Dr. Matthew Soltys, a staff physician at the Iowa City VA Medical Center, has been awarded the David M. Worthen Award, one of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ highest honors in health professions education.
The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to training health care professionals within the VA system, a release stated.
Named after the late Dr. David M. Worthen, the former VA head of academic affiliations, the awards are presented in three categories: Rising Star, which recognizes an early career champion of health professions education; Innovator Award, which recognizes an individual who created and is sustaining or expanding a significant educational innovation; and Career Achievement, which recognizes an outstanding health professions education champion whose lifetime contributions have profoundly advanced and impacted the education mission of VA.
Dr. Soltys was honored with the Worthen Rising Star Award for his leadership in health professions education, particularly in the areas of quality improvement and patient safety. He has developed training programs, expanded curriculum content on patient safety and leadership, and founded quarterly conferences focused on enhancing patient safety. His efforts have earned recognition at the local, regional and national levels, the release stated.
“This year’s awardees have made outstanding contributions to training the next generation of health care professionals for VA and the nation,” said Dr. Ezgi Tiryaki, acting chief of the Office of Academic Affiliations. “These clinicians embody the characteristics of excellence that continue to make VA a national leader in health professions education, and we congratulate them for their stellar achievements.”
The VA operates the largest health professions education and training program in the U.S., partnering with 95% of the nation’s medical schools and more than 1,450 colleges and universities. Each year, more than 122,000 trainees across 60 disciplines receive training at VA facilities.
