ATHENS — The Augusta University Libraries congratulates Julie K. Gaines, Campus Director of the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership Campus Library, on receiving two awards in February.
“I am deeply honored to receive these teaching awards and to have my efforts recognized,” Gaines said. “Over the past 15 years at the Medical Partnership, I have had the privilege of working with an incredibly dedicated team of faculty and staff.”
Gaines earned the “Medical College of Georgia 2023/24 Exemplary Teaching Award” and the “AU/UGA Medical Partnership Peer-Nominated Teaching Award for Large Group Teaching.”
The MCG Exemplary Teaching Award recognizes individuals whose quantitative student evaluation scores rank in the top 25 percent and whose qualitative student feedback highlights effective communication, engagement, resource utilization, organization, and impact on student learning. Four individuals received the AU/UGA Medical Partnership Peer-Nominated Teaching Award, while Gaines was the recipient for the large group teaching category.
Letters and support from current and former students alike were given for Gaines to receive the honor. Emily Hannan, a current student wrote “From her first session during our orientation week last year, it was evident that Ms. Gaines was passionate about assisting students in whatever ways she could as a librarian,” adding she goes “above and beyond,” and “never hesitates to help with students need additional guidance.”
Luci Cotten, MD, an AU/UGA Medical Partnership alumna, said she uses the skills Gaines taught her daily.
“Even though I graduated years ago, I am always growing as a physician because Julie truly taught me how to question, how to read, how to interpret and how to implement evidence-based medicine,” Cotten said.
According to the Awards Committee criteria, the latter award focused on effective communication in teaching, engaging teaching methods, thoughtful resource selection and well-organized sessions.
“I am truly grateful to be recognized for my contributions to medical education and the impact on our medical students’ lives,” Gaines said.
Gaines teaches evidence-based medicine and facilitates small group sessions, as well as one-on-one instruction. Although based in Athens, she plays a vital role in AU Libraries, serving on both the AU Libraries Leadership Team and the AU Libraries Faculty Assembly.
The AU/UGA Medical Partnership aims to address the state’s physician shortage and strengthen research collaborations between the two universities. According to the partnership’s website, “Students have the opportunity to learn in small group class sizes while benefiting from being part of one of the largest medical schools in the United States.”
For more information about the Medical Partnership between Augusta and the University of Georgia, click here.
