For 45 years, Dr. Tom Kwasigroch, recipient of East Tennessee State University’s 2024 Distinguished Faculty Award in Teaching, has guided medical students through the intricacies of medical human gross anatomy at Quillen College of Medicine. 

As technology has evolved from chalkboards to 3D imaging, Kwasigroch’s teaching philosophy has remained consistent.

“Hands-on learning is critical,” said Kwasigroch, professor in the Department of Medical Education. “We all look different on the outside and we all look different on the inside. That is why in the process of training, being able to be hands-on and the ability to do actual dissection on donors rather than only using a virtual reality product is so important.”

Kwasigroch has directed that process from Quillen’s first anatomy lab located in the former Campus Center Building on ETSU’s main campus to the current lab, which he helped design in Quillen’s Stanton-Gerber Hall, located on ETSU’s VA campus. 

In 2018, Kwasigroch envisioned another way to give medical students more hands-on experience with physical exam skills. While the students have access to state-of-the-art mannequins and standardized patients, there were still some things, such as surgical procedures, that they could not practice. 

“I really thought we should build a surgical center, a functioning, fully-equipped operating room where students could actually do surgery with guidance,” he said.

After years of fundraising and planning and with support of Dr. Bill Block, ETSU vice president for clinical affairs and dean of the Quillen College of Medicine, Quillen now has a Center for Surgical Innovation and Training. There students, medical residents, and area surgeons/clinicians can learn and practice surgical procedures in a state-of-the-art OR on anatomical donors. 

“The feeling is real, it’s just that we use our anatomical gift donors rather than live patients,” he said.

Kwasigroch’s nomination packet for the Distinguished Faculty award emphasizes his innovation in teaching coupled with his dedication to students.

He has received numerous teaching accolades throughout his academic career including two national awards, the Alpha Omega Alpha Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Award and the McCann National Award in Teaching and Mentoring. He was also honored with the Quillen Dean’s Distinguished Award, is a 15-time recipient of the Quillen Course of the Year award, a16-time recipient of the Quillen Professor of the Year award and was honored as Hooder by 15 graduating classes.

“What makes the secret sauce in his teaching efforts? It starts with his care and respect of students,” his nominators wrote. “His teaching excellence continues with his mastery of anatomy content.”

When Kwasigroch discusses outcomes with his students, he reminds them that “Teamwork makes the dreamwork.” His personal mantra is even posted over the entryway to Quillen’s medical gross anatomy lab – a room that every Quillen medical student passes through in their journey to become a physician.

To learn more about Quillen College of Medicine, visit etsu.edu/com.

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East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.

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