Presidential Award for Excellence Recipients

Associate Professor of Medicine

Dr. Haudek's professional journey spans cardiovascular research, biomedical education and faculty development. 

Initially focused on stem cell biology and heart failure mechanisms, Dr. Haudek's dedication to research extended to the training and mentoring of undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral and clinical research trainees. Her participation in the Master Teacher Fellowship Program (2011-2013) unveiled her passion for education, emphasizing the importance of a scientific and methodical approach to teaching and learning.

As a teacher and innovator, she has designed curricular material and implemented active learning strategies to enhance learner engagement in graduate and medical courses. Her leadership roles in the School of Medicine encompass directing a major preclinical course, facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration through programs like Teach Launch, overseeing the Henry JN Taub & James K Alexander Medical Student Research Symposium, evaluating prospective medical students, and championing faculty interests as a dedicated senator. She currently serves as the director of the foundational sciences curriculum, overseeing the implementation of the new medical curriculum at the Houston and Temple campuses, and chairs the School of Medicine Curriculum Committee. 

In the Office of Faculty Development, Dr. Haudek has been pivotal in establishing and supervising essential programs such as the Peer Coaching for Educators and Research Mentor Training programs and participates in steering the Academy of Distinguished Educators. She serves as vice chair of faculty and staff development in the Department of Medicine, emphasizing her dedication to fostering growth among her peers.

Dr. Haudek’s impact extends beyond Baylor. Since 2009, she has directed a graduate course and conducted professional development seminars at the Vienna University of Technology in Austria, her hometown. She participates in regional and national educational initiatives through the International Association of Medical Science Educators and the Texas Educator’s Academic Collaborative for Health Professions Southeast, advocating for medical education improvement.

Dr. Haudek is dedicated to advancing the quality of education and supporting the professional growth of faculty and trainees. Her commitment to scholarship is evident through publications, presentations and collaborative efforts in cardiovascular sciences and medical education. She has been recognized with three Norton Rose Fulbright Faculty Excellence Awards, two in Teaching and Evaluation and one in Educational Leadership, highlighting her outstanding contributions and profound impact in the field.

Professor of Molecular and Human Genetics

Throughout his 17-plus years as a Baylor College of Medicine faculty member, Dr. Daryl Scott has distinguished himself as a master educator whose teaching and leadership have impacted not only medical and graduate education at Baylor, but also the clinical and research missions of the College. 

Shortly after his faculty appointment, Dr. Scott began serving as a teacher and facilitator for medical and graduate students. His engaging teaching style – never behind a rostrum, out-of-the-ordinary visual aids, and an insistence on class participation – quickly won the hearts and minds of his students. Over time, he assumed positions of leadership over a variety of courses. Dr. Scott and the courses he leads are enduring student favorites as demonstrated by glowing reviews and numerous awards, including a Norton Rose Fulbright Faculty Excellence Award. 

Clinical genetics is a branch of medicine whose practice relies heavily on patient and family education. Finding traditional metaphors too cumbersome, Dr. Scott developed his own method for explaining complex genetic concepts that involved gathering family members into a half-circle and drawing pictures on a sheet of examining table paper. Residents and physicians around the world have since learned these approaches. Dr. Scott’s fluency in Spanish has endeared him to families who are able to receive complex genetic information in their native language.

Dr. Scott also engage trainees of varying skill levels. Through his highly productive research program, he has mentored high school and undergraduate students, pre- and postdoctoral trainees, medical students, genetic counseling students, residents and fellows. These learners have taken on lead roles in projects he designed to match their interests, skills and career goals. Most of these students have exited his laboratory as first authors and / or with advanced degrees and are currently training or working in medical or research-related fields. 

Being a champion of genetics outreach to all, he has provided lectures on a variety of genetic topics in English and Spanish to families and healthcare providers. As an expert in the field, he has also been called upon to train physicians in Mexico, Central America, Europe and Asia.