Fruits of the Professional Educator Appreciation and Recognition (PEAR) Awards: Learning what Students Value in Their Medical Educators.

PURPOSE

The Professional Educator Appreciation and Recognition (PEAR) awards program was created by students at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) in 2020 to recognize exemplary educators. We reviewed our 3-year experience of this initiative to identify characteristics of award-winning educators, and to assess the award's impact.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed the title, department, and clinical affiliation of award winners. Using ChatGPT, we qualitatively analyzed de-identified nomination narratives to identify themes of educator characteristics most valued by students. Following refinement by the study team, each award was then assigned one or more themes. Unsolicited thank-you emails were reviewed to consider the impact of the award upon recipients.

RESULTS

Of 202 award recipients, most were near-peers (two-thirds were assistant professors or residents). Winners were affiliated with diverse departments and disciplines. Students most valued outstanding teaching skills (36.6%), showing support by being kind, encouraging, or approachable (26.7%), and investing time in trainees via constructive feedback (26.7%). Unsolicited thank-you emails from 20% of recipients conveyed the meaning of the award for the winning educators.

CONCLUSIONS

A review of the BCM PEAR award program identified educator characteristics most valued by students, providing targets for professional development. This low-cost, high-impact initiative may enhance educator wellness and motivate professional behaviors.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-024-02234-2.