Award presented annually to standing Penn faculty
[April 5, 2017; Philadelphia, PA] – Penn Vet’s Mary Beth Callan, Professor of Medicine, has earned the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. Dr. Callan is one of eight faculty members at Penn to receive the award this spring.
Callan is a Professor of Medicine at Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital, where she also serves as Medical Director of the Penn Animal Blood Bank. Additionally, she serves as Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program, a position she has held for the last ten years. Her research interests include hematology and transfusion medicine, particularly the evaluation and management of patients with bleeding disorders.
Callan received her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Chestnut Hill College and earned her VMD from Penn Vet. She is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
“I am thrilled that Beth has earned this long-overdue recognition,” said Joan C. Hendricks, VMD, PhD, the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “She is one of the most caring and expert clinicians, and one of the most thoughtful and compassionate faculty members at Penn Vet. Beth’s clinical teaching reviews are unmatched. She epitomizes the ideals of the University’s highest teaching accolade.”
Writes one student nominator, "Dr. Callan is known for her efforts in advancing and creating interactive, dynamic courses that teach students to apply their lessons in real-world situations outside the classroom. Most importantly, Dr. Callan strives to have a strong relationship with her students, which fosters a better learning environment.”
Her students describe special moments when she took the time to clarify complex material, comfort their anxieties about managing ill patients, and strengthen their clinical skills. Callan imparts knowledge by example, while treating her patients with the utmost care and attention.
“Ever since I was an intern, Dr. Callan has been the person I consult on research, teaching, and clinical challenges, and I continue to seek her advice today,” writes one colleague. “She is always up-to-date on clinically relevant research, her knowledge is vast and cutting-edge, and her input is uniformly important and wise.”
Generations of students and colleagues attest that her “strong, quiet presence, impeccable professional conduct and moral standing, simple practicality, wisdom, and adherence to excellence, will continue to guide and educate us all for many years to come.”
The Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching at the University of Pennsylvania was established in 1961 with the help of the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation. Christian Lindback was president and principal owner of Abbotts Dairies, Inc. and a trustee of Bucknell University. The Foundation established Lindback Awards for Distinguished Teaching at colleges and universities throughout Abbotts Dairies, Inc.’s service area in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia.
Penn gives out eight Lindback awards each year, four to those in health-related disciplines and four to those in other departments and divisions. Award winners are determined by nominations and recommendations made by faculty and students based on detailed criteria.
The winners of the award are chosen by two separate committees – one in the health schools and one in the non-health schools – consisting of six previous award winners and four students.