an associate professor in the departments of pathology and of ophthalmology and visual sciences, and co-course director of anatomy education for the MD program. She describes Dr. Pinkas as a keen course administrator, gifted educator, and inspiring leader and mentor for students, whose strong track record of outstanding teaching evaluations speaks for itself. "Receiving a 4/4 in teaching evaluations is a rare event many instructors aspire to," Dr. Mishall said.
In 2020, Dr. Pinkas was among a group of colleagues named a 'COVID-19 Hero' by Einstein's Office of Medical Education for their work as 'first responders,' helping to design, implement, and troubleshoot remote learning during the pandemic. He was twice named Teaching Star, and in 2022, he was inducted into the Leo M. Davidoff Society and received the Samuel M. Rosen Award for Outstanding Teaching (Pre-Clerkship).
Dr. Pinkas earned his master's and doctoral degrees in neurobiology from the Hebrew University in Israel. He joined Einstein in 2015 as a postdoctoral associate in the department of molecular pharmacology and was an adjunct instructor in the anatomy and structural biology department until 2018.
His passion for teaching is underscored by the students' appreciation and the many invaluable 'aha' moments, Dr. Pinkas said, and offers his mantra for success in the classroom: Be open and honest with the students, repeatedly explain why things are the way they are, and constantly ask for feedback."
Dr. Pinkas will receive the award at graduation.
Posted on: Tuesday, March 07, 2023